Cats Previews- Page 4

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 1:38am

Let RW3 be bothered. It's highly unprofessional of them, in my opinion.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 3:18am

caringtype1 said: "Just got home. I didn't really know much about the show, I had never seen it before and the only song I knew was Memory. I loved it. I thought it was a bizarre, beautiful exercise in tone. The costumes and the lighting were, in particular, excellent. The dancing was fantastic. Not all of the numbers worked for me, for example the train number kind of dragged. Leona Lewis was fine for most of it, but she really sold me when she sang Memory in the second act. 

 

This is the musical that most people forget where it came from when their hate comes out.

It really is not about cats, and it amazes me when this fact is ignored.

The animal used here serves as the means for the poet as an analogy of traits to analyze the humans of his time; their professions, status, behaviors and how they are perceived and were treated by others. 

This is more performance art than theater, it is a modern cantata. But the hype really seems to have some audiences taken the show at face value. This is sad in my opinion, I wish more collections of poetic works could have some sort of narrative and performed to music, if not song and dance. Up until today, I can't think there is any other musical like it in structure and presentation.

I wonder if within our lifetime we will see another musical based on poetry that is as successful as this one.

The work may seems simple but I like how much it represents modern arts in performance. It will always seem innovative to me. 

 

Updated On: 7/15/16 at 03:18 AM

[blm2323]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 3:26am

Wait, what? You had to leave the show (I'm glad you didn't put up with it!) after 10 minutes? What happened to person filming/shoving? 

I've about given up on coming out to NYC to see shows (4-5 times per year seeing 3-4 shows each time) because every time I have a texter next to me, crinkly candies or people who always talk during the songs! Granted, I'm not afraid to tell them to stop but apparently now I need to worry about violence?!?!?

Sadly the worst behavior I experience is at shows in NYC. Perhaps because in Phoenix most of the theatre goers love the theatre and it isn't a "tourist" thing to do so they are better "trained" in theatre ettiquet. Whereas,  for a lot of people the only show they will ever see is the one time they are in NYC and have no clue what is appropriate. 

I still think Broadway shows need to do a quick education of proper theater behavior before the curtain. Get an actor out in front and tell them the rules...

And now back to thoughts on Cats!

 

 

 

[jo]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 4:36am

blaxx said: "caringtype1 said: "Just got home. I didn't really know much about the show, I had never seen it before and the only song I knew was Memory. I loved it. I thought it was a bizarre, beautiful exercise in tone. The costumes and the lighting were, in particular, excellent. The dancing was fantastic. Not all of the numbers worked for me, for example the train number kind of dragged. Leona Lewis was fine for most of it, but she really sold me when she sang Memory in the second act. 

 

This is the musical that most people forget where it came from when their hate comes out.

It really is not about cats, and it amazes me when this fact is ignored.

The animal used here serves as the means for the poet as an analogy of traits to analyze the humans of his time; their professions, status, behaviors and how they are perceived and were treated by others. 

This is more performance art than theater, it is a modern cantata. But the hype really seems to have some audiences taken the show at face value. This is sad in my opinion, I wish more collections of poetic works could have some sort of narrative and performed to music, if not song and dance. Up until today, I can't think there is any other musical like it in structure and presentation.

I wonder if within our lifetime we will see another musical based on poetry that is as successful as this one.

The work may seems simple but I like how much it represents modern arts in performance. It will always seem innovative to me. 

 

 

"

Very insightful! Thanks.

 

I had seen the original and wished I had that  same perspective then. It was only after I had listened to the cast recording and read what the poems were about that I appreciated what I had missed when I was watching it.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 5:15am

Yes, there are people who are interested in a show's website, because it gives us pertinent information about said show.  Would someone please scan the Cat's Playbill for us?  I'm curious to know Leona Lewis/ standby and/or understudy.   Thanks.  

[tazber]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 6:05am

blaxx said: "caringtype1 said: "Just got home. I didn't really know much about the show, I had never seen it before and the only song I knew was Memory. I loved it. I thought it was a bizarre, beautiful exercise in tone. The costumes and the lighting were, in particular, excellent. The dancing was fantastic. Not all of the numbers worked for me, for example the train number kind of dragged. Leona Lewis was fine for most of it, but she really sold me when she sang Memory in the second act. 

 

This is the musical that most people forget where it came from when their hate comes out.

