From Roxanne:
April 16, 2004 - April 18, 2004
Let me just say that I still can't get over seeing CATS live. I knew I was seeing it three full times, and still, I sat in my seat rather impatiently waiting for the show to start, and started gasping for breath and fighting urges to scream. O.o It's just so exciting....couldn't help it.... I must say I was very pleased with my seat in most aspects. It was six rows from the stage, and was the start of the new section after the orchestra pit, so I had maybe three feet of space in front of me (plus the aisle next to me). Very nice. Except that the man sitting in the pit right in my line of vision happened to be very tall and wearing (rather disturbingly, I might add), a pair of headband leopard print kitty ears. -_- So besides being a bit odd, I was forced to crane my head about on either side to see much. *rubs a very very sore neck* But, fortunately, I could still see much. I didn't really need the best view of Gus anyway, right?
Okay, so anywho.... the show started. Names of swings were listed (Sillabub was played by Jamie Markovich, Victoria by Jacqueline Stedman (usual Silla), Rumpel by Jenny Florkowski, and Tumble by Gregory Haney), and the lights when down. The music was very good (as always....X) ), and I just relished the anticipation of the whole overture, shaking in my seat. All that I really saw was the light show and such, because the CATS didn't come far enough down in the audience for me to see. I could only make out glowing green things behind me. But, you know....
Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats was very good. Just getting properly acclimated to the cast here. I love the soprano voices of Jennyanydots (Suzanne Dressler) and Jellylorum (Kym Chambers). Very pretty. And I still absolutely love Demeter's cossie. Much of the number had VERY similar choreography to the vid, which was nice in a way, because I could follow the movements, yet it was still the dancer's own work and all...just very cool to see.
Nothing extra really happened, but there's not too much room for that anway. X) But then the Naming of Cats.... They started out all on the stage, just staring at people and such things, but as the music became more compelling, they came out to line the audience. Jennyanydots came and stood right 'next to me' (four seats to the left), and I couldn't help but mouth the words along with them.... She caught my eye and gave me a confused sort of look, and then hissed, shaking her leg at me. And we had a sort of staring contest with me grinning. X) Until she looked away, like 'I don't know wot you're doing, but I'm better than you, so there'. Very nice.
The naming just blended right in with the invitation dance, which I'm sad to say, wasn't done as well as it might've been. I'm guessing Jacqueline hasn't played Victoria often enough, because she was VERY shakey, poor thing. X( The leg lift wasn't quite as stunning because of it. But other than that, she made a very cute Victoria.
Okay, so the Gumbie cat...Quaxo (Shane Hall) might've been able to play up the 'oops' factor after his assumed entrance at the beginning, but it was still all good. Jenny made quite a lovely Gumbie cat, very sweet, with a high-pitched little voice and a lovely soprano. She was very cute with her beetle's tattoo (comments such as 'I'm so proud of you!' and such throughout), and the tap number was spectacular as always, especially with the slightly newer score (drawn out a bit like in france, Japan, etc....hadn't realized it was played that way in the tour. same for Misto's music).
And then, the interruption by the Rum Tum Tugger. I must say, I hadn't realized quite how the character was played in the US, because all I'd seen was Stan Stanley, who really wasn't my idea of a Tugger. But Brian Gallagher did a much better job, and even though his voice really wasn't my piece of cake, he played the character himself very well. Very much more 'just having fun being himself' instead of 'full of himself rock star'. He kept grinning at the attention, like 'oh, cool, I didn't know it'd have that effect', and went a bit further. His 'about it's were really horrible, but the kittens kept on screaming, and he kept on grinning, milking it for all it was worth. It was really quite funny to watch.
And then Grizabella (Anne Brummel) showed up. She looked so sad the whole time, like she was about to cry. And not overacting at all, she did VERY well. I was quite amazed by her performance. And Demeter (Amber Cameron) did a very nice job. Her voice really captivated me. It kept switching between a light and airy, quiet, pretty sort of voice to a stronger, smoother sort of belting, it was really quite lovely.
Bustopher Jones. X) He came out, and the audience really seemed to find his appearance funny. Which he was, of course.... Jennyanydots was very obviously amourous, and kept getting ruffled when Bombalurina (Jackie Trippeer) made comments (such as him being fat) and such. So she'd continue on singing and sighing and squealing, very cutely I might add. It was funny, because it was coupled with bored kittens trying to pretend to be interested by Bustopher, and then getting scolded when they messed up. Mungo (Mario Martinez) and Tumble (I think it was Tumble...) kept trying to dare tumbles in front of Bustopher, and Skimble (Adam Ryan Tackett) was glaring at them. Much fun to watch. ^_^
Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer were VERY cute. It was funny how thick their american accents were... but it suited the characters more than I'd have thought it would. Rumpel had more of an indulging giggle than a light, airy one, it was quite funny. And they were such cute characters. They 'watched' the ming vase fall down, and Rumpel giggled and said 'uh-oh', and Mungo said 'oh-no,' and they went off in spurts of mad giggles to finish their song. Quite entertaining. X)
Old Deuteronomy was simply old Deuteronomy. Skimbleshanks went off to bring him as Munkustrap (Bo Ranney) sang, rather well I might add. And Tugger stood on the tyre, slouching and shrugging, like 'I suppose I could sing,' so he did. Munkustrap didn't seem to want to hand off the song, and batted at Tugger, but Tugger waved him away and kept on singing. That was basically it.
