MsJellicle's Report
MrsJemimaMistoffelees' Report
~Bal~'s Report
From MsJellicle:
5/10/03-5/11/03
MsJellicle's Report can be found here.
From MrsJemimaMistoffeles:
5/10/03-5/11/03
5/10/03 >> My mom, sister, cousin, friend and I arrived in Seattle at around 3:00pm to meet MsJellicle, Nick-ko-Las, ~Bal~, *asterix*, and Sylvani in the lobby of the Camlin hotel.
I was greeted with a BIG HUG from Bal. It was surreal to see everyone in the flesh, almost intimating! I was so nervous about meeting these people (and it probably showed) 8O
So after the introductions we all headed down to Borders Books and Music, and that’s when the questions started coming, “are you in the show?” and the camera’s started flashing.
After reading a few very interesting book titles (what was that one MsJ? “The Death of Birds”? or something) we started heading towards the Paramount theatre. But while leaving, an older woman and her friend came up to my cousin Lauren and said “I saw you in New York and you were fabulous!”, that caused a few chuckles out of some of us. :lol:
When we got to the stage door around 4:00, the show still had a few more songs to go, so we all just sat around and talked (well, *asterix*, ~Bal~, and Sylvani went to a café place to talk to someone they met the night before)
But after the returned, that’s when the show was let out and as people passed us they said “the show was wonderful”, “great performance” and we had to tell them that we weren’t in it. But they then complimented us on our costumes. It was very cool :D
Then a few of the performer’s came out and talked to us and complimented us on our costumes. Very cool. :D
At around 5:30 we started heading over towards Westlake Center (with a few people asking for pictures o’course) to take the monorail to the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is at)
We then split up. My group and I went to eat dinner while everyone else went to ride on some rides.
After dinner, Lauren and my friend, Marianne, went off to ride the roller coaster while my sister, mom, and I went to go up the Space Needle.
While we were getting our souvenir picture taken by the photographer (i'll get it up ASAP), these two girls came running up the ramp and asked for a picture. My sister and I happily obliged. But what was funny was that the girls weren’t going up the Space Needle themselves. :lol:
When we met everyone back up at 6:30 by the Monorail, I learned that asterix and Sylvani wanted to go up the Needle too. I felt really bad, because I thought that since MsJ, Nick, and Bal weren’t going they weren’t going to go either. (I’m really sorry guys! Please don’t hate me :( )
So then we got back on the Monorail and then headed to Bartel Drugs, where *asterix* and Sylvani wanted to pick up some pictures. After a few more people asked for their picture with us, we heard this “honk!” behind us, and when we turned around we saw a old green van driving by with a bunch of clowns in it! Lol. :lol:
Then we headed to the Camlin hotel were MsJellicle and the other’s wanted to touch up there make-up. While my mom, cousin and friend went to the car, my sister and I went with Bal and her mom to their room where Bal wanted to show me her awesome Quaxo tail. We then watched this bear on the television push around a old oven! Lol. :lol:
Anyway, Bal, my sister and I then went down to the lobby at about 7:18 and waited for the others. 5 minutes later, they still weren’t down so we decided to go and find them.
While getting on the elevator, there was this guy on there and after seeing us he quickly got off. We then went to *asterix*’s and Sylvani’s room and they were just about to head down, so then we got back on the elevator and, who was there…the guy who quickly got off earlier (boy, he must have been thrilled to see us again!) So after Bal teased him for a few seconds, he got off of the elevator as soon as he could. Lol :lol:
When we got back down to the hotel lobby, MsJ and Nick were already waiting for us. So we then headed over to the Paramount theatre (which was just across the street) and I found my mom who had the tickets…but we couldn’t find Lauren and Marianne! :x So, I had to go back around the car and search for them. (luckily, the car was about as far away as the Camlin hotel)
So we FINALLY, my mom, sister, Lauren, and Marianne finally entered the Paramount. (MsJ and everyone already went in). We got our souvenir’s, and then went to our seats (all 5 seats in row H) soon after that, the show FINALLY started! :D
Overture – I LOVED this! It was so cool when the cats came down the isles. I was sitting one seat over from the aisle, but I still had some interaction with the cats. Cassandra swatted at me, Pouncival hissed at me, and Sillabub shook her head and swatted at me too. :D
Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats – This was so great to see live. It wasn’t much different from the video, except for Etcetera swinging. They had (I think) Tumblebrutus doing some back-flips and such.
Naming of Cats – I liked how the cats kinda walked off after saying “what’s a Jellicle cat?” and then all sliding/running towards the man who didn’t know what a Jellicle cat was. I also liked how Sillabub and Victoria looked all posh when they say “and some for the dames”
Invitation to the Jellicle Ball – I was a little disappointed that Quaxo didn’t sing the Invitation to the Jellicle ball, but it was cool to see and hear the extended version of it.
The Gumbie Cat – Finally, I get to see the entire tap dance! I also like at the end where Jenny is walking around the stage showing off when Munkus is trying to give her, her coat back.
