“Sometimes the concept of the cats can be a little heavy in this show, but we wanted to make sure the way the cats appear in this production was an opportunity to be playful rather than a weight to carry,” said producer Douglas Merk. “And the way in which the elements of the cats appear in this show is something that’s joyful rather than ponderous or self-serious. But we also don’t shy away from the elements of humanity in the show.”
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
“Cats” took London’s West End by storm in May 1981 and transferred to Broadway in October 1982 winning seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Famously billed with the tagline “Now and Forever,” the show became a global sensation, ushering in the era of British spectacles synonymous in the 1980s with the Lloyd Webber brand backed by producer Cameron Mackintosh (”Les Misérables”). The Broadway production ran for 18 years and 7,485 performances, closing in September 2000 and now ranking as the fifth-longest-running Broadway show.
Director Joe Deer saw the original Broadway production of “Cats” as well as its 2014 London revival starring Wright State University alumna Nicole Scherzinger, currently reprising her extraordinary Olivier Award-winning portrayal of Norma Desmond in the exhilarating Broadway revival of Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard.”
In order to break the tradition of predictable stagings of the past, he was eager to approach Muse’s version with fresh eyes.
“I’ve never done ‘Cats’ before so I was happy to look at it brand new since the productions that I’ve seen were always the same right down to the color of the leg warmers,” Deer said. “This production is joyfully fun and I love it. Only Muse Machine can do ‘Cats’ with a large number of people. You’re talking about a community and that is what ‘Cats’ is. Dayton is a community.
“Muse is a community,” he said. And ‘Cats’ is the story of a community that comes together and starts to see one of their own in a very different way than they ever had imagined before. I love that story and it’s not anything I really understood about ‘Cats’ until we started working on it. It’s a great story and it’s been one of the happiest rehearsal experiences I have had. We also have a deep bench of talent this year.”
Fearless, faithful and true
Returning to the production team are New Orleans-based choreographer Lula Elzy and musical director Jeffrey Powell.
Elzy, marking her 24th season with Muse, instantly recognized dance would be a priority and a challenge for the students so she insisted they receive as much instruction as possible. She also invited her friend Kevin Gaudin, who began his professional dance career with the New Orleans Contemporary Dance Company, to lead some of the sessions.
“We had to have dance classes,” Elzy said. “My perspective was to approach this musical as having dancers who happened to sing like ‘West Side Story.’ As opposed to some musicals in which actors are asked to dance, this was sort of the reverse. ‘Cats’ was designed for great dancers to have a chance to sing and act.”
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
She was also drawn to the flavorful, multi-genre quality of Lloyd Webber’s dynamic score as she created her routines, which encompass ballet and tap.
“I enjoyed thinking about which numbers should be more classical, modern or jazz, but I mixed all of the techniques together,” Elzy said. “Some of the students were very flexible and movable so we were able to bring individuality to the cats and the music dictated which movement we were going to do with each particular song,” she said."
“There’s also a childlike essence to this show. Although the students portray cats at different ages, they still get to be children within it.”
Powell also praised the score for its variety including shades of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini and Lloyd Webber’s equally iconic “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“This score has an energy that still feels vivacious after 40 years,” he said. “I’ve come to love many parts of this score such as the grand choral work and (elements of) Gilbert and Sullivan. It definitely taps into my opera chorus experience. But the variety overall is very attractive with (elements) of film noir, hot jazz and rock and roll, especially ‘The Rum Tum Tugger’ which has a pretty cool groove.”
Practical cats, dramatical cats
In a noticeable departure from productions typically associated with “Cats,” Rum Tum Tugger is conveyed more in the vein of Kendrick Lamar than Mick Jagger. Miamisburg High School senior Rogerick Fields Jr. is excited to put his own stamp on the flashy role in his Muse debut.
“It’s been fun to put my own kind of style on the role in the way I act and sing it,” Fields said. “When people come see this show they’re going to think Tugger is going to be played like he’s always been played but it’s cool to do something different.”
Oakwood High School junior Griffin Greear, who memorably portrayed Uncle Fester in the Muse production of “The Addams Family” as an eighth-grader, spent last summer performing at New York’s prestigious Stagedoor Manor arts camp. He’s grateful to apply his training to his predominately narrative and leadership role as Munkustrap.
“I’ve learned how to trust myself as an actor and I also have a better understanding of knowing when I’m on the right track,” Greear said. “And one of the coolest parts of being Munkustrap has been forming relationships with people not just as actors but as characters.”
Xenia High School senior Houda Loukssi is bringing “fun, witty and flirtatious” energy to the stage as Demeter. Previously seen in the Muse productions of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” and “9 to 5,” she embraces the organization’s community mindset.
“Muse is amazing,” Loukssi said. “In a way I found a piece of myself by being here. Now I know what impact I want to leave on the world. When you’re surrounded by people like Joe, Doug, Jeff and Lula who are as equally passionate about what they do, it lightens up your day and brings so much joy in your life you didn’t know you needed.”
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
Credit: MUSE MACHINE
Bellbrook High School senior Emmaline Slauenwhite, who has performed with Muse since the age of 4, portrays outcast Grizabella, whose yearning for “Memory” provides a pivotal emotional moment.
“Every time I sing ‘Memory’ I feel like there’s a new aspect I can bring into it,” Slauenwhite said. “What are the things Grizabella has been through? Why do these cats treat her this way? What has brought her to this point that she’s begging these cats to accept her again? This song means so much because so many people have sung it but there’s also a huge storyline behind it.”
Just like Grizabella desiring connection with those around her, Muse organizers are happy to deliver a show that speaks to the power of togetherness.
“Where ‘Cats’ originally focused on how alien, strange and different the characters were from the audience, this production leans into their community and, in many ways, how familiar our characters are to the people and families watching,” Merk said. “There’s more warmth and playfulness and we think audiences are going to love it.”
HOW TO GO
What: “Cats”
When: Jan. 16-19; 7 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
Cost: $29-$81
More info: 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org
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