Cats Previews — Page 6

On the other hand, when ALW approached Prince to direct it, Prince asked if it was a metaphor for for post Victorian England and its society. ALW replied "Hal, it's about •cats•".

But of course I agree with Blaxx point.

And yet, we know T.S. Eliot lived among these people and humanized the animal in order to include the social criticism behind his affection for felines. Some of my favorite parts of the poems are those that include specific locations (Tottenham Court, The Russell Hotel, The Night Mail Train, Victoria Grove, etc.) which serve as a reference to understand where these people, uh cats, come from and where they stand within their tribe.

It is a piece with a lot of layers.

Of course those who again, take it at face value, won't find much humor in the missing Woolworth pearls, the servant/ nanny taming the group of cockroaches, or how The Flying Squad can't handle a cat's criminal actions.

It's good to know a bit of what you're going to see in order to fully appreciate it.

Updated On: 7/15/16 at 07:32 PM

Smaxie said: "EricMontreal, I am sure you are right in your analysis of the Mistoffelees backstory. It brings a wonderfully dark pathos previously missing from the number. I must admit one thing does puzzle me, and I wonder if you can lend your critical eye: who is Mistoffelees repeatedly saluting?



"

I have seen that debated many times, and I have never been satisfied with the answer. The one that makes the most sense to me is it is a heartfelt salute to Tumblebrutus, the kindly cat-orderly who helped with his escape and died at the hands of Macavity during the attempt. I have heard that there is further backstory that while Mistoffelees was in the ward, Tumblebrutus was his lover, and offered him kindness, and while he was tortured, told him to "be strong like a soldier and remember me by saluting"--so, while the dance routine is devastating due to his delusion, we know that he is doing it for the cat he loved. It's a very touching way to show the audience that at least a part of him has survived and is happy. (Please don't get me started about the symbolism of his just only barely being able to make it under the ribon the other cats hold for him to run under...)

"How is it big praise, considering his taste?"

You're the last person to be disparaging anyone else's taste.

You see, I don't read comic books; nor do I put The Wild Party on the same level as Porgy and Bess.

>Please don't get me started about the symbolism of his just only barely being able to make it under the ribon the other cats hold for him to run under...<

That is truly the most heartbreaking moment of the entire performance. Misftoffelees being unable to cross under the rainbow-colored ribbon is reminder of the time he spent as a kitten, trapped in the closet and denying his true proclivities. Some take it as he is being smacked in the face by the homosexual agenda, but I think the creative team would never stoop to such blatant symbolism.

trpguyy said: "Oh come on man, no Spoiler Alert?!?!?



Sorry, trpguyy. I guess it's a great thing that the show has no plot, so therefor that couldn't have been a spoiler, right? :)

Here's MR. MISTOFELEES from the filmed version --

After Eight said: ""

You see, I don't read comic books



"

You know somebody has good taste when they outright dismiss an entire art form!

"You know somebody has good taste when they outright dismiss an entire art form!"

"Art form?"

Now that occasioned a good giggle this morning.

I'll stick to literature, thank you.



And to get back on topic, Born in a Ditch said, "The dancing is the real star here."

I would agree with that.

I am going on Wednesday night! I am very excited!

We get it... you don't like the show.

After Eight said: ""You know somebody has good taste when they outright dismiss an entire art form!"

"Art form?"

Now that occasioned a good giggle this morning.

I'll stick to literature, thank you.

Clearly, you know nothing about comic books, but why should that stop you from passing a blanket judgment on them?

People seem to have a hard time with the "no plot" thing, but musicals ( or plays, movies, etc.) don't need to have a plot. Plot is only one tool available to writers to convey whatever it is they are trying to convey. For Cats, dance and the design elements are used to a create a tone, which when coupled with Eliot's poems create something different and meaningful (Yes, if you read the poems there is some commentary on communities and one's place within a community). If it doesn't work for you, fine, it doesn't work for you. But to fault a show for not having a plot when it was never interested in having a plot in the first place seems silly.

I was at the second preview last night. I was skeptical about going, especially so early on, as I'm not the biggest CATS fan, but I loved it and was pleasantly surprised. The production is fantastic... very modernized. They've taken the 80s out of Cats, while keeping the signature moments. They've really developed the characters and got as close as you can to adding a plot to Cats. It made sense. It ran two hours and fifteen minutes, including a twenty minute intermission. There was quite a bit of mic trouble and some lighting cues called too early, but I'm sure that'll work itself out.

I agree with the people who found the absence of performers during the overture odd. It seemed, with the lighting, that there should have been things happening on stage.

Leona Lewis sounded fantastic. She seemed a bit uncomfortable and you can tell she hasn't performed much in the theatre, but all the groundwork is there for her to be giving a breakout performance. Jess LeProto was fantastic as Mungojerrie, I expect him to be remembered come TONYS time. The whole cast was in great shape for a second preview.

I overheard some purists that were not pleased with the production at all.



*potential spoilers*

- I loved the song changes, and giving Tugger more to do, I felt it helped the Munkestrap/Tugger/Old Deuteronomy dynamic.

-I thought it was interesting how young Jennyanydots came off...nothing about her (production wise) came off as being an older cat.

-I don't know how I feel about Mr. Mistoffelees singing - I'm curious to hear other opinions on that.

-I loved replacing Growltiger with Pekes and Pollicles, it was the first time I didn't cringe during the song.







I'd recommend this production. I went in as someone familiar with the show, but not really a fan, and had a fantastic time. I think this production is going to surprise many.

Updated On: 7/16/16 at 03:42 PM