Friday, May 14, 2010

"Cats" (the Musical), Make A "Memory"

There is going to be a whole lot of caterwauling going on, "Cats" (the Musical) is resurrecting one of its nine lives at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit May 18th thru May 23rd. No self-respecting, self-professed cat lover should pass through this life without having seen it. If you are as cat- crazed as me you have seen it at least three times!

Haven't seen "Cats" or (gasp) are unfamiliar with the musical? "Cats" is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which first opened in 1981 in London at The New London Theatre. It is based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" It has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history (I believe the only show that has run longer is "Les Miserables"). It introduced the block-buster song "Memory". "Cats" has been performed around the world many, many, many times and has been translated to include 20 different languages.

"Cats" has received numerous awards: the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, Tony Award for Best Musical, Tony Award for Best Book, Tony Award for Best Original Score.

A brief synopsis of the show from http://www.reallyuseful.com/ "Tonight is a particularly special night of the year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats unite to celebrate who they are. They emerge from the darkened landscape into a larger-than-life junkyard", (which just for the record the scene never changes throughout the entire show) the cats are "singing of their unique abilities and special qualities. In "The Naming of Cats", (one of my favorite moments of the show) " they begin to reveal who they are and that cats have three different names: one the family uses daily, a more dignified name and a secret name. It is the contemplation of these secret names that keeps felines deep in thought."

Some of the memorable cat characters include:
Bustopher Jones-"a fat cat, a twenty-five pounder" He is clad in a spiffy tuxedo and spats. He is considered to be an upper class cat and respected by all.

Grizabella-she is a former Glamour Cat who has aged and lost some of her star quality. Her main desire is to be accepted. When she was a young cat she escaped from the confines of her cat tribe to see the world for herself. Like many young women both in life and in the cat world this causes her to have to face the harshness of the world head on. She also becomes the outcast in her cats' society.

Rum Tum Tugger-he is the epitome of a cat ladies' tom cat!! He can be hysterically funny or serious but no matter what he remains the eternal flirt.

"Cats" is the perfect show for the entire family, you will be making a "Memory" to last a lifetime! If you haven't already, be sure you purchase your tickets now, http://www.broadwayindetroit.com/
is offering $10 off a ticket if a donation is made to the Michigan Humane Society. Visit them on Facebook or at the above link for more information.




Sources for this blog include Wikipedia
 http://www.reallyuseful.com/
  http://www.broadwayindetroit.com/


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