Why do people hate Cats

I find that it's plotless structure doesn't keep me involved and the sequence with the Chinese cats has its music stolen from Puccini's TURANDOT. Yup, it's the "Ping, Pang and Pong" music--note for note.

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Updated On: 8/15/06 at 10:08 AM

I don't like the show because it has no plot. I prefer things with storylines.

I think people on BWW probably do, because everyone here is a critic of Broadway shows, but the general public must like it because how many years did it run? And didn't it at one point hold the honor of longest-running show?

"And didn't it at one point hold the honor of the longest-running show?"

Inexplicably!

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Cats is more of a showcase of the dancing and singing rather than telling a story and analysis. If I were to tell you what Cats is about I would just say, "It's about cats." and basically that's all there is to it. Like lathearterlover said, "but the general public must like it because how many years did it run?" exactly. The general public.

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Cats is a show that tried to do "everything" for the audience including to feel and to have a good time.

A show that tries to do everything shuts the audience out of having to do even the basics. It then becomes a floor show or a televison variety special.

As trite and at times nonsensical as the lyric of Memory is, at least it guided the audience into feeling something. The same with the pirate number. These allowed us to become involved.

Cats was also a triumph of PR. It had major news stories for months leading up to the premiere. Seat availability was limited and it routinely sold out for years, all based on the idea that it was the show to see. If they gave Tonys for flackery, Cats would have won hands down.

Never mind that the reviews were not all that good and that the NY Drama Critics Circle gave its Best Musical award that season to Little Shop of Horrors.

I have always wondered what Cats would have been like in a smaller house without that big set (maybe a few platforms and some black velours), with a suggestion of costumes and that great lighting. It might have been a better musical although not as big a cash cow.

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I do not hate CATS. I love CATS the musical. I have loved this show since I was a child.

It was the longest running musical for a while. Children and millions of people adore this show.

I do not see the need to start a thread about why you hate a show. Start a thread about a show you like. Don't spread hate, spread love

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Updated On: 8/15/06 at 02:12 PM

I saw the original Broadway cast back when I was a teenager and it bored me silly. While the dancing and designs were well done, I found it trite and precious and utterly superficial, a total triumph of style over substance and, then as now, I was someone who greatly preferred substance over style. I've just never been one who cared much for spectacle, especially one as empty and meaningless as this one.

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I like it.

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I disliked the lack of a coherent plot, the costuming was a bit too extravagent for me. Frankly the show I felt was just relying on effects to cover the fact it's absolutely horrible (I feel the same way about Lion King). Personally, I find it to be boring and believe that it has only one decent song. I cannot even make it through listening to the Cats Soundtrack (and btw Sunset Boulevard is one of my all time Favorite Musicals, so it's not because I hate ALW). I don't know, I mean it's a feat to perform that show, but it's like boring to watch. I know countless people who told me they went to see the show on Broadway and decided to sleep through it they were so bored.

I know a couple people who like the show, but once again, not the serious musicians. IDK, maybe we're too discriminating to enjoy it...

Speaking of PR. Andrew Lloyd Webber is the king of it. When you ask someone on the street what made him famous, they don't even know what his first show was or which one is the biggest, they just immediately tell you he's one of the greatest composers who's ever lived. Kind of interesting. I also seriously wonder how he won that Grammy for Requiem, but that's another post...

Updated On: 8/15/06 at 02:54 PM

If so many people dislike Cats then how come it ran for ssooo long?

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I wonder how CATS would fare in our 24-hour media-savvy internet based society. It might have tanked. I remember as a kid seeing all the news and newspaper stories about CATS and wanting to see it soooo bad. There was anticipation about getting to the theatre to see people acting like CATS. Actually, that is one of the reasons the internet saddens me. So much mystique and anticipation of new Broadway shows are lost. It's quite sad indeed. That's why I won't read any of the ACL posts. I need to hang on to some giddy anticipation and surprise. It's part of the reason I love theatre. CATS might not have survived on online onslaught of bad will and spoilers.

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