'CATS: The Jellicle Ball' at PAC reviews — Page 18

However much they’re paying Baby Byrne, it isn’t enough. Incredible in her usual track, plus being dance captain where there’s arguably more dancing than the original Cats, AND she was sensational as Skimbleshanks tonight. 

Looking at the set layout, I’d imagine they’d want a Broadway house where the rears of the mezzanine and balcony can still see the throne/judges’ table. It really will depend on where the upstage entrance and “glass windows” are placed, but as it stands I think even placing the upstage entrance several feet upstage of the proscenium would lead to sight line issues for rear mezz and rear balcony in many/most theaters with regard to the throne area.
Unless they shorten the runway and I certainly can’t see that happening. 

Updated On: 9/1/24 at 11:31 PM

Baby was on as Skimbleshanks again this afternoon and OH MY GOD. As many times as I’ve seen this, I am still gagged at the surprises that I happen upon each time.

I won’t spoil her choreo move, but that took some MAJOR strength, practice and effort to master

That was an amazing moment last night. The crowd screamed for her!

BorisTomashevsky said: "However much they’re paying Baby Byrne, it isn’t enough. Incredible in her usual track, plus beingdance captain where there’s arguably more dancing than the original Cats, AND she was sensational as Skimbleshanks tonight.

Lookingat the set layout, I’d imagine they’d want a Broadway house where the rears of the mezzanine and balcony can still see the throne/judges’ table. It really will depend on where the upstage entrance and “glass windows” are placed, but as it stands I think even placing the upstage entranceseveral feet upstage of the proscenium would lead to sight line issues for rear mezz and rear balcony in many/most theaters with regard to the throne area.
Unless they shorten the runway and I certainly can’t see that happening."

Remember also he’s not at the judges table 100 percent of the show. He moves around and lingers in the audience 

Marway44 said: "Saw the show and as a diehard Cats fan expected to hate it, but walked away in awe and want to see it again!!!

But I missed something. Can someone please tell me what they did in the finale when they said a cat is not a dog? The audience laughed but I looked away at Andre.


Thanks in advance!"

The lyric itself is relatively humorous in context, but also the cast tends to make a sassy face or pose during that moment. (I was sitting at the back of the runway in the Tugger seat)

I loved the experience more than i loved the show.

 

Just got the email that the show is cancelled tonight due to cast illness and the full run is completely sold out. Gutted considering this is another cancellation post the extension due to cancellations.

It does seem odd, but I also recall on Sunday, there was (or almost was) an all-skate of swings/covers.

One thing worth noting is that on Wednesday afternoon, Kendall Grayson Stroud (Electra) wasn’t at curtain call or around during the second half of the show (though they don’t have any arc). 

It may just happen to be a combination of main/swings out for a role that can’t be combined.

quizking101 said: "It does seem odd, but I also recall on Sunday, there was (or almost was) an all-skate of swings/covers.

One thing worth noting is that on Wednesday afternoon, Kendall Grayson Stroud (Electra) wasn’t at curtain call or around during the second half of the show (though they don’t have any arc).

It may just happen to be a combination of main/swings out for a role that can’t be combined."

Interesting, the understudy for Electra was on Wed night. 

Intermission and it's so fire. Andre is really having fun and loosened up since I saw him early in the run. NPH and Phylicia Rashad are here. James Monroe Iglehart sitting in front of me. Very packed night. 

Get a hobby. 

The show was just so amazing, everyone really fell into their roles. Being so much closer this time allowed you absorb the details of it all.

Also, when did Primo leave the show? There was a slip in the playbill today, but he was there to Guest Judge. Injury?

Updated On: 9/8/24 at 06:22 PM

The8re phan said: "was hoping we'd hear an announcement/confirmation of what, where and when......"

Next steps for this production are not confirmed, but there will be a next step of sorts. 

sorano916 said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "Scrimping on covers by hiring the bare minimum? A costly mistake."

On social and on the website, they seemed to have removed "cast" before "illness" so it might be more backstage and crewmembers than cast."

Whatever the reason, it is very clear that the PAC lacked the producing and general management infrastructure to properly mount a show of this scale. From the canceled performances because of lack of coverage to the break ahead of the final extension because things hadn't been planned out enough in advance. These people should know better, but the problems are not unexpected of a new organization.

Hopefully they've taken away the proper lessons from this production to inform their future work...and hopefully this show has a future life to give PAC a bit of a financial cushion.

(I'm sure they're also regretting the asinine escalator/elevator/stairs situation of the building's architecture, but nothing to be done there.)

Updated On: 9/8/24 at 08:54 PM