CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews — Page 8

MadsonMelo said: "Aside from André, who else do you think can get a Tony nom for this?

Will be seeing this one on May 9."

I think Tempress Chasity Moore is the most likely. I also would not rule out Sydney Harcourt because they’ve definitely beefed up his stage time from off-Broadway.

One thing to note is that you won’t find CATS competing for the undercard awards (OCCs, DDs) since they’ve already competed last year and so likely only new elements (of which there aren’t many) would be considered. Same with TITANIQUE.

The newer musicals will have their own little buzz period, but I expect CATS to clear the board in most categories for nominations. (Revival, F. Actor, F. Actress, Costumes, Lighting, Sound, Orchestrations, Choreography)

I scored a late afternoon rush ticket the other evening. The seat was Orchestra, House Left and noted it was a partial/obstructed view seat. For the most part, it was a pretty good view of most of the performing area, but any action that happened on the Stage Right audience section and stairs was obscured. You also do not have any view of the DJ in the booth/House Left Box. I'm not sure if the viewpoint would be similar from House Right, but Gus spends a great deal of time lording over the proceedings from a Box on the right side of the Mezzanine + more stage business happens Stage Left.

I don’t think it really matters if you’re in the first two or three rows.

As someone who saw it multiple times downtown, from the right mezz seats by the dj and both the left and right sides of the runway, I found the Broadway staging disappointing, which may have been due to my seat. I wanted to do side mezz but my friend wanted more of a deal, so we did side right orchestra, either row F or G, on the end for $59. The view was fine, but after the downtown experience of feeling immersed in the show, this felt very distant, very much watching something happening away from me, even though we could see most of it clearly and the cast members were using a curtain a few feet away. It may not feel that way if you didn't see the PAC staging so are experiencing it for the first time, but if you have, I'd recommend avoiding the far side orchestra.

YvanEhtNioj said: "The fact that they removed the makeout sessionbetween RTT and MMMis homophobic lol. I was looking forward to it so much."

The one letdown lol

I just got out and this last year and a half has done Tempress's voice so f*cking good. She legitimately sounded amazing tonight.

Ahhhh that’s valid.

I was watching Leiomy bop around in her bob tonight and I was like... Sasha Colby could be Macavity...

Michael9 said: "I hope we get a cast recording of these arrangements!"

They were recording this week or last week apparently. A few cast members posted pictures.

Alexander Lamar said: "What do we think…is there a chance this could win best revival? I thought Ragtime had it wrapped up…."

CATS should be the frontrunner. RAGTIME is wonderful, but the show isn't reinvented in any way. CATS is a completely different take from the original.

Just a question? Does the POSING get repetitive and boring , Cats in itself is repetitive musically so I cant understand how this sustains interest after the first 10 or 15 minutes of being wowed by the moves. The version of MEMORY is spectacular , I was surprised how good it was sung. I am curious if this is just something people love of just feel they have to love to seem cool...thanks for any responses. I want to see this so bad to see for myself

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Loved this in both venues but thought it actually worked better at the PAC where the runway could be the star of the show. Somehow the staging felt more chaotic on Broadway."

I didn't see this at the PAC, but I also used the word "chaotic" back when I posted my initial thoughts. There was just A LOT going on at any given moment, and I found it hard to know where to focus my attention at times - sounds like I'm in the minority with that take though.

bwayphreak234 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Loved this in both venues but thought it actually worked better at the PAC where the runway could be the star of the show. Somehow the staging felt more chaotic on Broadway."

I didn't see this at the PAC, but I also used the word "chaotic" back when I posted my initial thoughts. There was just A LOT going on at any given moment, and I found it hard to know where to focus my attention at times - sounds like I'm in the minority with that take though."

I think that’s more or less the point. At an actual ball, there might be a place to focus briefly, but everything everywhere is going on all at once. You’ll have people drinking, throwing shade in the corner, getting dressed, kiki-ing with others, etc. That’s also what makes repeat trips from different vantage points a positive is that you’ll always see something new.

Re: bryan2’s question about the choreo - it is far more than “posing”. Ballroom is a variety of categories, that can include everything from old and new way voguing, to runway walking, to very intricate and athletic choreography. Arturo and Omari, both coming from ballroom, know exactly the right language to keep the show true to its ballroom roots while honoring the balletic spirit of the original production and balance the two in the theatrical idiom.