>"Cats"
opened in the West End of London in 1981 and on Broadway in 1982 where
it became the second longest running Broadway musical after  it beat "A Chorus Line" and was recently usurped from its standing by "Phantom Of The Opera." 
The show has played in over 30 countries and has been translated into
over 20 languages. It seems like various touring shows have
appeared every other year in South Florida and though it is here for
only performances I have no doubt it will be showing up again very soon.
What has made this show popular and enduring? Could it be because
cats are singing and dancing? Could it be the song "Memory", made famous
by Elaine Paige in London and Betty Buckley on Broadway and recorded by many singers including Barbra Streisand, became an instant classic? Could it
be because of the original costumes and makeup helped the cast become
and act like real cats? They purr, slink, pounce, snarl, use their paws
to attack or show affection, in other words act like cats. Or is there some mystical reason making the viewing of the show an 'experience'?
There was a young boy sitting on the aisle of the second row in the
orchestra and it seems the cats, the female ones at least, all made it a
point to purr, meow and/or touch his face. You could feel the
enchantment coming from him and you know he will never forget "Cats" and
along with sugar plums he will be dreaming about them for a long time.
Maybe that's what makes the show so enduring!
Talk about dreaming I am sure the lady who was picked from the audience to dance with the Rum Tum Tugger, a sort of Elvis Presley with a wild mane and and a feline tom cat, will also have a few dreams! Though it
has been 27 years since I lost saw "Cats" I don't remember the actor
playing not wearing a dancer's cup and making a point of emphasizing his
'package'.
With a cast of 30, most having a song and dance where they can shine, it really isn't fair to point out any individual
but I will mention a few who did stand out, for good or bad, mostly
good.
Grizabella, played by Kathryn Holtkamp, makes "Memory" her own and when it is revived in the second act as a duet, to a certain extent, with Sillabub, played by Heidi Giberson, the former will bring a lump to your throat. The big problem I had with Ms. Holtkamp was her acting as if she was auditioning for the role of Nora Desmond in the musical version of "Sunset Boulevard." Matthew Taylor has the presence as Rum Tug Tugger but goes a little over the top every now and then while Asparagus, Gus for short, played by Bronson N. Murphey and Mr. Mistoffelies, the magic cat, sung and danced
by Chris Macken are very comfortable in their performances.
There are two negatives that affect this touring production with one
bring fixable and the other might be effecting the first to a certain
extent. The cast does a lot of dancing, more than I remember, along with
singing and, maybe, because of the touring schedule, or being close to
the holidays, seem to just be tired though they are expanding a lot of
energy but lacking the electricity. I think a lot of that missing
electricity has to do with the prerecorded music they are working with. A
live orchestra brings that certain something to a performer, a musical
and the audience, that is lacking here.
There is no doubt in my mind that the
young boy, with his grandmother, and there were many 'couples' like
that, dressed in his jacket, tie, long sleeved shirt and long pants will
either be in a touring company of "Cats" in 12-25 years or bringing his
young son and/or daughter to a performance of another touring company
of "Cats" at the Broward Performing Arts Center around 2030.
Act 1  1 hour and 3 minutes  Intermission  24 minutes  Act 2  1 hour and 2 minutes  Total  2 hours and 29 minutes
Strobe lights, smoke, explosive noises
 
Next show at the Broward Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale  "Rock of Ages"  December 28-January 9
Next show at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade  "Beauty and the Beast"  December 28-January 2