'CATS: The Jellicle Ball' at PAC reviews- Page 15

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 1:14pm

I would go with runway over the back orchestra (though you wouldn't want to get much higher in the runway numbers; may put you too close to that wall and you might miss one thing).

Here's a photo from the orchestra in that area. Seems like it would feel a lot farther.
https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/286365/PAC+NYC/section-Orchestra/row-L/seat-14/

Updated On: 8/2/24 at 01:14 PM

[MezzA101]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 2:19pm

Broadway star Andre de Shields on the reimagined ''Cats," his 50-year theater career and more - Gothamist

 

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/cats-gets-another-life-at-downtown-theater-and-star-andr%C3%A9-de-shields-is-ready-for-destiny

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 8:10am

I finally saw this last night and it really does live up to the hype around it. So many creative choices that really serve the material in surprising ways. I think it's easier to point out the few flaws than to try to list all of the positives with this one. For me, 'Memory' was the big disappointment. I understand the decision to cast an actual ballroom legend, versus a someone known for musical theater - but it resulted in a Memory that lacked the vocal power I feel the song needs to really land. I also thought the lighting during that song to lack any kind of atmosphere.

My other critique was the handling up her ascent during Heaviside Layer. I felt like again, I wanted a bigger 'magical moment' with lighting / dry ice. Something as simple as blinding light and fog pouring out of the open doorway as she walks up the staircase would have done wonders. I also thought some of the projections on the large windows didn't work as well as it could. The projections looked too dim so they didn't the impact they should.

Other than that I really loved virtually every choice that was made, and these issues may be corrected if this transfers. Also - Isaac Mizrahi was in the audience last night which was kinda neat :)

Updated On: 8/4/24 at 08:10 AM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 8:34am

FANtomFollies said: "I finally saw this last night and it really does live up to the hype around it. So many creative choices that really serve the material in surprising ways. I think it's easier to point out the few flaws than to try to list all of the positives with this one. For me, 'Memory' was the big disappointment. I understand the decision to cast an actual ballroom legend, versus a someone known for musical theater - but it resulted in a Memory that lackedthe vocal power I feel the song needs to really land. I also thought the lighting during that song to lack any kind of atmosphere.

My other critique was the handling up her ascent during Heaviside Layer. I felt like again, I wanted a bigger 'magical moment' with lighting / dry ice. Something as simple as blinding light and fog pouring out of the open doorway as she walks up the staircase would have done wonders. I also thought some of the projections on the large windows didn't work as well as it could. The projections looked too dim so they didn't the impact they should.

Other than that I really loved virtually every choice that was made, and these issues may be corrected if this transfers."

Agree with this completely. Memory was the only disappointment for me. If they transfer, that’s the only role I’d like to see switched. Sorry to the performer.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 8:54am

Would you rather have Leona Lewis gasping for air ? 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 9:11am

I care less about a belted vocal and more about someone who’s going to make me feel that song. Didn’t see Leona, but if she didn’t make me feel it, I wouldn’t want her either.

[windowwaving]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 10:50am

FANtomFollies said: "I finally saw this last night and it really does live up to the hype around it. So many creative choices that really serve the material in surprising ways. I think it's easier to point out the few flaws than to try to list all of the positives with this one. For me, 'Memory' was the big disappointment. I understand the decision to cast an actual ballroom legend, versus a someone known for musical theater - but it resulted in a Memory that lackedthe vocal power I feel the song needs to really land. I also thought the lighting during that song to lack any kind of atmosphere.

My other critique was the handling up her ascent during Heaviside Layer. I felt like again, I wanted a bigger 'magical moment' with lighting / dry ice. Something as simple as blinding light and fog pouring out of the open doorway as she walks up the staircase would have done wonders. I also thought some of the projections on the large windows didn't work as well as it could. The projections looked too dim so they didn't the impact they should.

Other than that I really loved virtually every choice that was made, and these issues may be corrected if this transfers. Also - Isaac Mizrahi was in the audience last night which was kinda neat :)"

Agree 100% on all of this when I saw it. I was hoping for just a little more for ‘Memory.’ Still enjoyed it enough though. 

And I wished the projections were brighter. I was very impressed by the overall lighting of the production but I think it might’ve affected the brightness of the projections. This may be solved if they used actual screens or maybe if they had more walls to project on. I sat in the orchestra section behind the judge’s table and I almost never really paid attention to what was happening on the projections even though it may have been a key part of what was happening in the show. 
 

But like you said, minor things for an otherwise practically perfect production!

[TheSecretArden]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 1:49pm

Just wanted to note that I’ve seen the production twice, once with Tempress Chasity Moore and once with her understudy Garnet Williams. With Moore, I felt the “Memory” staging fell flat. With Williams, I found myself a puddle in my seat. Her performance was remarkable.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 5:40pm

Updated On: 8/4/24 at 05:40 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 5:40pm

Was going to say the exact opposite. Moore was out the first time I saw it so Williams was in as Grizabella. I thought her "Memory" was just...fine and I felt nothing. When she hit the "Touch me..." line it just didn't soar vocally or have the impact it needed to. I saw Moore the second time and I thought her "Memory" was better, though still not overwhelming.

