MsJellicle's Creative Cats

Friday, June 23, 2000

Munk and Tanto's mother drove us into the city. Wow...what an experince THAT was! We found out how New Yorkers like to drive where they can when they can and park where they want to get to their destination. Munk and Tanto's mom finds a lane and claims it as her own when she's driving in it! It took us over an hour to get to our destination. But, we finally found the Novotel Hotel that Lady Grizabella was staying in with her parents. Entering the lobby, we were heading towards the elevators when a voice called out Shad's name and she turned around. Lady Griz was there waiting for us and gave us each a hug. She was a little wary of Nick however. (Sim: Are we seeing a pattern here? *grin*) But, She got used to him during the day, just like the rest of us did. We went up and met her parents. Then Munk and Tanto and their mother had to leave. So, Shad, Sim, Nick, and Lady Griz went out to see the sights. Before they started to take the *shudder* subway, Munk and Tanto's mom came over and offered to drive them to the Empire State Building. Fitting seven people in a car was quite interesting. Griz and Shad sat in the middle and shared a seatbelt! Good thing they were both very skinny! We then had to quickly jump out of the car and we walked to the ESB and had to walk around it a bit before we found the elevator to the top. The 102nd floor was closed, so we only made it to the 86th floor observatory. But the view was amazing and we took many pictures. We then took the elevators down and took a bus over to the courtyard across from the Winter Garden Theatre. We arrived at the courtyard at 1:50pm where Shadow announced she was hungry "again", so we went to MacDonald's. Everyone except Griz, who went back to her hotel room to finish eating her bagel from that morning. We took our food to the courtyard where we met everyone: JellicleKate, JemmiaKitty, Dax, Vlado-Munkustrap, Norriscan, Carbucketty, Whimsey, Donavan, Creole, MandaKay, RaeCat. After we put faces to names we all chatted for a little bit. Sim spotted a Starbucks and took off for it! After she came back the rest of our group decided it was time to go. We went up to Griz's room, where we talked some more about various subjects, and then decided to go souvenior shopping at "Backstage Memories". An hour later and many dollars short we went back to the hotel room with our bags. By this time Sim started to help Shadput on her makeup for her costume. Griz put her makeup on for her costume as well. The time came to pickup Tatters at Grand Central Station so we all headed out, faces painted and all. [Tatters only knew Shadow's face IRL, which was all painted up. We unfortunately did not know Tatter's face, so imagine the problems we are going to have!] We walked down the street according to the directions given us. Sim was amused by all the people who walked by Griz and Shad saying "Cats" whisper whisper "cats" whisper "cats" "cats" whisper whisper whisper... Arriving at the cross streets according to the directions given, we found that we were at the bus station and not at Grand Central. Hopping into a cab we had the cabbie take us to Grand Central rather than walk. The cabbie pointed to the building in front of us and said "Grand Central". We entered the building and saw no trains. Sim walked over to an employee and said "Can I ask a dumb question? Where is Grand Central Station?" The employee laughed and said "Downstairs". They walked around and found the escalators to Grand Central Station, with people still whispering "Cats". We walked over to the main information booth where Tatters said she would be, looking silly as we wondered what to do next as no one knew what she looked like. Shadow started to ask solo females if they were Tatters. Splitting up and walking around it was Tatters who found Shadow with the bright makeup on. We regrouped and headed out. We ended up having to take two cabs back to the hotel. [something about only 4 to a cab?!]

In Shadow and Tatter's cab Shadow told the driver, "To Novotel". Driver - "Don't know where that is." Shad - "Wintergarden Theater?" Driver - "I don't know where that is." Shad looked at Tatters. Tatters - "I don't know!" Shad - "Follow that cab?" Driver - "Can't do that. Too much traffic." [Which blows out every theory that Shadow had about taxis following others in NYC!] Shad finally remembered and guessed "Broadway and ... er... 52nd!" and they were on their way.

