Princeton at CATS-Now and Forever

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 3:45pm

Ok, so CATS was the first Broadway musical I was taken to. I was in 8th grade and sat in the 6th row at the Winter Garden. I was in heaven, I couldn't talk for hours afterward. For me it was all that I had done in New York, although apparently I was also taken to the Empire State Building, the United Nations and the Stat. of Liberty...I have no recollection. So for this reason, CATS owns a piece of my heart and always will. I don't pretend it's perfect. It's not my favorite show, but I do enjoy it and see it when I get a chance.
So, the non-equity national tour is in Boston right now and is playing at the Wang Theatre which is a giant, 2500 seat cave of a theatre and I was there last night. For once, I came out thinking "They finally got it right." I belive the orchestra is sweetened a bit, but I really didn't mind because the score has never sounded better. I couldn't tell if the ensemble numbers were sweetened, but the individual voices were great and the dancing was specacular. All the sets and costumes looked the same as they did on Broadway and there was a touch more glitter in the starry backdrop. The "Mistofolees" number was magical with glitter and streamers all around *a la Hairspray's finale* and they had dropped the God-awful Pekes and Pollicles number as well as made some very intelligent trimmings to other points of the show, notably the "Growltiger" scene. It reminded me a 'bit' of a slick Las Vegas show, but I think this may finally be the best way to see CATS. I had forgotten how much I loved this show and this score. I know many don't and many may tease me on this thread, but I'm a very happy camper today. :0)

[ashley0139]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 3:54pm

I´m glad you liked it Princeton, coincidently this was the first show I ever saw on Broadway also. It will always hold a special place in my heart even though now I actually dislike the show. Well, not dislike but it´s definetly not my favorite. Cool to see they did it well though.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:07pm

well, I can't say I agree with you on the cutting of "The Awful Battle of the Peekes and the Pollicles" as it is my favorite song in the show. the current tour does the show a great injustice by cutting it as the first act is so thoroughly through composed that when the time comes there seems a huge gap as if something is missing and suddenly "The Song of the Jellicles" begins. to me it will always be lacking and looked upon with a stain of regret but I did see it and I thought other than that fact that the show was spectacular. CATS was the first show I saw too and it will always hold a special place in my heart as well. Updated On: 2/23/05 at 04:07 PM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:16pm

I agree that there was a bit of a pause in the score, but I did not mind the deletion. If you've seen this tour, would you agree that the orchestra is "sweetened?"

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:36pm

I believe I read somewhere that it is. so yes.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/23/05 at 7:24pm

Is the tour coming to the NY area?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 5:52pm

Good review, Princeton. How are the sets? I haven't seen the show before but I'll be covering it when it comes to Vancouver in April.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 5:57pm

I think you will never capture the environmental atmosphere from the Winter Garden on tour, but the sets were just as good and elaborate as they were when I first saw the official national tour back in 1992. In fact, as I said, they've added a bit more glitter to it, and that's not a bad thing.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 6:05pm

Color me ignorant. Winter Garden?

I was looking at some of the venues its playing at, and in some cities, it appears that the show is playing in arenas in "concert layout" (360 seating). Do you think this would work for the show? I can't think of many shows that could pull that off.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 6:24pm

Cats originally played at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway where the stage was lowered, the procenium was removed, and the entire set enveloped the theatre. There were ramps for the cast to scurry from the stage to the mezz, there were manholes in the aisles for surprise entrances, there were seats on the stage, and the entire ceiling of the theatre was a starry night sky. Obviously, this cannot be recreated across the country.
As for CATS playing in the round (360), I know it will work. In the original London production at the New London theatre, the show was virtually in the round with a revolving stage, and many recent, regional productions including the one I saw at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly Ma have been in the round. Even on Broadway, CATS had an 'in the round' feeling to it.