I did prefer Williams's acting in the pre-Memory bits to Moore's though.

eta: I'm not familiar with either performer or their histories.

Updated On: 8/4/24 at 05:40 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 6:21pm

I saw Tempress early in the run, on the night before opening, and I thought her "Memory" was thrilling, as was the rest of the production. It's very possible that some vocal fatigue has set in.

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 6:57pm

TaffyDavenport said: "I saw Tempress early in the run, on the night before opening, and I thought her "Memory" was thrilling, as was the rest of the production. It's very possible that some vocal fatigue has set in."

Nah, I think it's more a case of different strokes.... I saw her at the third preview and for me her vocal performance was the only disappointing thing in this otherwise amazing production.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 7:40pm

I'll also add I saw Leona Lewis and found her performance to be no better than Chasity Moore's. Part of the problem may be that we've all heard so many incredible versions of that song so the bar is just set so high. To hear it sung by even a very good singer is probably going to be disappointing to my ear. I want to hear an insane vocal talent - someone on the level of Heather Headley. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 8:24pm

FANtomFollies said: "I'll also add I saw Leona Lewis and found her performance to be no better than Chasity Moore's. Part of the problem may be that we've all heard so many incredible versions of that song so the bar is just set so high.To hear it sung by even a very good singer is probably going to be disappointing to my ear. I want to hear an insane vocal talent -someone on the level of Heather Headley."

And Chasity is very talented. 

I honestly feel like this version gives more raw emotion and depth to the character and isn’t just the belt-your-bra off moment that everyone waits for.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 9:52pm

I saw Moore and was very moved by her performance and the weight the production gives to this conception of Grizabella. She sounds great, even if she’s not deploying the big vocal fireworks others have. 

[pair-o-dice]

Posted: 8/5/24 at 6:58pm

I have two tix for 8/11 at 3pm I'm selling - face value. Row EE123 and EE125; $158 each.

Have seen the show once from almost identical seats and they were pretty purrfect.

DM if interested.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/6/24 at 10:37pm

Some of the cast is leaving this Sunday, including Shereen Pimentel and Shelby Griswold.

Not sure who else is leaving but I can’t imagine it would be many more since it’s only 2 more weeks, and the rehearsal for that length of time wouldn’t be cost effective 

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/7/24 at 5:16pm

quizking101 said: "Some of the cast is leaving this Sunday, including Shereen Pimentel and Shelby Griswold.

Not sure who else is leaving but I can’t imagine it would be many more since it’s only 2 more weeks, and the rehearsal for that length of time wouldn’t be cost effective"

Pimentel is incredible, I wonder if she's doing Gypsy after all.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/7/24 at 5:48pm

blaxx said: "quizking101 said: "Some of the cast is leaving this Sunday, including Shereen Pimentel and Shelby Griswold.

Not sure who else is leaving but I can’t imagine it would be many more since it’s only 2 more weeks, and the rehearsal for that length of time wouldn’t be cost effective"

Pimentel is incredible, I wonder if she's doing Gypsy after all."


shes doing wss somewhere 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/7/24 at 7:26pm

WldKingdomHM said: "shes doing wss somewhere"

Houston Grand Opera, directed by Francesca Zambello.

She'll finally get to sing I FEEL PRETTY ;)

[sorano916]

Posted: 8/9/24 at 7:51am

Last night (8/8) was Antwayn's final performance as Macavity. According to his Instagram Stories, he got another gig out of state. I'm assuming it's a film or TV gig. Happy trails to him! 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/9/24 at 10:39am

I mean, losing principle players when you have very little coverage... maybe that's why they're going on the short hiatus?

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 12:01am

TheatreFan4 said: "I mean, losing principle players when you have very little coverage... maybe that's why they're going on the short hiatus?"

Yeah. I got that confirmed tonight. They are getting two days off after tomorrow, but then they are spending the next week and a half teching/rehearsing/preparing new tracks. I know one of the new understudies just started rehearsing last week. It makes me wonder how many people will be leaving entirely but I was told most people didn’t think the third extension would happen so they were preparing.

Also, from what I heard, Antwayn’s departure was very sudden and nobody else knew it was happening until it did. I will say that I saw Primo as his understudy tonight and…oof. Primo is highly talented, but they are NOT Macavity. Antwayn had so much light and shade with his energetic portrayal and commanding voice - neither of which Primo had. They were about as fierce as my morning cornflakes, sadly.

Also, I sat in front orchestra, different from my usual runway side, and I can confirm that Sydney James Harcourt is still an ABsolute UNIT from any angle. Purr.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 12:25am

Felt the SAME about Primo.  Hopefully they re-cast Maccavity stronger for the upcoming extension.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 10:50am

I was honestly surprised it was Primo, but I guess Dominique Lee might have been unavailable and the configuration of absences may have merited they go on.

I’m going again today, so we shall see.