Cats - Lynne Unhappy with Hiring

In case any one was interested.


https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/CATS-Choreographer-Gillian-Lynne-Very-Angry-Over-Blankenbuehler-Hiring-20160608



Personally, prior to Blankenbuehler's announcement, I thought Bergasse would have been a great option. Say what you want about the choreography, but one thing I really enjoyed was the great technique that was highlighted by the moves. I'm not sure if I have seen that in Blakenbuehler's work, because most of it seems to be grounded in hip hop (and I honestly can't remember every show that I have seen of his). Of course, I haven't seen Bandstand to see what he did with that show.



Still, I'm interested to see what Andy does and maybe see a new side of his choreographing.

Updated On: 6/8/16 at 07:53 AM

....isn't the purpose of a revival to change things up and take the content in a new direction?

Cats will still be Cats without her.



Her choreography isn't nearly as iconic as Fosse or Robbins and many of their shows have had very successful revivals.

I disagree she is a large reason why the show worked and became a success. Also, isnt he just reworking her choreography instead of a whole new take? Thats a bit of a slap in the face

Ms. Lynne needs to find her chill.

Haha. She needs to calm down with her dramatics. Why shouldn't they change the choreography of a 35 year old show? Almost every revival restages the show. The show needs a new air anyway. It's very dated,

Updated On: 6/8/16 at 08:58 AM

Since the entire original creative team was asked back except for her I think she has a right to be miffed. Especially since Blankenbuehler is only adapting her choreography. This is just more Webber backstabbing.

Sounds like someone is bitter that she was not hired back. Which is understandable, but she would have been better off taking the high road. She may be right that Andy is not the best choice to adapt her choreography. But if that is the case, the work will speak for itself.

I am looking forward to seeing what Andy does with Cats. I gotta believe that he can do "feline." Also, I think it was a smart move to hire him, as that increases the chances that the "crazed Hamilfans" (and I include myself in that category) go see the show.

Didn't the rap number precede Hamilton?

Reality check: Gillian Lynne is 90 years old. She was not gonna be hired.

Except in some cocooned non-profit situation, we need to get over the idea that revivals are about faithfully reproducing the original. Revivalists have one goal: selling tickets. Theatre is ephemeral, and so is the work one does in the theatre, no matter how hard one fights for a different reality. An artist who wants their work to live on indefinitely needs to find a different medium.

I suspect her anger lies in the fact that this IS a recreation production.

It features the original creative team recreating the original staging, except that Blankenbuehler will be 'rethinking' her work. I also suspect her anger may have to do with how she was treated and told about the decision the producers made to bring in someone else to rework her choreography.

This has nothing to do with the fact that she herself is (a miraculous 90). I'm sure there have been many assistants and associates over the years who have re-created her work.

I've never been an enormous fan of Ms. Lynne's choreography for CATS, but I'm not sure I can agree that it isn't distinct. I think perhaps the reason that the producers want to rework the dance for CATS is because her work IS so distinct -- its also very of its time; and looks, now, more 1980s jazz-modern than contemporary feline.

I do wish the producers had taken the opportunity to completely rethink the entire show and give us a completely new vision of CATS with a complete brand new creative team. The fact that this is essentially a recreation production may fuel nostalgia for those who saw it originally, but its not likely to win over those who are now rather embarrassed by the sensation it caused when it first opened...

Lol why is Hamilton brought into every single thread. The rap number was in the show before Hamilton was even off Broadway. Andy is a talented tony award winning chorographer who has been nominated 4 times. I highly doubt most of the Hamilton crazed people care if a musical has the same choreographer as Hamilton.

On the other hand if the entire team has been brought back except for her then she does have a right to be angry but her wording is a bit dramatic. And she is 90 years old which is a probably a reason she wasn't brought back.