No Pekes and Pollicles (silly tour), so it went right into the ball. Some of the choreography was similar to the video, but enough of it was different where I still wasn't expecting everything. The ball is just always so energetic, I love it. Just watching the dance and soaking it in. Though that was when I noticed that they didn't have Cassandra on the stage. Too many understudies being used and none for Cass, I suppose. No offense to the character, but I can understand them not feeling the need to provide an understudy for the part, because it's easily filled in by other characters (though I still would've like to see her...maybe later. XP).
And the Ball flowed into Memory. As I said, I was stunned by Anne Brummel's performance. She really did a wonderful job. She seemed so sad, it made me want to cry. It led into the intermission very well, I couldn't wait for it to start up again.
As the CATS filtered back onstage, the kittens came about first. The boys were batting at the girls and annoying them much, it was quite funny. Mungo at one point slouched across one of the others and sort of hung on his back limp until he fell of. Very much reminded me of kittens, they did a very good job with it. And the moments of happiness began. Old Deuteronomy (Martin C. Hurt) had a very strong, deep voice, it fitted the character well. And Sillabub had a high, childlike voice. Not quite as pretty as it might've been, but fitted the character well enough.
And Gus. Jellylorum had a spectacular voice, she did it all very very well, but the kittens were obviously bored. They were crowded about Old Deuteronomy on the tyre. Mungo was playing hide and seek, popping out from behind OldD and then back in again, or poking Silla and giggling as she turned about and batted back at him in annoyance. Victoria fell asleep at one point, and Mungo kept batting at her ear, and they were all giggling, until she woke up again. They were just very cute to watch.
Growltiger's Last Stand... Griddlebone is still my favourite. X) Growltiger's singing his heart out in the aria, and she's flipping her tail in the air. 'Look at me, I'm fluffy and white and pretty!' And he's just singing away. Very funny. At her entrance, the motley crew lined up. Misto (Shane Hall) was just about to kiss her when she walked on to the next tom, and he nearly fell with a very confused look on his face. All the other toms were trying to look all macho and wot, 'flexing' and such things. They're just much fun to watch. The Siamese are always lovely as well. I love the way they dance. And the music. Mungo played a very nice Genghis as well. Always a good number.
Skimbleshanks...that was good! Very possibly one of the best numbers. US Tour Skimble is so refreshing after being fed on the older version of Skimble from London (though I do love london....make no mistake of that. X) ). He had a very good voice and played the part VERY well. I rather liked him much...
Macavity was done very well. As I said, I love Demeter's voice. Bombalurina was a bit too high, in my opinion, but it wasn't horribly done, she still did an excellent job. She played the character quite nicely. Her figure, though! She's like a Barbie Bomb or something! It was very nearly scary, made me jealous. XP Macavity himself did very well, from what I saw. Sadly, my view of the fight was horribly inhibited by the creepy guy with the kitty ears. But, you know. *shrugs* Maybe better next time...
Ah, Mistoffelees! Amazing! *beams* I love it so much. Misto didn't come down for his song from the ceiling, though, he appeared on the tyre in a shower of glitter. Still a very cool effect. And he went about shooting his silver streamers (of which I got a handful...*mad giggle*), and generally being a lovely sparkley kitty. I think I saw Tumble playing with one of the streamers in a corner, he got tangled up in it and had it in his mouth and such, so cute! Misto danced the number VERY well, always a joy to watch. 21 pirouettes this showing, done very well, spectacularly and wot. And wonderfully done leaps and such.
Memory...again, very sad. Grizabella was amazing, dude! *can't get over it* She was so happy when she got accepted. It was quite sweet. And she climbed up onto the tyre w/ OldD and then into her little silver cloud light UFO type thing. (good name, eh? ) And the Ad-dressing. Not too much action there, but still a spectacular number. Just before the finale, they all started dancing about again to Mistoffelees' song, and Grizabella came right back down. Mungo took the interval time to come crawling across the aisle in front of me and then down the aisle to my right, and grabbed the programme of someone three seats behind me in his mouth. The man kept trying to reach out to get it back, and Mungo would jerk his head back every time the hand got near. It was very cute! Right by me.... Very nice! And then the finale, where everyone did their tumbling and wot across the stage, and applause, and standing ovation, and all such things.
Ah, I love CATS. X) So awesome. They had a 'question and answer' thingy after the performance as well...everyone could come and sit in the pit (well, not everyone, but you know...), and the coordinator came out on stage w/ some of the swings, and some of the dancers showed up eventually, and they were answering questions. I shall have to write down such interesting things as this in my next, semi-condensed report, though...must go put on makeup. Much fun! Hope the tour's as great for everyone else as it was for me... Cheers!
Roxanne (who promises to write back later w/ more)
Ah, new performance....again, so amazing! Though a lot of it was similar to the other (of course... ), there were still those lovely little quirks. This time 'twas especially fun, because there was a planned meeting between me and online friend Juli (she's on the cossie forum, I believe) and three of her friends. They were all in full costume, so I went in face paint, and it was just so cool! Gaaah! Exciting much. X) Before the performance, we had maybe half an hour to hang about in the lobby, and the mobs of people were scary....O.o...half of them either thought we were in the show or wanted an autograph anywho. We made sure to tell them all that we weren't, but I suppose people value fans as well. X) Made me feel good, at any rate.
So we walked into the theatre to find seats, and it was funny, because have the audience who were there all ready turn around and gasped collectively....XD.... It was just fun. And we sat in the aisle until the show started, and then I got to be absorbed again....
The first really different moment was during the naming of cats. Not different, exactly, but personally rewarding. X) Jenny came up next to my row of seats again, and gave me the strangest look. I don't even believe I can describe it...just very confused, methinks.
Intermission, more scary mobs of people, more sitting in the aisle waiting for it to start, and such things. The kittens came on first again, Rumpel took a ride on Pouncival this time. Fun such things. And into the second act. 22 turns for Shane Hall as a spectacular Misto this time. X) Grizabella was still absolutely stunning. The journey to the heaviside layer (singing) blew me away. Before the finale, Mungojerrie came crawling down in front of me yet again, but I happened to be noticed this time. He gave me a confused look and then saw my tail ('twas in my lap) and had to sniff it before scuttling away down the aisle. That is, until he saw Juli (she was in a US Tour V Mungo cossie). His reaction was hilarious! He sat up and cocked his head and stared, VERY confused, and she stared right back, and the went about looking at each other and heads swaying and wot for a bit before he scuttled back up on stage. 'Twas so cute! X) Juli was laughing so hard.... XP It was just an awesome performance....
Ah, and afterwords, after the mobs of people finally left....XP....we were waiting in the lobby for the cast to come out. Note to people...never listen to ushers. -_- It turns out the cast came out outside instead of in the lobby, so we missed them. X( So on homeward.... Juli 'n' crew'd come in a limo, and I got to ride home with them! 'Twas much fun, we opened the sun roof and stood up three at a time to wave about at people, and then we blasted CATS and sung and RPed and other such things. 'Twas awesome! See?
Limos are great. Really, they are.
Possibly more updates after tomorrow. *big grin* Cheers!
Roxanne
Thanks for the positive feedback! Aw, I'm still so excited...gaaah....XP I just got back from seeing it a third time, and my heart's still pounding from the FANTASTIC ending! It was so awesome, even the third time around in three days....This trip report got a bit long as well...at least, long for the third time around. XP But it really was spectacular....
This time I took a friend from church, and we got there, ate some lunch, headed over to the theatre and wot. Finding seats...me trying to explain the thin plot line....such things. X) I love watching the blinking green lights behind me when the CATS run through the end of the audience during the overture....there's just something especially neat about that. And it begins...
Let's see...differences.... Cassandra came back! Feeling better, I suppose. But the other swings were still on... And I really have to say, the first night must've been the first night in a while (at least for Jacqueline as Vic and Jamie as Sillabub), because they really didn't do so well. Sillabub was rather off-key and Victoria very nearly fell several times during the solo dance. But they improve fast.... both were MUCH better, Victoria's dance was very smooth and Sillabub sang beautifully. It's nice being able to mark the improvement over such a short time. They were spectacular this time, they all were.
Okay...in the naming.... Jenny didn't catch my eye this time. Ah, well. *shrugs* 'Tis all good. X)
As I said, the Invitation dance was done smoothly this time and such.
During the Gumbie cat, Suzanne was a cute Gumbie yet again. So sweet! During the line of "their behaviour's not good, and their manners - not nice!", Silla turned around and shook her tail at the audience before sitting down. And I just love that tap number... *now wishes she could tap dance* It just looks (and sounds... ) so spectacular. At the end of the number, Munkustrap came up to her with the 'original' Gumbie coat and she waved him away. He looked very put out, and Bomba laughed.
The Rum Tum Tugger was still hilarious, joking off and quite enjoying his moment in the spotlight. Grizabella was haunting.
Bustopher Jones was rather amusing. He makes the funniest noise as he's about to fall off the hat backwards, a wailing 'ooooh!' sort of thing.
Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer are so adorable! Jenny Florkowskie really does a nice job swinging for Rumpelteazer, she's so cute.
Old Deuteronomy again, lead through the audience by Skimbleshanks. During Munk's first verse, Tugger's standing in the background mocking him and making various faces, and just as Munk is about to start the next verse, he butts in to sing instead, much to Munk's annoyance.
The Jellicle Ball was spectacular yet again... So much energy. Wow.... O.o I applaude the cast. And Grizabella was stunning again as well.
Intermission....souvenirs! *mad giggle* New shirts are always nice. XP And then to sit down again and watch the kittens play. More sloppy piggy-back riding and kitty piles, before the lights dim and Old Deuteronomy begins. Sillabub sang very well, also, very sweet.
Gus...more kitten antics! Mungojerrie found a page of newspaper and was playing with it, putting it over his head and such things. After a small squabble with Silla and Rumpel, he grabbed it up and pretended to read it for a moment before attempting to stick it to Old Deuteronomy's back.
Growltiger's Last Stand. The siamese are great, really they are. I just love the costumes. Same with Griddlebone. So fluffy! lol... After the duet, though, as the siamese circled round, they were...uhm... quite engaged front and centre. XP So I was content to watch the siamese dance about.
Skimbleshanks! He's so cool! *grin* I really do love the US Tour version of the character, it's just done very well. And it's always fun to watch the train 'materialize' from the various props.
And then Macavity...the number was danced terrifically again, and sung especially well this time. Alonzo's 'shadow dance' behind Demeter is just fantastic. And the fight scene as well is done very well, much tumbling... There's a time where, at one point where Alonzo's carrying on the fight, he grabs Macavity by the middle (or maybe he jumps...I don't remembre how they got into it) and Macavity's legs go over Alonzo's shoulders, and they spin about, so Macavity's head is just whirling about just above the floor... O.o...it's really spectacular.
Mistoffelees....such a cool number! Dancing was fantabulous yet again, 22 turns as well this time, and just much turning and leaping and such things. Cassandra got picked to go down the pipe this time (it had been Bombalurina when she wasn't there), and everything became happy again and wot. And Misto condenses and blows out the spotlight, and that's that.
Silla starts singing again, quite lovely, and Grizabella returns once again to render yet another emotionally wrenching display of Memory. I very nearly started crying again, quite seriously. Anne Brummel is amazing. And the crescendo at the end of the Journey to the Heaviside Layer absolutely blew me away, it's spectacular. Then the addressing of CATS, and the finale. Mungojerrie didn't come in my aisle this time, I suppose that's Cassandra's normal job. But he peeked up over the barrier between my row and the pit... The finale was spectacular as always, much clapping and cheering, Misto doing handless cartwheels (aerials, aren't they called? Sorry, can't quite remember) and Bomb shoving Tugger and other such things. And absolutely spectacular performance, I really wish it wasn't over.
Ah...and this time, I knew where the cast was coming out... So I dragged my friend over to the door, and I got so excited... I saw Mario Martinez (Mungojerrie) first, but he vanished a bit too quickly to get him to sign my programme. But then came Shane Hall (Mistoffelees), who must not spend too much time getting his makeup off. XP He had some white on his nose, and his neck was still grey, and the black eyeliner didn't come off....XD But he was very sweet, he signed my programme, and then commented on my shirt... I was wearing the London Commemorative one or whichever, with Munkustrap and Mistoffelees peering into the hat with the kittens popping out...that lovely one. And Shane's comment: 'Oh, cool... *peering at shirt* Where'd you get that shirt? That's really neat.... *looks over to other performers* Hey, guys, look at her CATS shirt!' Made me feel quite special. *beams* And then Anne Brummel came out, and she signed, and I got to say how awesomely she performed, and she was very nice as well. I got a picture of her signing my programme.... Also, Erica Sweany (Demeter), Jenny Florkowski (swing as Rumpel), Suzanne Dressler (Jenny) and Kym Chambers (Jellylorum/Griddlebone) signed my programme. Everyone's so nice and friendly.... X) *sad sigh* And then we had to leave....ah, well. Signing pictures, though.... the best one's with Anne Brummel, and me talking my nervous head off...XP
That was most DEFINITELY absolutely awesome! I so wish I could see it again sooner, instead of having to wait for the tour to roll around yet again. *sigh* Ah, well. Good show, eh? Cheers!