Rum Tum Tugger – I was very excited to see RTT live. Although, I was upset that he doesn’t do the “meow” at the beginning, but I’ll get over it. The lady who got to dance with Tugger was pretty unwilling to dance, but then she gave it. (I mean, who can resist the Tugger?!)
Grizabella, the Glamour Cat – I liked how Sillabub and Rumpleteazer were the first ones to approach her (Sillabub being the one to reach out to her). It was cute when Victoria was going to help Grizabella off of the ground, but then Quaxo stopped her (awww…protecting his sister)
Bustopher Jones – Yay! My first time seeing a real Quaxo and Sillabub moment, lol. :D :wink: They were swatting at each other and then they rubbed their heads together. Then, Quaxo gets up to help Bustopher, Victoria smiled at Sillabub who gave a little smile and blush back. Lol. I didn’t really pay to much attention to the song, just seeing what the other cats were doing through-out it.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer – Very excited to see the 2 person cartwheel. But I was disappointed that the cut the “when the family assembles for Sunday dinner…”, but they had the “when the area window is found ajar…” so that was cool to see.
Old Deuteronomy – Nothing really special happened. Lol.
The Jellicle Ball – The thing I was most waiting for! The Jellicle ball! Seeing the entire thing for the first time was so special to me! But it was really sad during the beginning of the Mating Dance because everyone finds someone, but then Sillabub is left all alone. :cry: So, for a few seconds she just sits there and watches Victoria and Tumble, and then she looks up at Munkustrap and he points over to Jerrie and Teazer and then she goes over with them. I was sad when Sillabub didn’t dance in the climax of the Jellicle Ball though.
Memory – Such a sad and haunting song.
Moments of Happiness – After the intermission, 15 minutes later, the cats started coming back out onto the stage. It was so cute when Sillabub and Mungojerrie started rolling around with each other, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was also VERY funny when Mungojerrie started nipping on Rumpleteazer’s shoulder fluffies! And then he started to lick her face! OMG, it must take some SERIOUS talent not to laugh while someone is doing that.
Gus, The Theatre Cat – I was mostly watching Mungojerrie and Sillabub during this. It was so cute because everytime Jerrie would swipe and Sillabub’s head, he’d turn and look the other way. That went on for a couple of times, until Sillabub finally caught him. Sillabub then laid down on her back, and her and Mungojerrie started pawing at each other, lol.
Growltiger’s Last Stand – This was my first time seeing it, and WHOA! It was so awesome! I only wish it would have been included in the video! Growltiger and Griddlebone were so flippin’ cool! Hehe.
Skimbleshanks – lol. Skimble was sleeping on a hat. Victoria’s sneeze was way cute, and I must say, I liked this “train” better then the one in the video.
Macavity – It was kinda weird seeing a male cat dancing along with Demeter. But it was hilarious the way her and Bombs turned there faces away with disgust during the line “I know he cheat’s at cards”
Mr. Mistoffelees – The other moment/song I was waiting for. Probably my favorite part throughout the entire night. I was very happy to see the extended version of Mistoffelees’ solo dance. It was also very cool the way he ‘closed’ off the light, then blew it out.
Memory reprise – My cousin cried, lol.
The Heaviside Layer – I liked how when Tugger held Grizabella’s paws, he did his little shake and kissei face, hehehe. The space ship thing was disappointing. It didn’t really make me believe that she was going to the Heaviside layer. But it’s better then nothing, I suppose.
Addressing of Cats – This was sad, because it was the last song of the evening.
End – This was the coolest part of the entire show! I LOVED how most of the cats jumped back out into the audience. And what was REALLY funny was when Mungojerrie ran up the aisle, he suddenly, OUT OF NOWHERE came bouncing (literally BOUNCING) up beside my friend Marianne and scared the life out of her! Lol. She screamed “OH MY GOD” so loud, I think the whole theatre might have heard her. :lol: And it was so adorable when Bombalurina was strutting on the stage, and then Tugger came up behind her and started to tickle her, she then turned around and pushed him on the ground, and with the audience cheering her on, she stepped on him and over him. She then walked over near an exit, and the Tugger stood up and gave her his “smile”, she suddenly got this look like “uh-oh!” and then took off, and while swinging his tail around and smiling at the audience, he took of after her. :lol:
The show ended at about 10:40pm, and after 10 minutes of trying to get out of the theatre, my mom, sister, Lauren, Marianne and I got to the stage door, and to my surprise, Adam Lendermon (the regular Skimbleshanks…we had an understudy that night) asked for a picture with my sister and me! That was one of the high-lights of the day…one of the performers wanted a picture with us! Lol.
Then the other’s arrived and so did other audience members. More of the performers came out. I got autographs from most of them, and I got pictures with Mario Martinez ...and Jacqueline Stedmen (“your wearing a Sponge Bob shirt!” As my cousin pointed out and they both told each other how much they loved him, and laughed).
