Cats 1981 - Articles Page 9

Ages: 6+
Opened: May 11, 1981
Closing: May 11, 2002

Cats - 1981 - West End History , Info & More

Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot

The longest running, most popular, North American Touring Production in history!



There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theatre than with the magic, the mystery, the memory of CATS. What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song "Memory."

Cats - 1981 - West End Cast

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Cats - 1981 - West End Articles Page 9

VIDEO: CATS Star Leona Lewis Talks Broadway Debut on 'CBS This Morning'
by Caryn Robbins - Aug 3, 2016


Leona Lewis, who launched her career in 2006 when she won the third season of the U.K.'s 'The X Factor,' makes her Broadway debut in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony-winning classic, CATS.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Credits Son for Leona Lewis CATS Casting
by Caryn Robbins - Aug 2, 2016


Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed that the idea to bring Lewis in for latest production was the brainstorm of his son Alastair, who works at Island Records and put together Lewis' most recent album.

Review Roundup: CATS Returns to Broadway- All the Reviews!
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 31, 2016


The first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, CATS, returns to Broadway tonight at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd Street).

Letting the Memory Live Again- How CATS Became a Phenomenon
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 31, 2016


The marquee in front of the Neil Simon Theatre encourages passersby to 'let the memory live again.' It's been almost thirty-four years since Grizabella, Mistoffelees and Rum Tum Tugger first bowed on Broadway, and now in 2016, the jellicles are back with a vengence. The impact that the show has had on audiences has been famously polarizing, and yet few other musicals in Broadway history have achieved greater success and notoriety than Cats.

SHOWTUNE SHUFFLE: Grizabellas Everywhere Sing a CATS Classic... 'Memory'
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 30, 2016


Since it was performed the first time in 1981, 'Memory' has become one of the most beloved songs in the history of musical theatre. Now the tune has returned to the stage it to which it belongs, as CATS opens again on Broadway tomorrow, July 31. 

CATS Will Perform on GOOD MORNING AMERICA This Thursday
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 25, 2016


Cats officially returns to Broadway on Sunday, July 31, when it opens at the Neil Simon Theatre, but fans need not wait that long to catch the cast in action. The cast will perform on Good Morning America this Thursday, July 28. Tune in to ABC to watch the company perform!

Photo Flash: Jellicle CATS Come out Tonight - First Look at the Broadway Revival!
by Rebecca Russo - Jul 21, 2016


Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot's 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,' the original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre (currently home to Lloyd Webber's newest hit, School of Rock - The Musical), where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization. The creative team for the new Broadway production of CATS includes John Napier (Scenic & Costume Design), Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), Mick Potter (Sound Design), choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, and direction by Trevor Nunn.

Lillias White Visits Trent Armand Kendall's BROADWAY DOWNLOAD Radio Show
by BWW News Desk - Jul 18, 2016


The world has loved the show-stopping Lillias White since she made her Broadway debut in Barnum in 1981. A Brooklyn native, White understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of Dreamgirls and performed in the role in the 1987 revival. Since, Lillias White has taken television, film, and the stage by storm!

FSCJ Artist Series Sets CATS as 11th Annual Summer Musical Theater Experience
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 12, 2016


FSCJ Artist Series and the FSCJ Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts are proud to present the 11th Annual High School Summer Musical Theatre Experience!  This program provides theatre opportunities to 7th-12th graders in the First Coast area and allows them to work hands-on with some of the highest recognized local and regional theatre professionals. 

Writers Theatre Extends Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 6, 2016


Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, announces a one-week extension to Company, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production is directed by William Brown. Company features original orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, Orchestral Reductions by Ian Weinberger, music direction by Tom Vendafreddo and choreography by Brock Clawson. The show, originally slated to run through July 31, 2016, will add an additional week, through August 7, in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Explains That Andy Blankenbuehler's CATS Choreography Will Be 'Homage' to Gillian Lynne
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 20, 2016


Now Andrew Lloyd Webber has responded in another interview with the Stage. He explains: 'It's a huge homage to Gillian Lynne. It will be very much faithful to Gillian's work. We are so lucky that the choreographer of the hottest show for years grew up on Cats and wanted to take it to a new level.'

Más de 200 aficionados a la música cantarán El musical participatiu
by Felipe Velasco - Jun 17, 2016


Este concierto participativo ofrece a mas de 200 personas aficionadas a la musica la oportunidad de participar, junto con solistas y la emblematica orquesta, en un emotivo recorrido por la historia del teatro musical, desde sus origenes hasta hoy, a partir de fragmentos de algunos de los musicales mas emblematicos: Chicago, Hello Dolly!, Hairspray, Cats o los Miserables.