It really is not about cats, and it amazes me when this fact is ignored.

The animal used here serves as the means for the poet as an analogy of traits to analyze the humans of his time; their professions, status, behaviors and how they are perceived and were treated by others. 

This is more performance art than theater, it is a modern cantata. But the hype really seems to have some audiences taken the show at face value. This is sad in my opinion, I wish more collections of poetic works could have some sort of narrative and performed to music, if not song and dance. Up until today, I can't think there is any other musical like it in structure and presentation.

I wonder if within our lifetime we will see another musical based on poetry that is as successful as this one.

The work may seems simple but I like how much it represents modern arts in performance. It will always seem innovative to me. 

 

 

"

Thank you blaxx

 

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 8:27am

Same. Thank you, Blaxx. I agree that was very insightful and a great way to put this piece into perspective. 

 

Ugh - LOVE this board!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 8:37am

RW3 said: "This is somewhat of a sidenote but it is actually bothering me that the cast and creative team have not been added to the website. "

I'm very surprised this has continued. I can't think of any website for a show that's ever made it to Broadway in the internet age that doesn't at least list some of these folks, or even with a "coming soon" page that is replaced at least in time for the first preview!

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 8:40am

I confess I was not a fan of the show the first time. I was bored to the point of irritation. I liked it a good deal more last evening. There was still much that was boring, especially the actor cat sequence in the second act that went on forever. But there were also scenes with considerable vitality and invention that seemed quite fresh, and music that I found attractive. The staging, design, choreography, sound and cast members were all top-notch. 

 

Updated On: 7/15/16 at 08:40 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 8:43am

^Just curious, where was your seat? Thanks.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 9:19am

 

This makes sense. After Eight is basically Grizabella without the introspection.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 10:06am

icecreambenjamin said: "New orchestrations?"

Yes, but not that most people would notice. It still sounds like the original, just re-orchestrated for a different combination of instruments (for example, no live brass). 
The orchestrations have not been re-imagined like the Evita revival, or many others.

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 10:17am

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Yes, there are people who are interested in a show's website, because it gives us pertinent information about said show.  Would someone please scan the Cat's Playbill for us?  I'm curious to know Leona Lewis/ standby and/or understudy.   Thanks.  

 

"

Her understudy is Jessica Hendy who played grizabella on Broadway in the original run in 1999 

Updated On: 7/15/16 at 10:17 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 10:21am

themysteriousgrowl said: " 

This makes sense. After Eight is basically Grizabella without the introspection.

 

"

Truth

[D91]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 10:39am

Sat is the first row of the Mezz last night. I have seen the show more times than I can count from the time I was 9 years old. I am 25 now!  I was extremely excited to see it again, but was ready to be disappointed. I WAS NOT!!! and trust me I find something wrong every time I go to see it because I always felt there was nothing that could live up to the times I saw it on Broadway!

The band was great it was rocking all night! Rum Tum Tugger was rockin.. Reminded me of a rock/country band maybe Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line but definitely felt like the Tugger that I always loved!

The Ball was great!

I loved how they moved the Pekes and Pollicles to the second act. I always felt like it had no place in the show, but trust me it works perfectly, and if you loved Growltiger you can here some on the melody's in the Pekes and Pollicles.  

Mister Mistoffelees was great! It is reworked but I thought it was great! The movement of Mistoffelees was amazing!

I was little underwhelmed with Grizz going to into the Heavyside Layer, and during the Overture there were no cats with flashing eyes through the audience. This could be due to the fact the there were still many coming into the theatre and it was already past 8.

I think some need to understand that CATS will NEVER be the same as it was. People and things change and you have to be open to those changes. It was still great! I am going back next week!

 

 

[MX888]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 11:26am

ZAKtheWEST said: "Well I really enjoyed the first ten minutes of cats. The man next to me however was not in a good metal place. He was using his phone, I didn't say anything during the overture and about halfway through the opening number he was still recording so I asked him to put it away. He told me to shut up and that I should leave if I knew what was good for me. I didn't say anything. An usher eventually shined a light at him and he put his phone away. We get to the first applause and I am clapping. He looks at me, call me a faggot and starts shoving me. I got up. Found the house manager. He post dated my seat. 

Theatre etiquette has hit an all time high!"

 

OMG! Such behavior is deplorable. I'm surprised that the guy wasn't kicked out by the house manager instead!