So then we took a group picture with Karl and Jackie and I couldn’t see who else (Bal > Honey! I’m so sorry for standing on your foot! Next time you see me, you can stand on mine, k? :wink: ) So then everyone was getting hugs from Karl, so I just had to get one too! So, I shyly approached him and said “can I have a hug, too?” and he smiled sweetly at me and said “of course” and he hugged me! ::dies::, then my sister wanted one too and we all laughed.
So then it started to get late, and my group and I were all starting to get tired so I said goodbye to MsJ and Nick (even though Nick was the only one who heard me, lol), and we headed back to the car. We then drove by the theatre, and with a honk and some paw’s out of the sun roof, waved goodbye to everyone.
5/11/03 >> The next night I saw CATS with my friend Kiri, was I think even better then the night before. (but that’s probably just because I had better seats, lol)
I’m not going to into to much detail, because everything was pretty much the same. Except I noticed that during Bustopher Jones song, Sillabub was sitting next to Bombalurina and Cassandra, and then Bombalurina looked down at her with a “what do you think your doing sitting here?” and then Sillabub got a sad look on her face, and scooted back, behind Victoria. A few moment’s later Sillabub starts to play with Victoria’s tail on the ground, but when Sillabub flips it up, Victoria takes it away, and Sillabub get’s sad again, but then Victoria, being a good friend, gives Sillabub the tail back.
At the stage door, I saw Karl come out and I said “Hi Karl!” and he smiled big and said Hi to me (I’m not sure if he recognized me as Jemima the night before. Lol, he probably didn’t :wink: ), and gave me a hug, I then asked for another picture with him and he said “of course”.
I then thanked him, and then I saw RYAN JACKSON!! (I’ve been wanting to meet him since I first saw a picture of him awhile back. And I was so disappointed that I wouldn’t get to see him perform due to him being sick both nights :( ) So I asked for a picture with him and he said with a big smile “sure!” And then that’s when my digital camera decided to be slow and not load. My friend Kiri, being the big goof ball she is, said “Trina, I have sars and I shouldn’t be out in the cold”, and that got a laugh out of Ryan. We then took the picture and I thanked him.
Stan then finally came out, and I asked for a picture with him and he said “sure!” So I got my picture with him, and then Kiri and I started to get tired so we left.
All in all, I was so grateful for being able to see the show twice. Both times were great, and I want to thank the performer’s for making my first time seeing the show memorable, and for being so sweet and saying nice things about the costumes. Thanks guys!
And I want to thank MsJ for organizing the Pacific Northwest Fan Meet. Thanks MsJ!
And I want to thank Bal, MsJ, Nick, *asterix*, and Sylvani for being so nice to my family, friends, and me! Thank-you VannyCATS! Lol.
Here is now my review on each of the performers >>
Alonzo - Adam Walters > Brillant dancer. I loved watching the Macavity fight!
Bombalurina (u/s) – Molly Logan > LOVED her voice and her portrayal of Bombs. I also loved the interaction she had with Tugger.
Cassandra - Andrea Young > Gotta say, she made me think that Cassi wasn’t that horrible of a cat after all.
Demeter - Robin Wilner and understudy, Jessica Lea Patty > I liked Robin’s Demeter more then Jessica’s. But they were both good in there own ways.
Grizabella - Dee Roscioli > She looks so YOUNG! But she has a beautiful voice. She did a great Grizabella. She’s so nice too! She loved the costumes.
Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones - Kevin Wanzor > This guy cracked me up! I loved his little jaw and mouth movements he made throughout the show. And he was REALLY impressed with the costumes. He couldn’t stop saying how wonderful they were and how glad he was that we all came out. And when I told him that this was my first time seeing the show live, his eyes got all big, smiled and said “well, this is the way to do it!” (referring to the costumes)
Jellylorum/Griddlebone - Nicole Johndrow and understudy, Mary Elizabeth Sweeny > Gotta say, I like the younger Jelly better then the older Jelly. I liked Mary’s Jelly and Griddle more then Nicole’s though.
Jennyanydots - Staci Rudnitsky > So cute! My mom said that she was her favorite one to watch. She’s got a really strong voice to.
Mistoffelees (u/s) – Eric Shorey > I swear, from some angles he looked like Jacob! Lol. He was an amazing dancer.
Mungojerrie - Mario Martinez > OMG, he reminds me so much of Fez off of “That 70’s Show” I can see why Bal loves him so much! He was hysterical! I don’t know who I like better, him or Drew! :?
Munkustrap - Joshua Edwards > Rick, maybe you caught him on a bad night, but I LOVED Joshua’s Munkustrap. He was a great dancer, and I really liked his portrayal as Munku
Old Deuteronomy - Martin C. Hurt > He sounded like Ken Page himself, which is a good thing.
Plato/Macavity - Karl Warden > NICEST GUY YOU’LL EVER MEET! Also did an AMAZING Macavity! To bad he wasn’t in the video (cute as a teddy bear, too! :wink: )
Pouncival – Shane Hall > He has the most COOLEST eyes! Lol. Great dancer.