Something's Coming: A First Look at the Broadway Season Ahead!
by Nora Dominick - Jun 19, 2016


The 2016 Tony Awards are in the history books, so now it's time to look ahead at the 2016-2017 Broadway season. With new musicals and plays about to descend to Broadway and amazing revivals of classic plays and musicals ready to entrance a new audience, BroadwayWorld has rounded up everything arriving next season!

Photo Flash: The Jellicles of Broadway-Bound CATS Pose in Rehearsal!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 10, 2016


Can't wait for the Jellicle Ball to begin? Neither can we! Check out a photo of the cast in rehearsal below!

CATS to Play King's Theatre Glasgow This Autumn
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 10, 2016


?On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Photo Flash: Leona Lewis Visits New Broadway Home of CATS!
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 9, 2016


British pop star Leona Lewis will play the role of 'Grizabella,' the Glamour Cat, in the first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats, returning to Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre. Preview performances are set to begin Thursday, July 14, 2016, and an official opening set for Sunday, July 31, 2016. The musical's Twitter account has just posted a photo of Lewis visiting the Neil Simon - check it out below!

CATS Choreographer Gillian Lynne 'Very Angry' Over Blankenbuehler Hiring
by Caryn Robbins - Jun 8, 2016


CATS choreographer Gillian Lynne has some strong words for the powers that be behind the upcoming Broadway revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece.

Official: CATS Finds Its Grizabella- Leona Lewis Will Play the Glamour Cat on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - May 26, 2016


Producers The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization announced today that chart-topping British pop star Leona Lewis will play the role of 'Grizabella,' the Glamour Cat, in the first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, CATS. One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will return to Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd Street) with preview performances beginning Thursday, July 14, 2016, and an official opening set for Sunday, July 31, 2016.

Broadway Sound Designer Abe Jacob to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Live Design Awards
by Tyler Peterson - May 18, 2016


Legendary theatrical sound designer Abe Jacob will be honored for his pioneering career achievements at the Live Design Awards on Monday, June 13 in New York. Another legendary icon, Chita Rivera, will present the award to Jacob, whom she has known since the original Broadway production of CHICAGO (1975).

Breaking News: Cast Announced for CATS Revival!
by Robert Diamond - May 9, 2016


Producers The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization have announced the cast for the first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, CATS. One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will return to Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre(250 W 52nd Street) with preview performances beginning Thursday, July 14, 2016, and an official opening set for Sunday, July 31, 2016.

Tom Hooper Crafting Film Adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS; Movie Eyes 2017-18 Start
by Jessica Khan - May 5, 2016


Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical CATS, based on the poetry of T.S. Eliot, is one tiptoe closer to the big screen.

CATS' Dame Gillian Lynne Offers Top Ten Tips For Choreography
by Michael Dale - May 3, 2016


She became a major star with her choreography for the original production of CATS, and will be on hand as an associate for the upcoming Broadway revival.

BWW Feature: From Page to Stage, Broadway Draws Inspiration From Literary Classics
by Alexa Spiegel - Apr 2, 2016


In a time where source material is a controversial topic, many people state that there have been a lack of original ideas for Broadway shows. Recently, movie adaptations have been the newest trend to hit the stage. However, adaptations are certainly not a new phenomenon. Since the beginning of what is generally considered the traditional Broadway musical, shows have been adapted from other works. Classic shows such as SHOW BOAT and THE KING AND I found the origins to their stories in novels. More recently, novel adaptations have found success with THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and the 2014 Tony Winner for Best Musical, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

BWW Review: CATS Are Prowling In Adelaide Again
by Barry Lenny - Mar 21, 2016


A standing ovation by the entire audience with applause going on and on, showed that the performance was a success.

Tom Hooper to Direct Big Screen Adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS?
by Caryn Robbins - Feb 8, 2016


Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical Cats will be making its return to Broadway this summer. But is the feline fantasy also heading to the big screen?

Other Productions of Cats

1981   West End Original London Production
West End
1982   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2004   London Fringe London Revival
London Fringe
2011   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
2014   West End West End Revival
West End
2016   West End West End 2015 Revival Production
West End
2016   Broadway Broadway Revival Production
Broadway
2019   US Tour US Revival Tour
US Tour
2021   US Tour Non-Equity Tour
US Tour
2024   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Production
Off-Broadway

Cats - 1981 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2002 Olivier Awards Audience Award for Most Popular Show 0
1981 Evening Standard Awards Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical 0
1981 Olivier Awards Actor of the Year in a Musical Wayne Sleep
1981 Olivier Awards Designer of the Year John Napier
1981 Olivier Awards Director of the Year Trevor Nunn
1981 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Andrew Lloyd Webber
1981 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Trevor Nunn
1981 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Richard Stilgoe
1981 Olivier Awards Outstanding Achievement of the Year in a Musical Gillian Lynne

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