Musical Theatre West presents 'CATS,' Closes 2/27

Musical Theatre West is proud to announce its upcoming production of CATS at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. CATS closes February 27, 2011.

Based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, CATS is set at the annual reunion of the Jellicle cats at the Jellicle Ball. The eldest of this special breed, Old Deuteronomy, seeks to select which of the many cats in the neighborhood will be reborn to begin another life. Potential candidates named Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger, and Bustopher Jones plead their case. Ultimately, it is Grizabella's plea for a new life that wins the old cat over. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song "Memory."

The original production opened at the New London Theatre in the West End on May 11, 1981. CATS opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 7, 1982 and continued to live up to its motto of playing "Now and Forever," running until its closing in September, 2000. On June 19, 1997 the show became the longest-running musical on Broadway.

CATS was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with Lyrics by T.S. Elliot, Trevor Nunn, and Richard Stilgoe. Dana Solimando directs and choreographs Musical Theatre West's production with musical direction by Dennis Castellano.

CATS is the second show of Musical Theatre West's 2010-2011 Season and is made possible through the generous contributions of Associate Producers Jon and Amanda Hall and the Friends of Don Garman. Youth Outreach performances for CATS are made possible through the generous contributions of Sheldon and Shell Whitney Grossman and Larry and Shari Nemirow. Musical Theatre West's 2010-2011 Season Sponsors are the Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation and Ken and Dottie Reiner.

ABOUT MUSICAL Theatre West

Now in its 58th season, Musical Theatre West is Southern California's premier musical theatre company. Under the leadership of Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman, the company has garnered numerous awards and accolades for its work presenting the entire spectrum of musical comedy (including 21 Ovation Award nominations over the past three seasons and the Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre).

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The performance schedule for CATS is Thursdays and through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 7 p.m. performance added on February 20th. Tickets start at $30, with last-row seating available at an additional discount. There is a $3 service charge per ticket. Prices are subject to change without notice. Group rates are available for 15 or more.

Tickets for CATS are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.musical.org or after January 3rd by phone at 562-856-1999 x4. Tickets may also be purchased in person after January 3rd at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street in Long Beach, CA.

For more information on Musical Theatre West's production of CATS, please visit www.musical.org.

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