Rumpleteazer - Katy Burns > I didn’t really like Katy’s voice, but she was great as acting as a cat and dancing.
Rum Tum Tugger - Stan Stanley > I liked Stan’s goofy Tugger a lot! He was definitely a show stopper.
Sillabub - Jacqueline Stedman > WOW! Beautiful voice and an amazing dancer. A very nice girl too (Skully, your lucky to have her as a sister!)
Skimbleshanks (u/s) – Jesse Factor > Was a wonderful Skimbleshanks. Like Karl, to bad he wasn’t in the video. (thanks to MsJ for informing me that Jesse was Skimble!)
Tumblebrutus - Joey Abramowicz > Great dancer.
Victoria - Jean Michelle Sayeg > Beautiful dancer. I loved watching her dance
::wipes forehead:: THE END!
Veel Liefs,
Jemima :D
From ~Bal~:
5/9/03-5/10/03
Warning: Very, very long. I probably forgot a bunch of stuff, too. *sigh* The second show's report is far more detailed than the first.
We got to Seattle after four-and-a-half hours driving (we got lost). Once there, we received a message from *asterix* and Sylvani, telling us they’d arrived, too. So after a nice long nap and some shopping, I went to their hotel room where they were busily finishing their costumes for the following night, and where they molested my fuzzaly Quaxo tail. Then we started stuffing boxes for the Jellicle Jellybean project.
For Jellicle Jellybeans, we'd gotten ahold of about thirty mini Chinese food boxes, and painted them like the characters (people...cast...y'know) they were going to. Then we’d filled them with jellybeans and included a guide to which jellybeans were who.
We had to get extras, of course, so six pounds of jellybeans later the boxes were ready to go. (Pictures? Do we have pictures?)
Then I found out that they had tickets for that night, so I went and begged my mother for money. I returned from the box-office triumphantly with orchestra seats (um, literally).
The Cast
Alonzo - Adam Walters
Bombalurina - Lucie Wood
Cassandra - Andrea Young
Demeter - Robin Wilner
Grizabella - Dee Roscioli
Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones - Kevin Wanzor
Jellylorum/Griddlebone - Nicole Johndrow
Jennyanydots - Staci Rudnitsky
Mistoffelees - Ryan Jackson
Mungojerrie - Mario Martinez
Munkustrap - Joshua Edwards
Old Deuteronomy - Martin C. Hurt
Plato/Macavity - Karl Warden
Pouncival - Eric Shorey
Rumpleteazer - Katy Burns
Rum Tum Tugger - Stan Stanley
Sillabub - Jacqueline Stedman
Skimbleshanks - Adam Lendermon
Tumblebrutus - Joey Abramowicz
Victoria - Jean Michelle Sayeg
The first show was so incredible! I was sitting in the front of the orchestra pit; close enough for Skimble to sweat on me (I'm never going to wash my hair again). I was so wowed by everything; I literally could not stop this huge grin from taking over my face. I guess if there's a sea of stoic people and one grinning person in the audience, you'll play to that person, and I was lucky in that aspect. Ryan Jackson winked and grinned and made all manner of facial contortions at me, and at one point during Moments of Happiness I was watching Mungojerrie (my hero, Mario Martinez) and he was watching me. I cocked my head, 'cause I wasn't sure...and he cocked his back. I broke into a huge smile and he beamed back and did a kitty blush.
There were no understudies for this performance; the first time I've ever seen CATS with no swings! Not that the swings weren't awesome as well.... see uber-long second show report. ;)
Note: The stage door account is somewhat abridged. Interspersed with this is the giving out of many boxes and lots of hugs.
The stage door after that show was such a neat and wonderful experience. Mario was already out there when we got back there, and I struck up a conversation with him while Sylvani tried to get the Mungojerrie jellybean box from the very bottom of the bag. I told Mario he was my hero, and one of the best CATS performers I'd ever seen.
He gave me a really funny look. “Do you know who I play?” ”
You’re Mungojerrie! You saw me! During Moments of Happiness!”
"Hey...yeah!" Pauses. “Uhh...do you want me to sign something?”
I laughed, and Sylvani triumphantly surfaced with the Mungojerrie box. “We have a present for you.”
He took it, grinning. “A box?” ”
It’s got stuff in it!”
He opened it. “Jellybeans?” ”
Jellicle Jellybeans.” ”
Wow! That’s so cool!”
Then Karl came out, in his funky-haired glory. “Karl!” we squeaked, and I got the Macavity box out of my purse, waiting patiently until he was done telling people who he'd played.
"Karl?" I said, getting all shy.
"Yes?" He looked kind of confused. I didn't blame him.
"Uhm...I guess you don't remember me...I was one of the Vancouver fans, and this is..."
He perked up and announced his recognition of Sylvani and *asterix* from Calgary the previous year.
"Yes...well....here!" I said, holding out his box.
"Wow! What’s this?" he asked, opening it.
"Do you remember Jellicle Jellybeans?"
"Jellicle Jellybeans?" I took that as a no.
