CATS
Repertory Company Theatre
CATS
My thoughts on CATS or…the memory is living again
As the director of CATS Michelle Levall explained to the audience on opening night, people fall into either the love CATS camp or the can’t stand CATS camp. Since I estimate that this was my thirtieth time seeing the musical (many times not by choice but that’s a story for another day) and I am dad to four rescues, I fall into the first camp with reservations. CATS is one of those musicals that makes me want a fast forward button so I can get to the songs I like and skip over the others.
If you have never seen CATS before, RCT’s production is an excellent introduction. The set design by The Wood Shop/Mike Carter is a solid recreation of the junkyard where the story takes place. There’s no flying tire to the heaviside layer but you won’t miss it. The lighting by Josh Hensley is very good as is CJ Partin’s sound design. The costumes by Michelle Levall, Debra Carter, and Celeste Youngblood are outstanding and enhanced by Caitlyn Rodda’s makeup.
Music Director Devon Harper has all the kitties sounding terrific and up to the challenge of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score. However, the big challenge here is the almost constant, athletic choreography and Choreographer Brittany Ryan Charles must have given out all kinds of cat treats, as these felines are exceptional dancers and dazzling to watch.
I think there are 22 cats in this litter, and it was difficult to tell them apart. Audrey Reidling , one of my favorite DFW performers, was so well disguised as Bombalurina, that I never identified her. All the furry friends were super, but I want to recognize my picks of the litter.
Geoff Lutz as Munkustrap is charismatic, touching, and strong as the cat who is almost the narrator of the evening and protector of the Jellicles. Jacob Waters is everything the sexy Rum Tum Tugger should be, swiveling his hips to the delight of the cats and the audience. Jarrod McCrae and Kristi Smith Tomenga are great fun as the rambunctious Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. David Allsup is an appropriately scary Macavity and Joseph Arce makes Mr. Mistoffelees a high stepping winner. Jordan Tomenga’s superb acting as Gus/Growltiger made a scene I usually want to sleep through one of my favorites of the evening. Mike Egan’s a great Old Deuteronomy, a sort of father figure to the Jellicles. Ally Van Deuren is sensational as Jennyanydots as she tap dances her way into our hearts. ‘Also sensational is the voice of Ashley Sanders as Grizabella. It is difficult to take a classic song like “Memory” and make it your own, but Sanderrs brings a freshness to the song that is chill inducing.
Under the direction of Michelle Levall, these Jellicles can and do. CATS may not be for everyone but if you are on the fence about seeing it, you should give Repertory Company Theatre’s production a try. It is beautifully produced and performed. You have three more chances to see it before the Courtyard Theater turns into a giant litter box.
