How is the current CATS tour? — Page 2

dmwnc1959 said: "Have this coming up next Sunday in Pittsburgh, and just upgraded a few rows to a front row balcony. Very excited! Any updates on how the tour is looking, cast members of note, scenery or costume thoughts, and what the souvenir stand has? Definitely buying at least a window card, magnet and cup. Thanks for any updates!"

Donna Vivino is Grizabella!

Little article in today’s Pittsburgh online newspaper...

https://triblive.com/aande/theater-arts/cats-struts-into-pittsburghs-benedum-center/

There was a song in the show today I can’t nail down in the 1983 OBCR I’ve been listening to. It had to do with ‘dogs bark, bark, barking, all over the park’ and some of the cast donned what look like shoe boxes on their feet and hands. Does anyone know which song this is?

The song is included on the original Australian cast recording of you can track that one down.

So, CATS. There’s just a lot to unwrap from this show it’s mind-boggling. Having seen the recent movie (yes, I saw it four times, and it took that long to sink into my brain) I was more excited about seeing the show as the day approached.

The matinee on Sunday, March 1st was well attended and the weather pre-show allowed for CATS fans and new comers alike to line up in front of the Benedum Center and get chatty. Lots of enthusiasm and anticipation followed patrons to their seats (I was front row balcony near center) and then the house lights went dark as the first notes of CATS began. And then they appeared.

I felt a sudden pang of flashback to the same numbness I experienced when watching the movie, a sort of WTF moment when they came out one at a time and then all grouped up, all decked out in their cat outfits and make-up. Cats everywhere. By time the show ended I was still sort of wondering what I just saw. And what CATS is, well, it’s one of those shows that’s so unique in the history of theater that it defies description. Love it, hate it, or even if you’re indifferent, it really can’t be ignored once it starts. It’s mesmerizing.

The vocals were for the most part all very good, especially in Old Deuteronomy (the entire cast harmonizing) and in Memory at the end when the music hits its crescendo and Grizabella belts out... TOUCH ME!!!! IT’S SO EASY TO LEAVE ME... it felt like a blast hit me with chills head to toe. Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat song is just a lot of fun with the assembled train engine. And when Magical Mister Mistoffelees “appears” in his flashy jacket all sorts of colorful craziness ensues.

The dancing at times just never stopped and went on for several hours. That’s an exaggeration, of course. But it felt like it during two particular very long sequences of dance. This show is just non-stop dancing, and singing, and all sorts of choreography to the point it felt like it wore me out.

And as much as they talked about him I was sort of surprised at just how little you saw of MacCavity (compared to the movie). He kept flashing in and out of the shadows until the big fight? Is that what it was?

The Jellicle Choice and the way the Journey to the Heaviside Layer was done was fairly cool. I think my jaw hit the floor. One of the best parts of the show.

As for souvenirs I bought the window card, magnet, tote bag, souvenir program, and mug (the yellow cat eyes appear when you pour in hot liquid).

I’m glad I saw this. I think maybe it deserves better from me, and I wish I had the money to give it multiple viewings like I did with the movie. Did I enjoy this +2hr-long acid trip? Yes, I think I did. Would I see this again? Yes. Given the right price and seats. But for now I can check this one off of my To-Do list.

Updated On: 3/2/20 at 09:22 PM

jimmycurry01 said: "For what you spent on souvenirs, you probably could have bought another ticket... I mean, holy cow!"

I collect souvenirs. It’s my hobby. And they are my connection back to the show. These window cards, Playbills, show programs, souvenir programs, mugs, magnets, etc. decorate my entire living room and corner of my office space at work. My souvenirs from CATS were a staggering $80, and they now grace my home and office. I’m sure I could have stayed for the evening show - maybe bought a last minute nose-bleed section ticket for cheap or front orchestra for $125 - but since my matinee was the next to last performance of this run in Pittsburgh, and considering my drive back to WV and having to work the next day, I thought it best to Let the Memory Live Again and again though my pictures and souvenirs. CATS is coming to Columbus next year so I may go over and see it again, sort of like what I’m doing with Wicked in May. But I have an entire 2020/2021 season of shows coming to Pittsburgh (yet to be announced) that may forgo any side trip to see this feline odyssey again. Until then I can always buy the 1998 movie off of iTunes and watch it if I start getting hairballs or an itch from withdrawals to see it again.

Updated On: 3/2/20 at 09:14 PM

My partner has always wanted to see this musical since she was a child, so I told her the only way I would ever see it is if she bought the tickets (she’s not a theatre-goer like me, I usually go to shoes alone or will pay for her because I am dragging her to one I think she will like).

I had no idea what I was in for. I knew “Memory”, obviously, but I am not a big fan of ALW and the running joke in my family is how we put on the Cats VCR tape and no one was awake 30 minutes in.

I felt bad, like someone else said, about how much I hated it. I still don’t understand it. Donna was great, but had no idea Memory was THAT short in the show. The dancing was great, choreography was a different story. It really was like an acid trip.