"There's a link to the site. Inside. Inside the box, that is."
We asked for a picture with him, and he put an arm around Cat and me.
I told him happily how long I'd been waiting for a Karl hug. I told them they were famous. (Which they are…at least, among our circle of fans.)
"My hugs are famous?! Hey, guys, my hugs are famous!" he gave me another huge hug afterward...that guy gives some seriously good hugs.
Anyway, I think his best quote of the night was:
"Wow, Karl, you're such a scary, badass Macavity!!
"Aaaaw, thank you!"
Adam Lendermon as Skimbleshanks gave us the neatest reaction ever when we presented him with the Skimble box.
Adam: Wow! A box! Hey, it looks like me! Ryan, Ryan, my box looks like me! Look! It looks like me! The smiling girl gave me a box!
Ryan: The smiling girl's here?!
Adam: Yeah! And she gave me a box!
Me: I have a box for you, too.
Ryan: Does it look like me?!
Me: Yeah!
Ryan: Wow! I got a box! Hey, during the show, I saw you. I saw you! Did you see me seeing you? ‘Cause I saw you!
Me: Yes! Thanks. I felt special.
Ryan: You are! 'Cause lookit my box! (Holds the handle in his teeth) I'll carry it like this.
Adam: Like that?
Ryan: Yeah!
Me: Well....you don't have to eat the handle....there's jellybeans in it. Jellicle Jellybeans.
Ryan: Wow! Really? (Opens it)
Adam: Hey, I was wondering why it was so heavy! (Gives me a hug)
Ryan: I'm licorice?!
Jacqueline (Sillabub): You guys got boxes, too? Adam, what flavour are you?
Adam: Orange.
Ryan: I’m licorice! You guys, why am I licorice? Nobody likes licorice!
Me: I do!
*asterix*: I do, too!
Sylvani: And I do!
Ryan: Nobody else does!
Eric Shorey (bestest swing ever): Hey guys!
Karl: Eric! Introduce yourself.
Eric: I’m Eric.
Me: Pouncival?
Eric: Former Pouncival. I’m a swing.
Me: I bet we have a box for you! (To Sylvani) Do we have a box for him?
Sylvani: ....
Me: We'll get a box to you.
Eric: COOL!
Karl (later): It's Staci's birthday.
Sylvani: And we got her a present!
Me: Awesome!
Karl: Listen, I gotta go, because we're having a party for her...
*asterix*: Hey…what are your Macavity fluffies made of?
Karl: Uh...it’s a little bit more.... well, it's not as light as fishing line, but kinda like that...
Me: ooh, cool.
Karl: I can show you one.
Me: REALLY?
Karl: Sure!
*asterix*: And…well, could you possibly bring down a tail? I’d like to see how they're constructed. Like, what material are they made of?
Karl: Oh! Well, yarn.
Me: Really?! Yarn?
Karl: Well, yeah.
Me: Wow.
Karl: But....yeah....I gotta go. You guys have been really sweet.
Me: We’re coming again tomorrow, in costume. I’m in the front row.
Karl: Really? Hey, I’ll look for you when I do my fake Deut entrance!
Me: Really?!
Karl: I’ll tell everyone to look for you guys.
We all thanked him really enthusiastically and finally went back to the hotel in absolute ecstasy.
The next day, of course, was the fan meet. I was dressed up as a sort of Paris-Japan-Tour V-London Mistoffelees hybrid, *asterix* was Tour V Skimbleshanks (orange! Orange and fluffy!), Sylvani was Tour V Sillabub, MsJellicle was Similyn, Nick-Ko-Las was ….himself, MrsJemimaMistoffelees was Jemima, her sister was Victoria, and her cousin was random-cat-in-fishnets.
Nick, MsJ, Sylvani, *asterix* and myself met first, an hour or so behind schedule because costuming ourselves took longer than previously supposed. We got to go down to FAO Schwartz and walk around in the toy store, where we were very carefully ignored.
This is random, but FAO Schwartz has a giant piano on the second floor! And you can make noises on it! I played hot cross buns. We couldn’t figure out how to play any CATS songs. ;-)
*asterix* got a picture next to the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ train set…
And then we pretty much headed back to the hotel to touch up our makeup and wait for MrsJemiMisto and co. As soon as they appeared, I ran up and gave my fellow Obsessical cat a huge hug and babbled some random nonsense, before we left for the book store, where I found the script of Amadeus and the coffee table book of ‘The Producers’ I was in heaven, and so most of what happened during the bookstore trip is completely and utterly lost on me.
From there we went back to the hotel to touch up makeup (and so I could show MrsJemiMisto and Victoria the Quaxo tail I made on the way to Seattle…what is with me and my penchant for fuzzy tails?!) Then we all went to the Matinee stage door, where we got to listen to the entire show from ‘Macavity’ via speaker. “
Listen! Karl’s doing the evil laugh! *shudder*”
We went and got some chocolate cookies and muffins (or I did) and a really nice guy offered to pay for our stuff because we dressed up. ;-)
The second time at the stage door, Mario had painted pink whiskers on himself before he came out, so we got a picture with him while he was be-whiskered.
