'CATS: The Jellicle Ball' at PAC reviews- Page 16

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 11:22am

quizking101 said: "I was honestly surprised it was Primo, but I guessDominique Lee might have beenunavailable and the configuration of absences may have merited they go on.

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

Come say hi I’ll be in CC runway 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 7:49pm

The show is to die for! Get tickets now. Andres entrance is stunning and had the audience in his palm. Moores memory was beautiful and I was not expecting her character to make an entrance like that. 

This is the show to see. 10 out of 10

the only issue I had was I wish they raised the disco ball during the overture 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 8/11/24 at 11:39pm

Caught this today since I bought a ticket when this was supposed to be closing night, and while they extended, I think a lot of people did the same thing as the energy was fantastic.  It's fun to see the audience react in different ways at different moments and how the cast feeds off that energy.  Both Magical Mister Mistoffelees and Memory got standing ovations (in addition to the obligatory standing ovation for Andre de Shields's entrance).

Primo was on for Macavity (as mentioned in a previous post), with Bryce Farris as Tumblebrutus, and Shelby Griswold was also on for Victoria.  I didn't so much mind Primo in his first appearance, as I think he took a different approach to the character than Antwayn Hopper did (leaning a little more pert/cheeky), but it seemed like during his number he was trying to replicate what Antwayn did and he just didn't have the same stature or type presence for it, and I don't know that he fully pulled off the guilt/emotional conflict after Deuteronomy is taken away.

Baby as Victoria was one of my favorite performers to watch when I saw the show before, but I thought it was really interesting to see. Shelby Griswold play her, as she has a completely different body type and mannerisms.  The opening solo after Jellicle Songs was particularly fun, and Munkustrap wished her happy trails during curtain call (along with Shereen Pimentel) so I assume it's also her last day in the company.

I know it's unlikely but I wish this show could somehow just exist in perpetuity in this space.  I'm going to be so sad when it closes.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/12/24 at 9:12am

Echo everything from the previous post from the most part. The energy shift from Saturday night to yesterday was seismic.

Shelby Griswold absolutely ATE DOWN her track and it didn’t look like she missed a beat and I was thoroughly impressed. I still couldn’t get behind Primo as Macavity since we already have our share of “cheeky” cats. I do hope either Antwayn returns for the extension (possible but I’m leaning unlikely) or they cast someone full time.

I will say that there were murmurs of yet another extension beyond 9/8, but more of cast will depart after 9/8 (including Andre)

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 1:40pm

New Cast Members Announcement! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-sr-qYuewE/?igsh=cW5qYzE1emY1ZmF0

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 1:58pm

This is great news.  Antwayn will be missed - but Roderick will be equally fantastic, no doubt.... Primo can cover parts they're more suited for. 

Updated On: 8/17/24 at 01:58 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 4:16pm

Rodrick is perfect. Full stop.

Although I do wonder why they are going with a tenor when Antwayn was all low notes

[nycward]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:42pm

I was told that tonight's performance (8/15) was cancelled. Was that true?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:47pm

nycward said: "I was told that tonight's performance (8/15) was cancelled. Was that true?"

Well yeah that's true, but only because they've been on a rehearsal break until 8/22 for the new extension. Last show was 8/11.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:47pm

nycward said: "I was told that tonight's performance (8/15) was cancelled. Was that true?"

No. There was never a performance scheduled for tonight. 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 12:03am

So...is it just me, or does the addition of four understudies to the cast indicate to anyone else that they might extend again? Because while yes, they obviously needed additional coverage to prevent further cancelled performances...but does the increase of such a large number maybe indicate that they may have more than 2 weeks of performances in which to need the coverage?

 

...I hope?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 12:51am

If Andre does leave after the 8th (tho he is not the star of the show), I think they'll just fold it for now. Sunset is likely to end up a limited engagement so It'll be gone by next season and Cats can open in the fall of 2025. 

