In honor of the revival - CATS! Original Production Photographs — Page 2

It's interesting to read the original New York Times review. I think he described the show's success perfectly.

"It's a musical that transports the audience into a complete fantasy world that could only exist in the theater and yet, these days, only rarely does. Whatever the other failings and excesses, even banalities, of ''Cats,'' it believes in purely theatrical magic, and on that faith it unquestionably delivers."

http://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/08/theater/theater-lloyd-webber-s-cats.html?pagewanted=all

Cats was my first musical. My parents took me to see a touring production in Madison, Wisconsin in 1987 when I was 10 years old.



My memories are most likely sketchy, but what the heck is that black thing in the photos with the glowing red eyes and the R upon its chest?

So, I was working in my office at The Simon and as I left for the day I was lucky enough to hear Leona during tech. She. Sounds. Amazing.

I never got to see the original production, its one of my big regrets. I do like though how they have updated the wigs and makeup to reflect what they were doing in London towards the end of that original run.



The thing about those original photos of Cats (and many other shows) is it makes me wonder how different those productions looked in real life, or is it that it looks the way it does because of limited camera technology back then (same goes for when you see original photos of phantom and Les Mis) everything so dark.

I would hope I can get to see the revival but I doubt I will as unfortunately I will give it 2 years tops (being generous) I am also quite put out that they cut the whole growltiger bit which i LOVED

There's a great video by Masterworks Broadway featuring Joan Marcus talking about working as a photographer pre digital vs. digital.

She compares her experiences on the 1998 CABARET with her work on the 2014 version and says in '98 she couldn't get the shots as she wanted because it was such a dark design, but by 2014 technology had advanced and she was able to get better shots.

I can't wait to see her shots of the CATS revival (assuming she does it).

I love Lillias White.

https://youtu.be/CiPmLldvD98?t=63

From what I remember of the original production, the pirate ship set was either flown in or moved in behind a scrim or curtain. It was two level with a "below deck" that Growltiger would push his pirates into when he sang, "and my raffish crew were sleeping in their barrels and their bunks".

They're not doing Growltiger? That's some bull****... so they're going to make people sit through the bummer song of Gus The Theatre Cat without the pay off?

Should of seen it coming though considering Neither Jellylorum or Gus's casting sheet mentioned their Growltiger roles. Which only confuses me considering Jellylorum is being played by Sara Jean Ford whose voice is going to be completely wasted if she doesn't get to play Griddlebone...

The only thing I have seen that would suggest Growltiger WAS NOT cut is a photo on Instagram of Gus wearing the coat that covers the Growltiger costume... I would think if Growltiger was cut, Gus would resemble the film costume.

Question: is the currently licensed version the Broadway version from 1982?

sbflyfan, Thanks for that early London pic. I just yelled "THERE'S FINOLA HUGHES!" out loud to my living room.

Has Skimbleshanks' train changed over the years? If so, is there anyplace that shows (or describes) its changes?

Ahh thank you! I am seeing a production this weekend and was curious which version to expect. Especially since ALW is notorious for tweaking.

I was 8 years old in 1983 when I saw this show & I still have very vivid memories of being pawed by Cats going up and down the aisles. I think the show made me a dog person.

Also, being 8 and taking things literally, I remember the tagline 'now & forever' and thinking at 8 'is this show really going to run forever, seems impossible'? Ah, to young and innocent again.