Then Adam (Alonzo) came up to us and said in a really small voice, “Um… I don’t want to be rude, and it’s okay if you don’t…but do you have jellybeans for me..? ‘Cause everyone had them at the party last night…. And it was so cool… and I heard I was chocolate pudding.” We all laughed and gave him the Alonzo box-my personal favourite. I mentioned that there was an explanation to the chocolate pudding thing on the website, but it was to embarrassing to say it was because chocolate pudding is ‘smooooth and chocolatey’. ;-) But it made me really happy to see how happy he was.
Then we left for the monorail station and arrived at Seattle Center.
Our two groups decided to split up, so MrsJemiMisto and Co had lunch and went up on the space needle, and MsJ, Nick, *asterix* Sylvani and me did rides! :-)
I did the roller coaster twice, having to take my wig off for it. (Bald Misto…heh.) The first time, with MsJ and Nick with me, it was fine…but the second time I rode in the back, and that hurt.
After that, we finally got accosted by the obligatory picture-wanting crowd, and stayed there for awhile. Then we went on the carousel, where some little kids told me where to sit, and then we did the ferris wheel, where we got some neat pics of each other in/from the air.
Then we met up with MrsJemiMisto and co again, and we took the monorail back to Westlake Mall.
And then we saw the second show, something I’m never, ever going to forget.
Alonzo - Adam Walters
Bombalurina – Molly Logan
Cassandra - Andrea Young
Demeter - Robin Wilner
Grizabella - Dee Roscioli
Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones - Kevin Wanzor
Jellylorum/Griddlebone - Nicole Johndrow
Jennyanydots - Staci Rudnitsky
Mistoffelees – Eric Shorey
Mungojerrie - Mario Martinez
Munkustrap - Joshua Edwards
Old Deuteronomy - Martin C. Hurt
Plato/Macavity - Karl Warden
Pouncival - Eric Shorey
Rumpleteazer - Katy Burns
Rum Tum Tugger - Stan Stanley
Sillabub - Jacqueline Stedman
Skimbleshanks – Jesse Factor
Tumblebrutus - Joey Abramowicz
Victoria - Jean Michelle Sayeg
The Overture- The lights, as everyone knows, were spectacular. I love the Tour V lights. The UFO seemed a bit shaky, and thus so were the attached lights, but it was good. Good lights.
Green eyes… Wow. Giving out presents and then being in costume… you get flashed a lot. ;) Mario Martinez (Mungojerrie) came sneaking up, gave me a huge grin and hunkered right in close and flashed his eyes at me. Then Karl (Macavity!) came bouncing up, grinning like I was the night before, and then just…stopped. I was grinning back, but I really didn’t know what to do! So we clasped hands and then he ran off, and Jacqueline (Sillabub) and Jean (Victoria) skipped past and waved.
I really thought that was about all the attention I was going to get, but I was still thrilled… I mean, cast members were going out of their way to come over and ‘flash’ me, what more could one ask for?
During Jellicle Songs, Mario was staring at me, and when it came time for Pragmatical Cats, Dramatical Cats, he aimed himself right at me...if you know what I’m saying. Y’all know the dance move I’m talking about. Heh…Gus (Kevin Waznor) had a really adorable facial tic. Munkustrap (Joshua Edwards) was up to par, too…but I don’t think he’s used to singing in the style he’s been instructed to. But I liked his interpretation… he really seemed to understand and respect the responsibility he had.
During the Naming, Rumpleteazer (Katy Burns) and Mungojerrie passed me, Mungojerrie giving me the spookiest stare-down, and Rumpleteazer just blatantly staring. The stationed themselves in front of Sylvani and *asterix*. My staring contest was with chorus Grizabella-who has a beautiful costume-but I lost.
I really enjoyed Jean Michelle Sayeg’s Victoria. She seemed such a young innocent kitten… but not annoyingly so. I’ve finally found a Victoria I like! Yay!
During Victoria’s solo dance, Skimbleshanks and Sillabub were on the step in front of me. Skimble (Jesse Factor) ignored me, but Sillabub (Jacqueline Stedman) kept sneaking glances at me. During the huddle in the middle while Munkustrap is narrating, Jellylorum (Nicole Johndrow) was staring at me. I stared back…it was neat. It seemed like Munkustrap wasn’t used to using the deep narrative voice that Munkustraps are instructed to use…but otherwise, I thought his characterization very Munkustrapish. He seemed to know how much responsibility he had and respected his duties.
Uhh…lessee… Gumbie Cat. At the beginning of this, Alonzo (Adam Walters) and Munkustrap were doing a little shimmy dance with each other…it was very cute but hard to describe. Staci Rudnitsky as Jennyanydots was SO cute and young and perky and hyper… I loved her Jennyanydots. And it was her birthday the day before! I finally got to see Munkustrap following her around with the coat at the end and then dumping it on her. Tumblebrutus (Joey Abramowicz) threw me a couple of grins. I felt loved.