 

Any seating recommendations? Is front row mezz good for this production as well?

Updated On: 7/15/16 at 11:26 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 12:07pm

Thank you, Blaxx. So many people here don't get it.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 12:47pm

D91 said: "and during the Overture there were no cats with flashing eyes through the audience. This could be due to the fact the there were still many coming into the theatre and it was already past 8."

As it currently stands, the "Cat Eyes" are not in the production -- debate among the production team over whether or not they're artistically justified. Add me to the list of people who hope common sense prevails and they're reinstated, the audience reaction to that moment is always priceless.

[D91]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 1:05pm

trpguyy said: "D91 said: "and during the Overture there were no cats with flashing eyes through the audience. This could be due to the fact the there were still many coming into the theatre and it was already past 8."

As it currently stands, the "Cat Eyes" are not in the production -- debate among the production team over whether or not they're artistically justified. Add me to the list of people who hope common sense prevails and they're reinstated, the audience reaction to that moment is always priceless.

 

"

That is unfortunate! I hope they decide to go with the cat eyes... from what I saw there were many people looking around for the cats in the audience.. I was upset by that. Was one of the elements that dragged me in as a child!

Also, I wonder if they will be letting people on stage during intermission?? I believe this is still done in Europe!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 1:32pm

A nice quote from an article on Playbill today.

 

“People do have very strong opinions about Cats,” says Ubeda of the notoriously polarizing show. “If you really care about finding the emotional content and the metaphors for the human condition, I think it’s extremely touching, and I think it’s extremely deep, and I think it tells such an important story of acceptance.”

“There’s so much more of a story to it than what people may think,” says Hanes. “Andy’s done a really good job of enhancing the story with his own work and bringing new things to light, and so I know audiences will really embrace this.”

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 1:33pm

Link to the full article:

http://www.playbill.com/article/why-everyone-should-see-this-cats

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 2:20pm

regarding the cat eyes, do you all mean the electronic ones the cast wore as they ran through the audience or the little pairs of electronic eyes that are dotted all over the set?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 2:31pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I'm familiar enough with the show to know that I would not be pleased sitting in the theatre and watching a version of Cats that cuts the Growltiger number and moves Pekes and the Pollicles to the Growltiger spot in the second act. That sounds dreadful. As you say, people love this show. So do I but I love what it was. I don't have to love this."

 

Why does that matter. None of the songs actually advance the thin plot, so their placement in the show is mostly irrelevant. Personally, I don't get the love for the Growltiger number. I've always found it to be the worst scene in the show and the most boring. And no, you don't have to love it, but you have no valid criticism if you haven't seen it.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 2:36pm

best12bars said: "Thank you, Blaxx. So many people here don't get it.

 

"

On the other hand, when ALW approached Prince to direct it, Prince asked if it was a metaphor for for post Victorian England and its society. ALW replied "Hal, it's about •cats•".  

But of course I agree with Blaxx point. 

So glad to have it confirmed that there's no Rap Tum Tugger. This reworked direction makes more sense. I am a little surprised that Pekes and the Pollicles wasn't just cut--I always assumed it wasn't a fave of ALWs since it made so few recordings and was cut at least from the last tour I saw, though it's a fun enough sequence on stage and I can kinda see it working as Gus' theatre memory. I was never a big Growltiger fan--though I love the Billy McGraw part that wa replaced with that silly opera part for Broadway but apparently has returned to some UK tours (ALW reused the melody for the Starlight Express song Last Time I Fell in Love which was an addition to that show that seems to come and go as well). 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/15/16 at 2:40pm

Fosse76 said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I'm familiar enough with the show to know that I would not be pleased sitting in the theatre and watching a version of Cats that cuts the Growltiger number and moves Pekes and the Pollicles to the Growltiger spot in the second act. That sounds dreadful. As you say, people love this show. So do I but I love what it was. I don't have to love this."

 

Why does that matter. None of the songs actually advance the thin plot, so their placement in the show is mostly irrelevant. Personally, I don't get the love for the Growltiger number. I've always found it to be the worst scene in the show and the most boring. And no, you don't have to love it, but you have no valid criticism if you haven't seen it.

 

"

I agree. I wonder if one reason for its cutting could be fears of racism?  

Which version of Mungojerrie is used?  Sing by the characters or by Mistopheles?