From Matt:
2/03
I just sent my trip report to Delilah (who peeks in every now and then) to put up on her web page. Pending some editing and her comments (she is a good friend and my best critic), I'm sure she'll put it up. Thanks to Brian for clearing up the Kevin Wanzor question. (Note to self: next time I see the show, bring a pen to write down all the cast changes.)
And I actually got through a second trip report without smart cracks on any of the following (and those who've been here long enough and know me have a good idea of what's coming): 1--Munkustrap having a bug up his butt (although I really didn't need to, I loved Joshua John Edwards' portrayal of Munk) and 2--Old Deuteronomy and "neck lines" (this is a running gag stemming from when I did a spoof called "The Rocky Tugger Picture Show" and cast Old D as the criminologist).
WIth that said--
I said it before and I'll say it again. Joshua John Edwards was a TERRIFIC Munkustrap! I enjoyed him mainly because of the energy he put into his performance and because he made Munkustrap more of a younger, more energetic cat...not too kittenish but not too adult either. So many times Munkustrap performers make him out to be very headstrong, yet because of his position among the Cats, he is painted out as not being able to really have a good time (on account of Macavity scares, making sure things go right, etc.). This is not a bad thing, after all I know several people who wouldn't mind having the grey and silver tabby watching their backs. But it was refreshing to see Munk portrayed in a different way than he normally is. I could tell that Joshua was having a really good time with this part, and he deserves a lot of credit for thinking outside the box.
I was also glad to see Stan Stanley. He wasn't on when I saw the tour in Chicago last year (actually it was Brian who was playing him), and well...he was Tugger-rific! He really has the charisma for the Rum Tum Tugger. I've noticed there are two "schools" of thought for Tugger performers. There are some who make the Tugger out to be extremely full of himself (*coughJohnPartridgecough*) to the point where he seems like he doesn't want to be around the rest of the Cats for too long (well, except for the mating)...and then there are those who make him out to be this hard-rockin' wild cat who just wants to have a good time. Stan definitely fits in the category of the latter, and then some. I could see that he was also having a lot of fun with it, especially when he coerced the woman into dancing with him and once the crowd applauded her, had her blow a "Dating Game"-style kiss to them.
Karl Warden--Awesome job with Macavity!!! I could tell he was really putting his heart into making Macavity the bada** we all know and love. And did he ever! Munk didn't have a chance! =) And he was also REALLY fun to watch as Plato...especially at the bows when he was doing his Tugger imitation and doing handstands. (Do you do the Tugger thing every night? I've never seen anyone do that before!)
Kevin Wanzor--Good luck as Asparagus/Growltiger/Bustopher! I know you'll do an awesome job! I liked how you stayed in character even after "Gus: the Theatre Cat" was over. (I caught it during Griz's tire ride.) Growltiger's a tough role to perform and I know you'll be a success.
Ryan Jackson--best Misto I've seen since I saw the show in NY, and that is probably the best compliment I can give to a Misto performer. I counted 28 spins this time...job well done! I loved his interaction with the Tugger (more so than any other time I saw the show)...especially when the Tugger was using his tail as a fan to cool Misto off during his dance. Somewhere up in the heavens Timothy Scott is smiling down upon you, Ryan! Way to do Victoria's leg lift before the bows too!
Mario Martinez and Katie Ann Wanner--what a terrific Mungo n' Teaza! I know this is not Katie Ann Wanner's normal role, but she did a TERRIFIC job, she had just the right voice for Teaza. And I loved the faces Mario made after the duo got caught. That's one of the most demanding songs in the show, and these two REALLY did a great job.
Nicole Johndrow--WOW! What a TERRIFIC voice...and I loved her HILARIOUS Griddlebone performance...especially when Kevin got a faceful of white fluff as she was tossing her tail back and forth. (I wonder if that was supposed to happen. Even if it wasn't, it was still quite hilarious and only added to the humor of "Growltiger's Last Stand".) To be honest, I don't think I've ever heard a bad Jellylorum/Griddlebone, and Nicole definitely kept the streak going.
Adam Walters--I was wondering if I'd get to see the big swing in the Macavity fight again...thanks for bringing it back! This Alonzo was REALLY holding his own against the ginger tabby too. He put his own stamp on Alonzo, which is what I admire in an actor.
Lucie Wood & Robin Wilner--great job as Bombalurina and Demeter on Macavity, and Lucie...way to put the Tugger in his place at the end! My friend loves "Macavity" and the character of Bombalurina, and I think she enjoyed your performance!
Jessica Lea Patty--I had missed seeing her as Demeter when I saw the tour in Chicago last year, and I was glad to see her as Cassandra this time around. Such a graceful dancer too (she was easy to observe since she was RIGHT in front of me during "Grizabella the Glamour Cat"!). I LOVE the makeup design too...Cassandra is rapidly becoming my favorite female cat because of this...I also noticed that her Cassandra has a thing for Munkustrap too! (I've only seen that ONE other time...)
Dee Ruscioli--What an awesome Grizabella! Wonderful job with "Memory"...you deserved every bit of that applause you got at song's end. I liked the unique spin you put on the costume too (the little things I notice from sitting in the second row!)...
Staci Rudnitsky--What an energetic Jennyanydots! I think she's pretty much perfected this part. I liked her spin on it...instead of trundling out of the oven, having someone else open the oven and seeing her sound asleep. This definitely made her more catlike, ergo, more convincing...I mean, who here among us hasn't had or been around a cat that doesn't sleep 23 out of 24 hours a day?
Martin C. Hurt--Awesome job as Old Deuteronomy! I really liked his voice, very reassuring. Reminded me a lot of two of the originators--Ken Page (Bway) and John Wood (Australia). It still never ceases to amaze me how he (or ANY Old D performer) can sit still for that long during the intermission. Job well done!
Eric Shorey & Joey Abramowicz (hope I spelled your name right)--Nice job as Pouncival and Tumblebrutus. Watching these two during "Bustopher Jones" was a sheer joy, as they were always getting into trouble during this song, either playing with BJ's tail or getting too close to him to the point where Skimbleshanks would have to reprimand them. And Joey was quite the convincing little kitten during "Gus" too...when he was snoozing on the oven, I thought he was legitimately asleep for a minute! (Another unique twist...normally Pouncival and Tumblebrutus get pretty restless during this song, but Tumblebrutus was taking a little catnap and Pouncival was pretty well-behaved this time around.)
Molly Logan--wonderful job as Sillabub. She, like the rest of the cast, had a very beautiful voice.
Adam Lendermon--What an animated Skimbleshanks! I give credit to ANYONE who performs this part because this number is so elaborate. I also enjoyed how he was tormenting Alonzo during "The Old Gumbie Cat".
Jean Michelle Sayeg--Another very graceful dancer. Victoria's solo dance is always a highlight for me each time I see the show, and again, I give all the credit in the world to ANYONE who performs her, because of the flexibility involved with the Invitation.
Brian Collier--Thanks again for the info, and BTW, when I saw the tour in Chicago last year, I saw you as the Tugger. I could tell that you (and the rest of the cast) have REALLY done their homework as far as both portraying the Cats and putting their own spins on them. JOB WELL DONE!!!
Swings--If I didn't see you on for someone this time...maybe next time...=)