Tugger… well, I’ve grown used to Stan’s Tugger now. But I confess…I didn’t watch him. I was watching Mungojerrie pulling everyone’s tails! While the toms were doing Tugger chorus dancing, Mungojerrie looked at them they were crazy, and started pulling their tails. Alonzo picked his up before Mungo could get to it, though. I burst out laughing… and only the other die-hards in the audience noticed. ;)
At the end of the song, Alonzo crept up to the edge of the stage, stared at me for a second, then got this huge grin on his face and started batting at his ears. I watched for a second, and then raised my hand to one of my own ears questioningly. He nodded really enthusiastically and started batting his ears again, and I touched my other ear hesitantly. He nodded with a huge smile and started chasing his tail. So ca-yoot!
Grizabella…Sillabub was supposed to be all serious, but she was on the stairs in front of me and couldn’t keep a straight face so we exchanged smiles. Dee Roscioli as Grizabella has the best voice I’ve ever heard for the character. Very throaty and beautiful. Kudos.
Bustopher… a lady in the second row got the carnation. At the beginning of the song Jennyanydots did a really cute little Eee-hee-hee-hee giggle. And for ‘he’s unmistakably rrrrrrrround’ she kind of growled the words. It sounded good.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer…I don’t even know how to describe this. Mario is my hero! His facial expressions, his perfect Mungo voice with great inflection… Rumpleteazer was a bit more understated-though still in-character, but all is forgiven because Mario surpasses anything I have ever expected to see in a Mungojerrie. Their cutest bit was when the Ming vase was ‘broken’, Rumpleteazer gasped, went ‘Oh no!’ in a horrified voice, and then pointed at Mungojerrie. ‘You!’ and he looked all ‘Damn straight.’
What I most appreciated about Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, though, was that their connection to Macavity was definitely played up. During the Macavity scares, someone always had a constraining hold on Mungojerrie, and when Demeter was chasing the cats away from Fake Deut, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were the last to clear off.
Anyways…Old Deuteronomy. Skimble went off to get him. Karl winked at me as he was settling down to listen to the song and I felt so special and appreciated… I still don’t know how I can tell the cast how much what they did for me means. I looked closely at Deuteronomy’s costume as he passed…that thing is ventilated! It’s like a net with the fluffy stuff threaded through, as far I saw. Very cleverly made. (Thanks for the wink, Karl.)
The Jellicle Ball…energy was totally up there. *points at atmosphere* Jennyanydots gave me a really priceless look at one point… More blatant staring.
The Ball in the tour is a lot more acrobatic than the video or London… the choreography seems a lot more challenging and tiring Kudos to the cast for pulling it off and making it look easy! Cassandra hissed at me… she has pretty makeup. And a pretty wig. The rolled ears look really neat, and she’s more colorful and stripy than in any other production I’ve seen.
Memory…wow. *shakes head* Wow. I usually don’t like this song, I’ve never really heard it performed well… but wow. Dee Roscioli, you’re the best Grizabella ever!
Intermission- Interesting conversations with some people, told a bunch of other people that we weren’t the ones who were great. Just fans… for the time being. *asterix* and Sylvani as Skimbleshanks and Sillabub got the most attention…but I seemed to be the most pettable. Heh…velvet Mistoffelees unitards do that for you.
Anyway.
Moments of Happiness…poor Karl looked like he was falling asleep. But he threw me a grin and I felt good all over again. Um…the orchestra was really good in this one. I know it sounds weird, but the music was just beautiful.
Gus….oh, Gus Gus Gus… I have so many good things to say about Gus! His facial twitch was so…feline and perfect and cute! He seemed genuinely sad and I felt bad for him, but he was also really comic so you didn’t feel too bad about Grizabella going to Heaviside and not him. Even though you still felt kinda bad.
Growltiger- When Growltiger hit Misto-Cabin-Boy, both Eric and Ryan gave little squeaks…it was so cute and pathetic, you just wanted to pull them down and make them sit in your lap for the rest of the show. Which I didn’t do. Alonzo tried to show off his hook to Griddlebone both nights, but she made this real ‘Ew!’ face and pushed it away. The second night was interesting when it came to props… The Gus eyepatch and bandana wouldn’t tie on, but Growltiger had one eye squinched during the song anyway. I wouldn’t even have noticed him getting rid of them during the song if I hadn’t been watching…I was so impressed. The Griddle wig also came off, but Nicole got it back up again before she jumped off the side off the set.
Skimble-SKIMBLE! Very cute, both the swing and regular were very talented and perky Skimbles...which made me happy. Skimbleshanks is one of my favourite characters. Alonzo’s faint when Skimbleshanks flashes his glass green eyes is priceless…it’s very elaborate.