Before we got back to the hotel Shadow got hungry ...1, 2, 3... AGAIN! Once back at the hotel we all quickly changed into our outfits and costumes. Nick was allowed to get changed last being the only guy. Nick and Sim found that their outfits matched and they hadn't planned it that way. Munk and Tanto had ridden with their dad into the city, and it was hectic in that small room with the 6 of us cats, and 3 parents! Properly attired we headed down and across the road where we took pictures. We headed into the theatre and found our seats. Griz was sitting back in the theatre; Munk and Tanto were sitting way up and back in the balcony.

Sim spotted the Green-Eyed Monster sitting next to Dax behind us. We spotted many of the people we had met in the afternoon all around the theatre. Sitting down Nick spotted Bombs in her red dress and said "There is the Red Queen." Sim got up and went over to Dasha to introduce herself where they exchanged hello and hugs. Dasha immediately wanted to be introduced to Nick. Nick and Dasha said hello and hugged. Next Dasha was introduced to Shad and oddly enough they said hello and hugged. Dasha commenting to Shad, "You just had to wear a unitard?" Sim next took Dash over to meet Vlado, at which point the show was ready to start so we sat down in our seats.

Sim's thoughts and observations about the show.
Knowing what to expect, I looked to spot different cats that I knew would appear and where. A large smile was plastered on my face for 2 reasons. 1. I was enjoying the show so much. 2. It kept me from mouthing the words! *grin* Being so close up to the stage for the first time, however, I was able to see facial expressions and movements I had never noticed before. It was a wonder to behold the variety of "cat-like" movements and antics that the cast had picked up and entwined into their characters. Cats passed all around me and during Tugger's song when he came into the audience, his chains hit the back of my head. I loved Tumblebrutus and Pouncival's little antics during B.J. At intermission, we went up on stage and Shadow tried to bow to Old D in her costume, but it didn't turn out very well as a young boy had a hold on her tail! One of the stage-hands had thought that she was going to try to touch Deut and told her not to touch him. Old D, the whole time, just stared ahead without blinking (Impressed). For the first time, I also noticed that Griz was there listening to Old D tell the cats about the Moments of Happiness. Heidi Stallings did just a fabulous job as Griz. Skimble was the best ever!! I absolutely LOVED him!! I saw sweat flying from Mistoffelees as he did 34 turns in his song. I had very little interaction with the cats, but I had a great view of the cats playing with other members of the audience. I could see Misto and Skimble behind me and to the right. They played a bit with some audience members and during Pekes and Pollicles Skimble (I hope I'm remembering this correctly), Skimble put parts of his "pollicle" costume on the laps and heads of some audience members. Once he gets his costume one, though, he turns around and barks at the people sitting next to us, startling them! Meanwhile, during Macavity, a couple of kittens were cuddling up next to where Dasha was sitting. Towards the end, Munkustrap and Demeter came behind us, and I scratched Munks back as he passed. But it was great watching all of these antics that are totally missed on the video! There is nothing compared to the live version of CATS!

Nick-Ko-Las' thoughts on the show.
Hmmm well after having to wait for three women to get changed I was allowed into the bathroom to get changed. Then it was out the door down to the street across the road to the theatre. Finding our seats and sitting down I looked around taking all of the theatre in and spotting people all around it. Then everybody was told to get to their seats and the show started. Well what can you say than it was a blast. I noticed when Munkustrap was explaining what the Jellicle Ball was all about that Victoria as she stood behind him she was watching him to see what the next step was and then copying him. I thought to myself since the background story is that this is Victoria's first ball that it was the perfect thing to do. Rum-Tum Tugger was great and I found myself saying YES that is the way it is done! :O). At various times during the show I would feel a good solid thump on my arm as Sim, also know as MsJellicle, got my attention to point things out to me so I did not miss much of the action that was going on. Whoever had the cell phone that went off during memory should be scratched with several rusty nails, but the singing of Heidi Stallings will be what I remember over that. Also the audience's cheering for Keith Wilson when he first appeared as Rumpus Cat. There was so much cheering for him and cries of Keith that he had to acknowledge the cheers so the show could continue. Wish I could see it again.

Shadow's thoughts on the play.
My memories are slowly fading from that magical night, no matter how much I wish I could relive it again and again! Getting to the theater, we all stood outside taking pictures for a bit, before entering and seeing faces we recognized. Being dressed up in costume, I was feeling extremely self-conscious and had a lot of small kids pay attention to me. A lot of adults wanted my autograph, as well as some of them just wanted to stare. Getting to meet some more of the posters on musicals.net as the guy called out several times "No pictures please!" Then the performance actually began. Being right at the stage, it was almost too close for me! Cats were going up and down the aisle behind me, and in order to see them, I had to turn away from the magic of the stage. Decisions, decisions, and speaking of which *blush* Nick kept me from making a very bad one when Munk was standing right behind me. *grin!* Skimble barked nearby, Demeter hid right behind our seats. I was facinated by how scared she was, and kept looking to see her reactions. When the lights went up, I was also shocked and surprised to see Bombalurina "mating" with a tom almost in front of my sight, but drats! I missed seeing who he was! I watched the startrap closely, because for once in my life, I wanted to see Rumpus Cat come out! We all clapped like crazy for him too. :o) Watching closely the dancing [I love that!] and the different cats who moved slightly different from the group dancing. I also seemed to watch Cassandra a lot. I really like the "Egyptian" way about her, and her hissing at that fresh tom with claws was just so catlike! Almost all of the movements facinated me - from the dancing to the cat-like poses. After the show, Shad and Nick had to take Tatters back to Grand Central Station. Shad was surprised at how hard it was to get a cab...especially since she was still in her costume! I guess no cabbie wanted to pick up a "cat" for a fare! But they made it fine and Tatters didn't want to go home, but she finally gave them a hug and got on her train. Sim, Griz, Munks, Tanto, and the twins, dad returned to Griz's hotel room where Griz and Munk washed their face of their make-up. The group then went downstairs where they saw Nick and Shad returning so Shad could change out of her costume. Then everyone made it to the party at TGI Friday's where we met the cast (Let's see if I can remember everyone here. Keith [of course], Lenny, Jon-Erik, Jeffry, Billy, Julius, and more). We also got to meet the other fans that we've posted with on Musicals.net (Again with the remembering part...There was Dasha, SDPaul, Chessnamoon, Whimsey, Carbuckety, Gintora, Green-Eyed-Monster, Talis, Rio, 'Stofflees, Mandakay, Little Griz, Sunshcat, Vlado (Munkustrap), Nosrrican, Dax, Donovan, Creol, JellicleKate, Jack Shot, Alonzo, [I think ResQdog was there as well, but I didn't meet her.], Adas, Lynette, and of course ourselves (MsJellicle, Shadowcat, Nick-Ko-Las, Lady Grizabella, Munks, Tanto, and their dad. I'm sure there were more but it was hard to meet everyone with so many people there.)

It was quite interesting when we talked with Lenny Daniels! He was telling us all kinds of information about the chroeography and story with it. He told us that just about every cat there has a point in the show where he/she has a revelation or something to that effect. Alonzo's revelation is that he's been strutting about the stage (And protecting his liscense plate! Hehehe.)the whole show. When Munkustrap is defeated by Macavity, the cats look to Alonzo saying "Well? You've been strutting about the whole time! Now do something about it!!" And it's after that in which Alonzo and Demeter become girlfriend and boyfriend. :o) Then there was Rum Tum Tugger's revelation when he wanted to take the credit for bringing in Old Deuteronomy, but instead he pointed out Mistoffelees and let Old Deuteronomy know that it was Misto who brought him back. He also told us of how Grizabella listened to Old Deuteronomy tell the Jellicles about the moments of Happiness and when she goes to sing "Memory", She's basically telling them "I know you know better! Shame on you for treating me this way, but I don't need you! I've come to say what I have to say and I don't need you!" Lenny was eating some chocolate cake as he talked to us and was so enthusiastic about what he knew and was so willing to share!! We just loved it, and I'm sure he did too! We finally had to leave the party around 3:00am because we were all tired, and we made it back to Munk and Tanto's home on Staten Island where we all fell dead asleep!