Antwayn seemed very optimistic in his stories when leaving that he would be back.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 12:51 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 6:54am

ChairinMain said: "So...is it just me, or does the addition of four understudies to the cast indicate to anyone else that they might extend again? Because while yes, they obviously needed additional coverage to prevent further cancelled performances...but does the increase of such a large number maybe indicate that they may have more than 2 weeks of performances in which to need the coverage?

Possibly. But as I was made aware by one of the new cast, they only so far know that they are just doing the 2.5 weeks of the extension to prevent any further cancellations. Much like “Oh Mary”, nobody was expecting this to become a critical smash hit that keeps on extending.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 7:16am

Andre has so much presence and it wouldn’t work without him. They need a star with presence. Hope if it does transfer with him in the cast. We’ll see 

[inception]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 9:13am

WldKingdomHM said: "Andre has so much presence and it wouldn’t work without him. They need a star with presence. Hope if it does transfer with him in the cast. We’ll see"

Oprah Winfrey would make a good Deuteronomy.  Maybe if they ever decide to make a film of Cats.

[malcs98]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:17pm

TheatreFan4 said: "If Andre does leave after the 8th (tho he is not the star of the show), I think they'll just fold it for now. Sunset is likely to end up a limited engagement so It'll be gone by next season and Cats can open in the fall of 2025.

Antwayn seemed very optimistic in his stories when leaving that he would be back."

I have heard from an insider who knows people in the production that the show is indeed going to Broadway...the cast members who made their debuts with this show (particularly the folks that come from the ballroom world) just joined Actor's Equity...Would not be surprised if they announce one last extension considering that it's sold out on PAC's website...One thing I have heard tho, it's not going into Circle in the Square

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:41pm

I still think Winter Garden. It’s synonymous with Cats, and I think the shape of it works, but it’ll be interesting to see how this translates to a bigger space.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:46pm

inception said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Andre has so much presence and it wouldn’t work without him. They need a star with presence. Hope if it does transfer with him in the cast. We’ll see"

Oprah Winfrey would make a good Deuteronomy. Maybe if they ever decide to make a film of Cats."

…I really can’t tell if this is a troll comment or a joke that just landed with a thud.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 3:59pm

DramaTeach said: "I still think Winter Garden. It’s synonymous with Cats, and I think the shape of it works, but it’ll be interesting to see how this translates to a bigger space."

The winter garden is not just a proscenium house it is the type of proscenium house that can't be anything else. Plus back to the future shows no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. 

[inception]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 4:04pm

Oprah = I'm serious

Second sentence = joke landing with a thud

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 4:15pm

54 would great amazing for this. Stick the tables back and we are good to go

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 4:21pm

This show could work pretty well in a proscenium house without the type of modifications done for HLL or Cabaret:

• The runway at PAC appears to be about 50 feet long x 13 feet wide. (just basing this on typical seat width, maybe I'm a little off)
• Broadway stage depths range from 40' (Imperial) to 44' (WG) to 57' (Broadway). Proscenium widths of about 40 feet.
• You could achieve a runway by killing the first few rows of orchestra (if needed) and sitting audience onstage facing the runway, in rows and/or at high-priced cabaret tables. Basically, a longer/skinnier version of what was done for Ivo's View from the Bridge.
• Maybe they have to kill some side orch seats for sightlines, maybe not.
• They'd need to figure out the Judges location.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 04:21 PM

[Skip23]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 9:47pm

DramaTeach said: "The winter garden is not just a proscenium house it is the type of proscenium house that can't be anything else. "



Tell that to Hal Prince, who produced PACIFIC OVERTURES there with a hanamachi (runway) extending out into the audience. And the producers of ROCKY who extended a boxing ring out into the orchestra.

Updated On: 8/16/24 at 09:47 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/18/24 at 5:39pm

It definitely feels like they're on the cusp of announcing something...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-0ga7APrqD/?igsh=ZzJtZWgzbHZuNjIw

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 8/18/24 at 5:41pm

TheatreFan4 said: "It definitely feels like they're on the cusp of announcing something...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-0ga7APrqD/?igsh=ZzJtZWgzbHZuNjIw"

It could be but also could just be the cast switch ? I’m not sure if all of the cast featured are the ones leaving.