MRS. SMITH'S BROADWAY CAT-TACULAR! Opens Off-Broadway Tonight

Cardinal Theatricals presents the Off Broadway premiere of Mrs. Smith's Broadway Cat-tacular!, an all-singing, all-dancing "demented cabaret on acid," created and performed by New York based writer/actor and performance artist David Hanbury. Joining Mrs. Smith onstage will be her two "Broadway Boys" Brandon Haagenson and Ken Lear. Directed by Andrew Rasmussen, performances began on July 10th at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street - between 8th & 9thAvenue). Opening Night is set for tonight, July 20th at 7:30pm. Performances will continue through September 20th.

Mrs. Smith is a woman on the verge of a cat-based breakdown - in search of her missing cat, Carlyle. To overcome the grief and rage of this "personal apocalypse," she's tried psychoanalysis, New Age therapies and, now, mounting a Broadway-style musical spectacular where her bizarre life story is re-enacted in delirious song and dance. With the aid of her dapper Broadway Boys, Mrs. Smith puts her laugh-out-loud spin on the perilous highs and lows of fame, fortune and superstardom. Featuring classic Broadway hits like "Cabaret," "One Night in Bangkok," "The Cat That Got Away" and many more, this cat-tacular is a deftly executed character comedy with tap dancing, puppetry, video flashbacks, and virtuosic electric guitar.

Mrs. Smith's Broadway Cat-tacular! has wowed audiences from Minneapolis to Boston to NYC with sold-out engagements at prestigious venues such as A.R.T.'s Oberon Theater to NYC's The Laurie Beechman and now it's clawing its way to Off-Broadway!

"A Broadway spectacular is the perfect comedic container for Mrs. Smith's overblown and ridiculous life tale," says Hanbury. "It allows for both comedy and pathos, which has always been a hallmark of my work as Smith." Mrs. Smith will be joined onstage by her multi-talented "Broadway Boys," Brandon and Kenny who embody, (through song, puppetry and dance) a cast of thousands. Toni Ostini is Production Stage Manager.

Mrs. Smith promises, "I will finally tell the whole story - even if it kills me. And it might... I definitely have mixed feelings about the fact that we're selling tickets to what could end up being my 'live on stage' bodily death. BTW, have you seen this cat?"

Mrs. Smith's Broadway Cat-tacular! will play the following performance schedule: Friday & Saturday at 8pm , Sunday & Monday at 7:30pm. Tickets are $79.50 & $99.50 (Premium Seats with cookies by "Schmackary's"), and may be purchased online at www.ticketcentral.com or by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 from noon to 8pm daily.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride