Cats (or shall I say) Humans - The Musical- Page 2

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 8:53pm

I have not read a review like this since...
I won't say, but if Corine ever needs help at the Corner...she need not look any further:

To say that this version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is better than the original staging of the hit show, would not be an exaggeration. In the original the actors wore tights that had designs on them to make them look more catlike. I never thought that they looked like Cats, but more like aliens...

They’ve taken the dreariness out of it and made it a fun playhouse for those mischief minded cats. The classroom is a Cat’s dream house. There are all kinds of curvy and round things, besides every cats delight high places for the cats to lounge or jump on.



Director Andrew Holtz has done a “Wizards” job with this musical. There is the usual Cat characters from the original, “Rum Tum Tugger” and others. But Holtz has added others. Into the Cat mix is a bunch of Cat Kids. These are really young people in a myriad of Costumes that look like they came right out of a “Harry Potter” story. This fits perfectly into the Classroom set, as the kids, being very agile, cavort around the stage. Some wear Capes, one is a magician and one looks like Johnny Depp. I have to say…even real Cats would be endlessly entertained by the magic of it all. I know this, because I live with one.

The music is the same as in the original “Cats,”, which was based on T.S Eliot’s "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” In fact, when the Willows leased the rights to the show – they only got the songs sent to them. Since there basically is no dialogue, the Willows were able to improvise the show, as long as it didn’t tinker with the music. And Holtz has run with it, and given us a Biff! Pow! Wham! Evening. Take the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter and Babes in Arms, mix them all up together and toss them on the stage and you don’t get Kitty Litter. What you get is the Willows re-imagining of “Cats.” When they produce a new version again on Broadway – this is the one they should model it after.




In this show you will be dazzled by a Costume Ball, some really great dancing, puppet show, light Hip Hop and a skull and bones on a pirate ship plus a snow princess who sings “Memory” at the end of the show as she leaves for Cat Heaven in a puff of mist. Actually it’s a duet with older Grizabella (Barbara Grant) and young Grizabella – (Brandy Collazo.) Usually this song is so sad – that you want to leave the theater and commit suicide. However, the Director has managed to make going to Cat Paradise when you die – not so bad. I doubt if young children will really know what is happening. But, one thing that I know for sure is that the song will stick in your mind forever. It’s gorgeous.



Mariana Cassia-Rowland has created by perfect Scenic Design, Robert Anderson’s Lighting was great and the Costume Design by Robin Speer is a total wonder.



It all comes down to this: This “Cats” is MORE fun. The stage blossoms with talent and imagination. It was like watching a stirring ‘Wide Screen’ version of “Cats”. And finally – “you’ll be hooked”!

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! –trademarked- (highest Rating)


Wow, I hope it tours!

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 08:53 PM

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:14pm

Once you've said "Biff! Bam! Pow!" about a show, why bother to say anything else.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:17pm

In this show you will be dazzled by a Costume Ball, some really great dancing, puppet show, light Hip Hop and a skull and bones on a pirate ship

Hey, she stole that quote from the In My Life review!

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:20pm

In fact, when the Willows leased the rights to the show – they only got the songs sent to them. Since there basically is no dialogue, the Willows were able to improvise the show, as long as it didn’t tinker with the music.

Really?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:21pm

There are all kinds of curvy and round things

Hey, she stole THAT quote from the The Times They Are A-Changin' review.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:41pm

Could someone explain the poster to me?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:43pm

Oh, look, for the Christmas show they are doing the musical version of Sr. Mary Ignatius! Look at all the little angels...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 10:05pm

The poster is what happens after you eat a Klimt print and then go all bulemic.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 1:38pm

Grizabella looks like Edina Monsoon from Ab Fab.

Midnight, sweetie.
Not a bloody buggery sound from the pavement, dahling.
I mean, has the moon lost her memory or something? HMM?
She is smiling there all alone, for God's sake, dahling.



GOD, I have to see this.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 1:43pm

Haha, Besty, I love that.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 1:52pm

Too bad they didn't send Pat Craig! That might've been amusing...
Contra Costa Times review

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 1:53pm

Oh, never mind.
They did!

[sit&dither]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 3:06pm

From Lizzie's first Contra Costa Times review post:

"Here the song "Memories" becomes a touching tribute to life..."

I do love that old favorite "Memories." As if the glowing tone itself wasn't enough to cast doubt on the review...

[maninchair.com]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 4:30pm

Speakng of regional productions of Cats...

I'm not sure where this production was done, but you have to watch this clip of Mr. Mistoffelees.

God love 'im...

Hat tip to [title of show] blog for finding it.
And We All Said...

[Taka]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 4:37pm

maninchair, that was. . . so. . .wrong yet so right. I so wish I saw that production so I could've gotten a good laugh.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 4:54pm

"Presto!"

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/1/07 at 2:45pm

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1496977