What Cats lacks in a cohesive narrative and catchy, memorable songs (“Memory” is the exception), it makes up for with infectious energy, exhilarating dance numbers and a fun, unapologetically campy spirit, writes Joey Morona.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” has been called a lot of things since its world premiere in London’s West End in 1981.It’s true, all of it, I can report after catching the opening night performance of. But that isn’t to say the show, in town for the next three weeks, is necessarily the, ahem, catastrophe you’ve heard about. There is always beauty to be found in the bizarre, the surreal and the weird.
Looking for a compelling plot, or any semblance of a plot at all? Sorry, “Les Misérables” left town last week. How about music you can listen to on repeat? “Hamilton” is here next month. Still, what “Cats” lacks in a cohesive narrative and catchy, memorable songs , it makes up for it with infectious energy, exhilarating dance numbers and a fun, unapologetically campy spirit.
Nonsense? Of course. Jellicle isn’t even an actual word! But it’s irresistible nonsense that sets up the rest of the show, which is essentially a roll call of the cast of cat-characters. There’s Jennyanydots , the tap-dancing old Gumbie Cat; Rum Tum Tugger , a curious cat with rock ‘n roll swagger; and Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer , a pair of mischievous cats with a proclivity for ballroom dancing.
I didn’t know -- and still don’t know -- what to make of any of it. I just know I couldn’t get enough.Credit that to the hugely talented cast led by Santos, who brings Elvis Presley vibes to Rum Tum Tugger. Nora DeGreen as Demeter and Erica Lee Cianciulli as Bombalurina deliver two of the show’s best vocal performances on “Macavity.” John Anker Bow is charming and funny in the roles of Bustopher Jones and Asparagus.
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