Macavity- Karl promised to watch for me when he came out as fake Deut, so I was watching for him watching for me. Wow… I looked up and there was this eyeless mask staring at me! It literally frightened me and surprised me so much I gave a little squeak-which I was told later was audible from three rows back. *asterix* said she thought it came from onstage. ;-) Karl is so…frightening! My gosh! My theory is now that Macavity isn’t evil…he’s just psycho. He gave a kind of gleeful scream in the middle of the fight that was kinda neat. I noticed that the wires weren’t touching when Macavity ‘explodes’ himself. The fight was wonderful. All those thing I heard about from Broadway, I saw that night. The shoulder spin, the throws…Munkustrap had no chance, poor dear. Oh, and the song.. I really wasn’t paying much attention, because Victoria came along and leaned against me. I gave her shoulder fluffies a little pet, and she yawned at me and stayed that way for most of the song. I looked at her unitard, and her wig and her fluffies (made of yarn)….it was so incredible to be that close to a costume, and receive that kind of attention.
Misto- I adore Eric Shorey and Ryan Jackson. They are so awesome. Their dancing was so neat… there’s hardly words. It was kinda funny though, Eric’s conjuring turn kept traveling nearer and nearer to the edge of the stage….;-)
It was kind of interesting…before Grizabella was officially chosen for Heaviside, many of the kittens were congratulating Mistoffelees, as if he would get it. I felt kinda bad when he looked crestfallen for a second. It was a neat moment.
Griz and Addressing- Jellylorum was staring at me throughout. I stared back. During addressing, a lot of people were looking me. Mario, Eric, Karl (*glee*) and various others.
Bows- It was very cute. During the bows, *asterix*, Sylvani and I all stood up, of course. All those guys are so acrobatic! Tumblebrutus….no-hand flips….wow….
During a dance break, Eric-as-Misto stretched out on the edge of the stage in a very fetching pose and waved. I could only grin back….and then couldn’t stop grinning. Tumble saw me and grinned back in the same way at the end.
I literally had tears running down my face by this time. The emotion of the end of the show and knowing I would never again see the cast that had done so much for me was really hard to bear. I couldn’t stop crying until much after Karl and Jacqueline left after the show. We had a really nice, long convo with Brian Collier, who was so sweet. He felt really bad about me crying, and I felt special just talking to him. He told us about Spike, and rehearsals, and all manner of interesting things. Thanks, Brian. :-)
I got initiated into the Spike fanclub by Tucker Ty himself, and I saw Adam’s poor finger and felt pretty bad, so of course I was obliged to give him a big hug. *halo*
The whole cast kept coming over to me, asking if I’d seen them looking at me, smiling, waving… It was incredible.
Then Alonzo-Adam came over and flicked at imaginary ears. “Did you see me doing the wig thing?” “
Yes! I mean…wow…what was that?” “
I really like your wig!”
Mario: What’s it made out of, anyway?
Me: Uhh…It was formerly a Grampa Munster wig.
The entire male cast that was in the vicinity turned around and gave me ‘What?’ faces, and thus I explained. I suddenly realized I had half of the toms in the show at my disposal, and I gave all of them hugs, and tried to tell them how much the night had meant to me, but I don’t think I can ever tell them in words or in anything else.
Joey as Tumblebrutus was so cute. “I saw you! I smiled. Didja see?” and when I told them about the wig, he promptly went over to *asterix* and asked if her could touch *her* wig. :-)
Then they all noticed that I was crying, and I got some more hugs, and one last hug from Karl before he left.
Thank you so much to the cast of Tour V-the most talented and nicest cast of CATS ever. I’m never going to forget my Seattle weekend, and just…thank you.
~Fairlith Harvey (aka Bal and transvestite Misto)
Quotes
Karl: What litterbox? OH! Yeah, we still have it... yeah, we still have water bottles in it...you guys gave that to us? Sweet!
Karl: Oh, don't cry....please don't cry...*massive hug*
Me: Karl, you are such a scary, badass Macavity!
Karl: Aaaaw, thank you!
Me: Why did I change before the drag queens got here?! (We were on the same floor of the hotel as several members of a drag show...)
Brian: (to me, somewhat dismayed at my tears) Oh, sweetie, it was nice to meet you...
Adam: I GOT A BOX! What's in it?
Ryan: A box?
Me: i got one for you, too!
Ryan: COOL!
Ryan: (spotting the Tugger box, which had a big, fluffy mane.) Wow...THAT'S hardcore!
Me: Ryan, we're gonna be twins!
Ryan: COOL!
Joey: I saw you! I saw you! Didja see me?
Eric: HEY!!! Did you see me waving? I saw you..you looked great.
Me: Happy birthday, Staci!
Staci: How did you know?!
Me: We're fans.
Staci: Oh...
Me: Karl, I've been waiting for this for a really long time. Your hugs are famous!
Karl: Really? Hey, guys, my hugs are famous! *gives me another big hug*
Me: *squeak!* (At the tremendously scary Old Deut mask)
People behind me: Who's that? I don't think that's a cat. No, that's a person and they don't like her. No, wait...she's got a tail. (on Grizabella)
Several people after the first show: The smiling girl's here?
Nicole: People never know who I am! It's like, Jelly-who? What opera?
~Bal