REVIEW: The memory of ‘Cats’ is reborn

From Oct. 22 to Oct. 27, Broadway Across America (BAA) and The Hobby Center Sarofim Hall invites audiences to the world of Jellicle cats as they prepare for the Jellicle Ball and decide which among them will go to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new life.

Instead of opting for a tradition, linear narrative, “Cats” introduces the world of Jellicle cats and the numerous cats who are up for “The Jellicle Choice” through song and dance. “Cats,” an anthology-esque, sung-through musical, is one of theatrical history’s most legendary shows, with iconic costumes, entertaining choreography and numbers like “Memory.”

Wondering “who will it be” are: Dan Hoy’s Munkustrap, McGee Maddox’s Bill Bailey/ Rum Tum Tugger, Justin W. Geiss’s Mungojerrie, Rose Iannaccone’s Rumpleteazer, Brandon Michael Nase’s Victor/ Old Deuteronomy, , Brayden Newby’s Plato/ Macavity, Timothy Gulan’s Peter/Bustopher Jones/ Asparagus and  Keri Rene Fuller is the iconic former glamour cat Grizabella. The role of Mistoffelees was performed by Tion Gaston filling in for PJ Digaetano.

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” “Cats” explores the idea of what kind of person (or Jellicle cat) is worthy of salvation and serves as a commentary on what characteristics society idealizes.

The show’s director, Trevor Nunn, also directed the original West End and Broadway productions of “Cats,” the 2016 Broadway revival of “Cats,” and provided lyrics for “Memory.” Three-time Tony Winner Andy Blankennuehler (“In The Heights,” “Hamilton,” “Bandstand”) choreographed the BAA production. The lighting director is Natasha Katz and Eric Kang is the show’s music director and conductor.

Fuller, Maddox and Hoy lead audiences to understand what happiness is

Fuller portrayal of Grizabella was excruciatingly haunting and beautiful. In the first few numbers, the audience can see how she tries desperately to fit in with the other Jellicle cats but is consistently outcasted.

It is a painfully fantastic and emotional thing to watch. Her struggle with Act I’s “Memory” is begging for a new dawn and it is such a distant cry from the other upbeat and loud Jellicle cats up for the Jellicle Choice. However, in the second act, Fuller’s final performance of “Memory” is absolutely stunning and intense with her version rivaling that of West End’s Elaine Page and Broadway’s Betty Buckley in terms of sheer power and gravitas.

As a general rule, there is not a true protagonist in “Cats,” but Hoy’s Munkustrap definitely tries to be in this production. Munkustrap is the show’s emcee and Hoy’s performance is stunning. In almost every single scene he is in, he steals. While Munkustrap is one of the few Jellicle cats that does not receive a musical introduction, he manages to be a Jellicle star.

While the performances of the other Jellicle cats are really good, there is one that is painfully bland and boring. Nase’s Old Deuteronomy is easily eclipsed by every other character. The vocal performance is good, but the stage presence is not there; he is supposed to be the kind and gentle old leader of the Jellicle cats, but he just gets lost in the background.

Railway cat fades while a lamplight shines on others

Besides the stand-out of Fuller’s version of the iconic “Memory,” the performances, for the most part, were absolutely fantastic. 

In particular, Act II’s “Gus the Theatre Cat” and “The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles” illuminated this production’s ability to change the mood and tone of the musical with lighting and orchestrations without changing the simple design of the junkyard set.

One of the most mesmerizing moments of the musical was “Magical Mister Mistoffelees.” The showstopper is performed by Mistoffelees and Rum Tum Tugger and features a dazzling array of fast choreography and electrifying lighting elements. It is a really fun performance that is brilliantly juxtaposed with the following, “Memory.”

However, not all performances were a complete success. “Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat” describes the character as “a Cat that cannot be ignored” but in fact, is the most forgettable part of the production. 

Additionally, the fun and upbeat “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer” is supposed to feature two troublemaking Jellicle cats, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, who like to steal and destroy things. Geiss and Iannaccone were out of sync the majority of the performance which distracted audiences from their amazing vocal performances.

Costumes dim as direction and lighting shines bright as the Jellicle moon

For the most part, costume designer John Napier’s choices for Jellicle cats are fantastic and help mirror the Jellicle cats’ attitudes. However, for Jennyanydots and Old Deuteronomy, their costumes looked more rodent than Jellice. Overstuffed and oversized, those two costumes completely swallow the actors and make them fade into the set.

The lighting in “Cats” is not reserved for traditional stage lights. Some of the wardrobe, like the color lights on Mistoffelees’ jacket changes throughout the musical and there are hanging lights from the box seats that come alive during different numbers. The lighting helps to reflect the mood of the musical, whether it be loud and bright like whenever Rum Tum Tugger performs or cold and cool during Grizabella’s moments.

Nunn knows how to direct “Cats” and it shows. From having the Jellicle cats run around in the audience to the placement of characters on the stage, Nunn has thought through each and every aspect of the production. Most notably in the Act II version of “Memory” where Grizabella is on the floor lamenting, while Sillabub (played by Arianna Rosario) stands over her on the junkyard heap symbolizing the ‘replacement’ of Grizabella in Jellicle society.

For more information on “Cats” visit broadway.org. For tickets, visit houston.broadway.com.

 

CORRECTION (10/24/2019): The original article said Mistoffelees was performed by PJ Digaetano.