My partner bought the TS Elliot poems and for some reason I thought they were charming on their own, I have no idea why anyone thought it would translate well to a musical! And as much as I had a look on my face the whole time, people around me were genuinely enjoying it, which was my favorite part. I love how many people have different tastes in musical theatre and I genuinely loved the fact that I saw many families leaving the theatre smiling and many children seeing their first show.

They really ditched the string lights? That’s disappointing.

Yes, I agree the proscenium does not work and doing away with the string lights was a bummer for me.


At least the show is close to the original form on the Oasis of the Seas.

Updated On: 3/10/20 at 08:51 PM

So I saw Cats yesterday afternoon for my first time ever. Reading through this thread about changes made over the years, I can see how some people could be disappointed. The little English lady next to me said she first saw it in the West End in the 80's. She didn't seem disappointed. I told her how I had an elementary school teacher who was obsessed with cats generally, & how excited she was when it first played Vancouver in 1987. Back then, taking the whole family to Bway show wasn't something my parents could afford.

I am not a big ALW fan, but since I had a good time at Phantom last year in NYC, I got a reasonably good seat in the balcony for this when they first went on sale. The theatre here isn't as huge a barn as some, but I still bring binoculars for the balcony.

I really only know "Memory" from this show. I saw the movie, but don't remember much. I couldn't understand a lot in the first act. The keyboards sound so bad, so 80's. They should have re-orchestrated this year's ago. Definitely there were plenty of huge fans in the audience as every number got lavish applause with lots of shrieking & yelling. The second act got better, as I could hear the lyrics better. Also I was able to settle into the fact that it is just spectacle & not really about anything. It just has song after song introducing different cats. They do a jig or whatever & then it ends. It's no better than a Cirque show.

Looking at the program, the cast of this non-equity tour is all super young, which likely helps with their stamina during the dance segments. I don't have anything to compare the choreo to. It feels like stepping back into the 80's. A total cheese-fest. Again like Cirque shows.

It was OK. It did make me want to see it again. Sort of like eating Cheetos. You can't have just one.

After Vancouver the tour heads to Honolulu, and then it looks like that's it. I'm happy for people in Hawaii since they don't get a lot of touring shows, not even many big pop stars or rock bands go to the expense of traveling there.

This morning I realized I probably won't get another chance to see this again anywhere for a long time unless I see it again right away. So, I found a discount code just now & bought an orchestra seat for tonight's last performance - after Ticketmaster fees about $79US. Sunday nights are probably my least favorite for going out, since I have to be up at 5am for work Monday. I'll try to have a nap this afternoon. A cat nap.

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Updated On: 5/28/23 at 10:55 AM

Saw the final performance of the Vancouver dates Sunday evening. Even with the discount code offered through a popular local website, the orchestra was about 70% full, vs the Saturday matinee was probably sold out. People like to stay in Sunday night. The cast still put on an excellent performance. I got more out of it the second time, & understood more lyrics.

After watching some YouTube, the staging is true to the Bway revival. Even though it is now non-union cast, the performances equal those in videos of that revival. For people who know previous productions, the downsizing of some pieces may bother them. I went in blind, & it is only from watching YouTube after last night that I see differences. That probably sounds ridiculous to the people for whom this is a favorite show - that someone would know so little about it, & had never before heard most of the songs.

I guess you just like what you like. I really like Jerry Herman & have listened repeatedly for years to the cast albums from his shows - both the hits & the flops. When I was able to finally see Dear World this year I was in theatre heaven, and was surprised by the people whose response was "This show makes no sense!" That is sort of my reaction to Cats... it makes no sense. Also the songs are generally ummm... not good - in some there were lyrics that didn't quite scan or rhyme & yet they try to sing them as though they should rhyme. So many numbers that don't really have any purpose? Why the numbers about Grumble Cat & then the other posh fat cat? And then in the second act what purpose is there for the railway cat number? So much of the show is just spectacle with no real plot. As spectacle & performance it is fine, & performed well.

I'm actually glad I didn't see this as a child in the 80's, and that my first musicals were shows like Grease (even though it was the kind of cleaned up version) & Guys & Doll's with more proper plots. But, I am sad that it wasn't't until yesterday that I ever saw or heard Terrence Mann as Rum Tum Tugger.

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Updated On: 5/30/23 at 07:18 AM

MikeInTheDistrict said: "I couldn't find a thread for this. Would anyone who has seen the tour so far care to share their thoughts?

I saw it in February in Chicago, and I thought it was magical. For context, I hadn't seen it before, so I can't speak to changes from the original show.

Regarding some of the criticism that these poems don't make sense as a musical: I guess if you're someone who needs a traditional story, it might not be your cup of tea. But to me, it worked. I thought it was like an impressionistic painting: great characters, fantastic live singing and dancing, moments of drama, and lots of fantasy. I was familiar with the OLC recording, so I knew a bit about the show, but I was surprised by how otherworldly and transporting it was.

My favorites were Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Mr. Mistoffelees, Victoria the white cat, and Grizzabella. I was struck by how catlike many of the performers really seemed!

For those curious about "Growlitger's Last Stand," it looks like it was removed because it was considered racist. I thought the replacement song, "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles," was cute; it featured the cats dressing up like dogs.

We saw the show on its last day. If we had caught it earlier in the run, I would have gone a second time.