THEATER RE-view; 'Cats', Better Than Ever!

by MK Scott

Nearly 20 years ago, I saw my first Broadway show on Broadway. My Pal, Bill and I went to the Half-Price Ticket Booth in Times Square and picked up tickets for 'Cats'. It wasn't my first choice and was unfamiliar with the works of T.S. Elliot. The show back then, was strange and was performed In The Round. The elevated platform was in the shape of a Spaceship, The songs were Not memorable and the Dancing was OK. Flash-Forward 20 Years Later and after being off Broadway for a decade, "Cats' is on a 30th Anniversary National Tour and has arrived at Seattle's Paramount for this week Only.

What a Masterpiece! It has gone from weird Operetta to High-Art with more Dancing. (I don't recall the Dancing being do good). The New Choreographer/Director, Robert Stafford, even included Tap, yes, TAP! While as a company the cast lacks a real clarity with the lyrics in the larger group numbers, as if they are all singing through mouthfuls of cotton balls, they make up for it in their dance and in a few fine individual performances.   Among the highlights were Erica Leigh Hansen as Jennyanydots, with one of the best voices of the night and in contrasting performances by Christopher Sidoli as Asparagus and Growltiger.&nbsp ; Melissa Grohowski as Grizabella does a nice job as with “Memory”, the STILL one memorable song of the show.

MK Scott (c) 2009

This Grizabella still doesn't compare to seeing the original, Betty Buckley performing "Memory", LIVE in December 2009 in Seattle, or watching her performance on You Tube. Now the rest of this production has improved with focusing on the memorable songs and incorporating more dancing. I feel I totally understood the story this time.  So, if you saw it once before and didn't feel it, I would give this version a chance.   "Cats" runs through Sunday, 4/22, Check it OUT!