"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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(search Caren Osrin Gittleman)

Spaying/Neutering Means Less Strays, Less Feral Colonies

There is an increasing problem throughout Michigan and  the United States of increasing feral colonies due to pet owners not taking the responsible action of spaying/neutering their cats. When a cat is either let go (due to a myriad of reasons stemming from the lack of finances to care for them, moving to a place that does not accept pets, etc.) or a cat just simply gets out and is lost, one cat that is not spayed or neutered can be responsible for a chain of thousands upon thousands of descendants of the original cat.

Feral colonies are colonies of cats who are born in the wild to these strays who have not been spayed or neutered  and of adult ferals who breed in the wild. Many states have adopted programs where they will capture the feral cats (who are difficult to capture due to a fear of humans because they are not accustomed to them), spay/neuter them, care for them in their recovery and return them to their colonies because ferals tend to do quite well surviving in the wild. This would greatly reduce the number of ferals (by thousands upon thousands both in Michigan and throughout the United States) which would help both the wildlife and the communities where ferals currently reside.

To help curb this problem pet owners need to spay/neuter their cats.  For those who do not choose to spay/neuter due to financial considerations there are many, many resources that one may call for assistance. Nationally individuals may contact CALL SPAY/USA at 1-800-248-SPAY (7729) or go to http://www.humanesociety.org/ and key in "low cost spaying/neutering" in the search box (this will pull up a directory of locations in all 50 states that may offer assistance. Also, many Veterinarians will assist with low cost financing to assist responsible pet owners who wish to spay/neuter their cats.

IN MICHIGAN INDIVIDUALS MAY CONTACT:

http://www.petsupportmi.org/

IN OAKLAND CO. MICHIGAN:
THE OAKLAND PET ADOPTION CENTER-AUBURN HILLS-(spay/neuter assistance)
http://www.oakgov.com/petadoption/programs_services/

If wanting to capture a feral colony in Oakland Co. Michigan to have them spayed/neutered,  do not attempt to do this on your own, please contact:
OAKLAND CO. ANIMAL CONTROL
248-391-4102

Pet Portraits To Purr About!

There is a gem that is hiding on Facebook and on the net that I am so happy that I found! Her name is Ashley Reid (on Facebook she can be found under "Ashley Beech Reid") and she is a "Pet Portrait Artist".  There are many out there but in my book Ashley is heads and tails above the rest. Why? Well one reason is that I am the daughter of a talented artist myself (and I dabble in sketching) and I KNOW good stuff when I see it, the other is that Ashley isn't just working to benefit herself, she will donate 10% of any commission/gift certificate purchase to the animal shelter, rescue, or cause of your choice! She already has made 19 donations since Feb 27th, 2010.....that's no small kibble.


Ashley will do portraits of your cat or dog from photographs that you send her and the results are pure Purrrrrfection!!

Ashley grew up in Beaver County, PA and  possesses a BSA in Art Education and a Master's in Art (both earned at Edinboro University) and she works in a variety of mediums (mostly Acrylic and Oil paint) and her work is available in a wide variety of sizes and pricing.

When I found Ashley I pounced on the opportunity to have Dakota and Cody together in one painting, showcasing their special relationship, painted for posterity, to have a unique and original memory that I will cherish forever. I can enjoy it that much more knowing that I have benefited some animals in the process.

To contact Ashley or view her extensive gallery online visit http://www.ashleyreid.net/

Do you know another artist or a unique cat product that you would like to see featured in my blog? You can comment directly through this blog, send me a message through Facebook (Caren Osrin Gittleman) or follow me on Twitter with a direct message at http://twitter.com/CatChatCaren