North Shore Music Theatre Presents CATS, Now thru 9/1

North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is ready to work its magic, once again, to transport audiences to a purrrr-fect evening at "The Jellicle Ball," in CATS, one of Broadway's longest running musicals. The show leaps onto the stage for two weeks only starting tonight, August 20 and playing through Sunday, September 1.

"Having produced an extremely successful production of Cats earlier this month at Theatre By The Sea in Rhode Island, I can guarantee you that this production, once again under the direction of Richard Stafford, will astound audiences with is unique in-the-round staging and dazzling choreography." said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "By producing Cats at both of my venues, while not an entirely shared production, we are able to share many elements of the show and help keep the quality of the production high while keeping the costs down. It is win/win for both the audiences and the businesses."

Based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot, CATS, which contains no spoken dialogue, revolves around the antics of such feline characters as Old Deuteronomy, Jennyanydots, Mr. Mistoffelees, Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks and Grizabella who sings the crossover hit song "Memory."

Originally produced at the New London Theatre on May 11, 1981, CATS began its New York run at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 7, 1982. The show won seven 1983 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. On September 10, 2000 CATS, finally hung up its whiskers after nearly 18 years, and a record 7,485 performances. The show's appeal is clearly universal, as it has been translated into over 20 languages. As time has proven, CATS is truly now and forever.

North Shore Music Theatre's production of CATS will feature Katy Blake (Grizabella), Erica Cenci (Rumpleteazer), Lynn Craig(Jellylorum/Griddlebone), Mark Donaldson (Mongojerrie), Jordan Dunlap (Victoria), Molly Emerson (Silabub), Jesse Factor (Coricopat), Blayne Gregg-Miller (Tantomile), Laura Elizabeth Henning (Cassandra), Trent Armand Kendall (Old Deuteronomy), Ryan Koss (Mistoffelees), Kevin Loreque (Rum Tum Tugger), Joe Moeller (Macavity), Bronson Norris Murphy (Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones), Ian Parmenter (Munkustrap),Amanda Pulcini (Jennyanydots), Lauren Sprague (Bombalurina), Jonathan Stahl (Skimbleshanks), Erica Sweany (Demeter), Lucas Thompson(Alonzo), and Brad Trump (Tumblebrutus).

Director/Choreographer Richard Stafford will bring CATS to life on North Shore Music Theatre's stage. Mr. Stafford has extensive experience with CATS, having performed in and served as the dance supervisor on the Broadway production, and directing and choreographing several touring and regional productions of CATS. His previous shows at North Shore Music Theatre includes 9 to 5, The King & I, Singin' In The Rain, Crazy For You, Fame, Swing, and the 2003 production of Cats. Mr. Stafford's work has been seen around the country and around the world in directing and/or choreographing productions of The Full Monty, Curtains, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver!, The Who's Tommy, Phantom, Evita, Oklahoma!, On the Town, Camelot, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, She Loves Me, Grand Hotel and The Goodbye Girl.

Milton Granger will serve as the production's Music Director. Scenery will be adapted by Anthony R. Phelps based on original scenic design by Howard C. Jones. Costumes will be coordinated by Paula Peasley-Ninestein and provided by Kansas City Costume Co. The CATS creative team will also include Ken Smith (Lighting Designer), Benjamin Furiga (Sound Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager), Jonathan Stahl (Associate Director/Choreographer), Phill Madore (Assistant Stage Manager), Jihwan Kim (Assistant Music Director), Binder Casting (Casting). CATS is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Arianna Knapp(Artistic Director), and Beth Vasta (Associate Producer).

Tickets for the CATS are priced from $45 - $75. Performances are August 20 through September 1, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. There has been a 2pm matinee added on Thurs, August 29. Kids 18 and under save 50% on 'Family Friday'- August 23 at 8 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on August 27 after the 7:30 pm performance and August 31 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc.) on August 29 after the 7:30 pm performance.

The 2013 musical season continues with La Cage aux Folles (September 24 - October 6) starring Charles Shaughnessy, Miss Saigon(November 5 - 17), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol (December 6 - 22), starring David Coffee, celebrating 20 years as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Photo by Steven Richard Photography