Review of Sunday matinee, August 7: Leona Lewis was out. Grizabella was played by Jessica Hendy. I really enjoyed Jessica's performance as Grizabella. She had the Grizabella stagger, she acted it and did a fantastic job singing "Memory"! I did not love the new Grizabella hair in fact my soon to be six year old specifically commented "Grizabella is supposed to have curly hair!"
This was my daughter's first official Broadway show. She has been to smaller shows so she was taught how to behave in a theater. I bought her the DVD of Cats and she has watched it a dozen times as well as listened to the original cast recording. She knew all the cats by name, the order of the songs, what they look like...I did my best to prepare her so it would be enjoyable for her and not a distraction for those around us. At intermission I did ask the women behind me if they were being disturbed.
I sat on the aisle, in the orchestra, and had her in the second seat just in case she became overwhelmed when the cats went up and down the aisles. When she was asked days before the show if she would be scared she said "oh the cats are just people in costume." However once the lights went down she said "I am so excited I can't watch!" and then when the eyes started to fill the theater she said "they are coming, they are coming" - her suspension of disbelief was in place. During "The Naming of Cats" one was standing right by us, making eye contact and it did make her a bit uncomfortable. Her favorite cat is Victoria the white cat. I had no idea when I purchased the seats what fate would deal us. I couldn't have planned this. At one point Victoria came down our aisle and started to sing right by us. Victoria reached her paw to my daughter. I assured her it was ok to reach out and they touched. When Victoria ran back up on stage my daughter's face was buried in her mother's shoulder. She was crying. "What's wrong?" we asked and she said "I am just SO happy!" Thank you Georgina Pazcoguin!! You touched my daughter and the memory will never leave her.
ok...Daddy's review. First off I am a big CATS fan. Loved the lighting. What a difference LEDs make! The set and costumes for the most part were passable. There were times I did not like the overlaying leg and arm pieces, (specifically Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, to change the cats into a specific character. The missing instruments that were substituted by keyboards was noticeable. You CAN tell the difference. It is like listening to a recording versus hearing it live. Fake trumpets played off a keyboard will always sound like fake trumpets. It does steal from the experience. Mistoffelles jacket was dynamic as was his performance - great job Ricky Ubeda! Rum Tum Tugger was a gigantic disappointment from the moment I saw this specific performer on stage, I did not enjoy Tyler Hanes. I saw him in the company during the first two numbers "Jellicle Song for Jellicle Cats" and "The Naming of Cats" it was OBVIOUS he was not singing. Why? Because puffing your mouth and blowing air while fluttering your lips randomly is distracting and noticeable when you are standing next to your fellow performers who are actually singing. I'll go easier on the actual Rum Tum Tugger performance because that was the direction he was given but I really didn't think even the audience found him as likable as the original version/direction. Believe it or not I liked Macavity much more! His dancing during the fight scene was awesome! The Gumbie Cat number is usually a favorite of mine but I did not like the cats tapping...much preferred when the roaches and beetles tap with the Gumbie Cat. Bustopher Jones was adequate with his changes. "Growltiger's Last Stand" was always a magical theatrical moment for me when the back wall came down to create the ship. I did miss Growltiger/Griddlebone's aria too. It is sad that it couldn't have been left in as is or tweaked to be politically correct. Unfortunately, I tried to be open to Gus's recollection of being the Rumpus Cat for the Pekes/Pollicles but when that finished it felt like a mashup 'this is the best we could do' especially when it slammed to a hault for Skimbleshanks to start. I enjoyed Skimbleshanks and was glad to see that building the train was still part of the choreography. The tire appeared to be smaller and didn't soar closer to the audience or higher. The flying by wire of Grizabella...well, insert an eye roll, ok...the lighting didn't stay on her long enough after her feet left the tire so the moment was quickly forgotten.
Overall, I really enjoyed CATS. IF I wasn't as familiar with the show as I am I wouldn't have known the differences. Wow to the $199 orchestra ticket price for the matinee but seeing my daughter be transported by theater is exactly what I hoped for. Added bonus for us...the 4 seats in front of us were empty the entire show! My daughter had a completely unobstructed view. She proclaimed as we were walking away from the Neil Simon theater "I'll never wash my hands again!"
CATS haters will always be CATS haters and that's fine...but for those of us who do love it - let us please.
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