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

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/9/16 at 1:33pm

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

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/9/16 at 3:01pm

Did a blog post about my love for Cats and how I'm excited to see the revival. I'm wondering if "Pekes and Pollicles" and/or "Growltiger" will be in this production.

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 7/9/16 at 6:18pm

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?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/9/16 at 6:18pm

The Rumpus Cat

[Buffalo Bill]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 11:38am

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. 

 

 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 11:50am

If Tyler Hanes' early show costume is anything to go by, they're doing Rocker Tugger, not rapper.

Updated On: 7/12/16 at 11:50 AM

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 11:59am

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

[D91]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 1:25pm

Justin D said: "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

 

"

How do you know Growltiger is cut?? do you have a source?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 2:53pm

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).

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 4:27pm

Has the Growltiger cut been confirmed or is that still just speculation based on the cast list?

[morosco]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 6:30pm

I love Lillias White.

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

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 6:51pm

the peekes and policles bit is still in, as seen in this week's video

 

i asked a cast member if growltiger was cut and got a somewhat cryptic response, which usually is used as a confirmation, otherwise the person would have just said no it wasnt cut.

I assume they want to try to keep it close to the dvd I guess.

What I regret most about not seeing the original was to see how the pirate ship was done. They didnt do that in London at all, just had a pirate ship mast painted up by the moon in something similar to UV paint

[Queen of the Night]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 8:14pm

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".

[morosco]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 8:22pm

In the original Broadway production I remember the back wall of the set had a large portion in it that acted like a drawbridge. The drawbridge would lower and the ship would unfold like in one of those pop-up books.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 8:38pm

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...

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 8:57pm

Do you know if we're getting new orchestrations for this production?  The original ones are dreadful.

[D91]

Posted: 7/12/16 at 9:27pm

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. 

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/13/16 at 3:05pm

but wouldnt that coat just cover his regular cat costume?

I havent seen the cast list or casting sheet but traditionally also Gus (Asparagus) is onstage alot in the background and in the Jellical ball not as gus

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 1:43am

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

[TaylorF221]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 2:18am

Growltiger is cut, but with a replacement. 
 

Full orchestra with revised orchestrations, lot's of strings. Resembles the expanded orchestrations they did for the DVD. The orchestra is rocking and sounds great.

[rcwr]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 2:42am

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?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 3:08am

Mr. Nowack said: "Question: is the currently licensed version the Broadway version from 1982?"

I believe the currently licensed version is one of the more recent UK tour versions. It includes "The Ballad of Billy McCaw" from the original London production in place of the Italian aria that was used in the original Broadway version. The aria is available as an optional substitution, but it comes with a note about how Webber prefers "McCaw." There are other minor variations as well as "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" being sung as a duet rather than the solo for Mistoffelees that it was in the original Broadway production but that ended up being changed to the duet at some point during the original run anyway.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 3:10am

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

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 8:40am

Am I the only one on here who prefers the original melody to mungojerry and rumpletezer over the standard tune they use now?

(london recording vs Broadway)

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 7/14/16 at 8:57am

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.