**** Highly Recommended Paramount Theatre’s new production of Cats is nothing short of spectacular. Kudos to Director Trent Stark for his circus-inspired production. In spite of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lush musical score, Cats has always been my least favorite musical, so I totally shocked my family and friends by even seeing the show, but guess what? I loved it from start to finish. When you see a trapeze hanging above the audience, you’ll know you’re in for something special. Cats is a family friendly show. 4 BIG Spotlights
Cats is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a book of poetry by T.S. Eliot. As you’ll hear in the very first song, Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, these cats are not just any alley cats, they are the Jellicle cats. On the most sacred night of the year, they gather under Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s gorgeous circus big top to sing and dance because every Jellicle cat wants to be the ‘one’ chosen to be reborn.
Just a note – I went back and looked at some old reviews about Cats. In 2014 I said “Cats has never been one of my favorite musicals, in fact, is way down on my list. I’ve never seen a production – including this one – in which I could understand the all the words. It all seemed like a lot of caterwauling – don’t groan! Cats takes place late at night, so the stage lighting is always very dark making it hard to see the cats, their costumes or their very ingenious makeup. I wish there was a way around that.”
Under the bright, beautiful big top, it’s easy to see the cats, including faces and costumes. It’s also easy to see what they’re doing – all kinds of circus tricks – tumbling, balancing, juggling, and cartwheeling across the stage. You’ll see a cat contortionist, a cat spinning in a huge hoop, cats climbing ribbons on either side of the stage, cats on aerial hoops, cats on a trapeze, even a cat magician and a cat clown.
Although a few cast members are actual circus performers, most have worked with the Actors Gymnasium to learn to be circus cats. Cats has always been a dance-driven musical, this production even more so. When you add Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi’s gymnastic circus choreography to Kasey Alfonso’s strong dance choreography, you end up with a fabulous show!
Although you’ll never remember their names, the cats do introduce themselves in a song called The Naming of Cats, at the beginning of the show. Some cats have their own songs, while others will distract you with Circus tricks.
The Old Gumble Cat features Munkustrap (Jake DiMaggio Lopez), Jennyanydots (Kat Hoil), contortionist, Bombalurina (Tiffany Topol), Demeter (Alexandra Palkovic) and Jellylorum (Allison Sill).
The Rum Tum Tugger (Donovon Hoffer) is lifted above the crowd on a trapeze.
Gasps from the Jellicle cats greet Grizabella the Glamour Cat (Emily Rohm), escorted by Bombalurina and Demeter. She used to be a glamorous trapeze star but now she’s an old recluse, hiding from the public. Grizabella sings Cats signature song, Memory. In Act II, she even rides the trapeze from stage all the way into the balcony.
Jellylorum, Bombalurina and Demeter sing back-up for Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town (Gene Weygandt), a very sophisticated cat.
Mungojerrie (Michael Lunder) and Rumpleteazer (Dani Goldberg) show off their acrobatic skills when she stands on his shoulders. Later they turn cartwheels across the stage.
Accompanied by Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger, Old Deuteronomy (Lorenzo Rush, Jr.), the alpha Jellicle cat, wonders who will be the ‘one’.
Gus: The Theatre Cat is really a cat called Asparagus (Gene Weygandt), who was quite famous.
Everyone is waiting for Skimbleshanks the Railroad Cat (Anakin Jace White), who arrives on a circus car.
Everyone is scared of Macavity the Mystery Cat (Matthew Weidenbener), who has a reputation as an evil cat.
Magical Mister Mistoffelees (Christopher Kelley) entertains the crowd with magic tricks. He actually does an illusion during the show.
Circus artists appearing in Cats are Dani Goldberg as Rumpleteazer (tumbler/acrobat); Kat Harvey as Tantomile (aerialist/ribbon); Kat Hoil as Jennyanydots (contortionist & aerial ring); Ryan Huemmer as Coricopat/Young Gus (trapeze & aerial ring); Michael Lunder as Mungojerrie (tumbler/acrobat).
The cast includes Carbuckety (Brian Bandura), Pouncival (Matty Bettencourt), Admetus (Liam Bradley), Victoria (Kara Brody), Etcetera (Sophie Liu David), Alonzo (Evan C. Dolan), Mistoffelees (Christopher Kelley), Electra (Hayley Larson), Tumblebrutus (Matthew Millan), Sillabub (Emma Ogea), Cassandra (Selena Robinson), Exotica (Emily Scinto) and George (Shaun Dennison White).
The Cats’ Chorus includes Joe Giovannetti, Brian Hupp, Emilie Lynn and Nellie Shuford.
The Cats orchestra is conducted by Kory Danielson, associate conductor, Cameron Tragesser. Musicians are: Sean McNeely (Reed 1 – flute, tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet); Matt Beck (Reed 2 – clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax, baritone sax); Sharon Jones (Horn); Jocelyn Shoulders (Cello); Celia Villacres (Keyboard 1); Cameron Tragesser (Keyboard 2); Kevin Reeks (Keyboard 3); Dave Saenger (Guitar – electric/acoustic); Marcel Bonfim (Bass); Jim Widlowski (Drums/Percussion).
Cats runs through June 15th at the Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd, Aurora. Valet parking is available, plenty of street parking too.
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $56-$158. FYI (630) 896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com