CATS by Carol Kaufman Segal

           

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award winning musical, Cats, opened on Broadway in 1982 and ran for 18 years.   Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, it obviously has not lost its magic.  The original production was directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Gillian Lynne.

            

 During the years, I must have seen Cats a number of times, but that was decades ago.  When I was aware of a touring company coming to the Pantages Theatre, I looked forward to reviving my Memories of the production and of reliving those memories and its magic.           

            

The North American tour, also directed by Trevor Nunn, opened at the Pantages Theatre February 27 with a completely full house of patrons that included many celebrities, even one who appeared as a cat!  Upon arriving at the theater, one could feel the excitement that continued throughout the entire evening of the performance.

            

The story, itself, is irrelevant.  The true magic of Cats is the glorious music, the astonishing cast of thirty-two actors, singers, and dancers who transform into Jellico Cats by their costumes and their catlike movements, while subsisting in a junk yard (and set design by John Napier). The excitement reverberates as they sometimes leave the stage to run up and down the aisles. Their voices do more than justice to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music, but I found their dancing to be exceptional, exciting and the highlight of the production (choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynn).

           

Cats is playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles through March 24.  The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm. There’s an additional performance March 21st at 2pm, and no performance March 24th at 6:30pm. 

           

Tickets for Cats are now on sale, and available at www.HollywoodPantages.com/Cats, and www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 982-2787 or in person at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Box Office (Opens Daily at 10am)

            

This is a production that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.  It is recommended for ages 5 and up.  Children under 5 years old will not be admitted and all patrons, including children must have a ticket.

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