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| The original Broadway home of CATS |
Seeing Cats on Broadway in September 1992 was a magical experience. My friend Tom and I met in front of the Majestic Theatre, hoping to see The Phantom of the Opera. Unfortunately, it was sold out. Though it was in its 4th year, Phantom tickets were a challenge to get, and two seats together were almost impossible. We accepted defeat and decided to try another show. I had suggested Les Misérables, but Tom said it was three hours long and the only special effect was the guns, so he suggested Cats. I had not seen the show yet and had only heard the songs "Memory" and "Mr. Mistoffelees." From the moment we walked into the theatre, I was awestruck. The set was everywhere. Christmas lights strung over the audience made it feel like we had walked onto a movie set. As the lights dimmed and the overture began, you knew you were in for something special when you heard the patter of feet throughout the theatre and saw glowing eyes moving around the aisles. The costumes and sets were impressive. Tom and I were sitting close to the stage, in a row that had enough space for the actors to pass in front of us. The elaborate cat costumes, complete with furry tails and whiskers, transformed the actors into their feline counterparts but definitely not your average kitty cats. As Old Deuteronomy, played by Ken Prymus, slowly passed us, observing everyone around as an old cat would do, Tom and I could feel some of the fibers that made up his costume, which I discovered was made of yak hair. The set, designed to resemble a junkyard, was a playground for the cats, filled with oversized props that created a sense of scale and fantasy. The use of lighting and special effects added an extra layer of magic, making the entire production feel like a dream come to life. I have seen the 4th national touring production a few times and as great as the cast members were, the magic just doesn't transfer to most theatres in spite of the impressive set.
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| The creative team of CATS |
The cast brought their A-game too. Each character was portrayed with such detail, including little tics that cat owners would notice as part of normal behavior for their own feline friends. Jennyanydots, played by Rose McGuire, was hysterical, as was Bradford Minkoff in the role of Rum Tum Tugger. Mister Mistoffelees was performed by an incredibly graceful dancer from Japan named Gen Horiuchi. I was not one to enjoy dancing, especially ballet-like moves, but Mr. Horiuchi was so mesmerizing that he is the reason I began to appreciate different styles of dance. Roger Kachel and the adorable Kristi Lynes brought a lot of comic relief to the show as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Munkustrap, played by Bryan Batt, was the kitty I would have chosen to adopt and take home. Batt was the sort of leading man whose velvety voice could fit into any leading role. As much as I loved everyone I saw in the cast, there was another who could have just walked on stage, sang her song, and called it a night. Laurie Beechman, who played Grizabella, delivered a truly unforgettable performance. Her rendition of "Memory" was nothing short of haunting, filled with raw emotion that left the audience in awe. Her powerful voice is most likely echoing in the rafters of the Winter Garden Theatre to this day. Laurie Beechman's expressive acting made her a standout among a talented cast. I've seen several ladies perform the role of Grizabella, all very talented, but Laurie Beechman seemed to tap into the character to the point where everyone could sense something was not at all right about that cat. Pain, longing, and loneliness are words that come to mind, but there was more to it. Years later, I read that Laurie had struggled with and battled ovarian cancer for many years and worked throughout her treatment despite her pain. I had the luck of meeting her in 1993 and loved her warm, sweet demeanor. I was 16 or 17 and sort of starstruck, but she was not having it. The moment she grabbed my hand and thanked me for my words about her performance, my nerves were gone. She signed my CD copies of her Listen To My Heart and Time Between the Time albums, both of which I treasure to this day.
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| Laurie Beechman as Grizabella |
The ensemble numbers were packed with energy, showcasing the incredible talent of the dancers and singers. It was clear that every performer was fully committed to their role, creating a vibrant and immersive world on stage. In addition to the infectious music and larger-than-life set, the choreography was another highlight of the show. Gillian Lynne's dance sequences were both intricate and fluid, perfectly capturing the feline grace and agility of the characters. The dancers moved effortlessly across the stage, their movements synchronized with the pulsating rhythm of the music. Each dance number was a visual feast, adding depth and dynamism to the storytelling. By the end of the show, I was in tears—it was beautiful and so immersive. I was there with a man I had crushed on for years, and though my focus would have been on him in any other setting, I basically ignored him for two hours. But the second we exited the Winter Garden, there I was, with Tom and our memories of seeing Cats. After leaving the show, I had to have the cast album and acquired both the London and Broadway recordings. Comparing the live show to the cast recording, there were some noticeable differences in the orchestrations. The live performance had a richer, more immersive sound, with the orchestra bringing a dynamic range that you just can't capture in a recording. The music felt more alive, responding to the energy of the performers and the audience. While the cast recording is a wonderful way to relive the show, nothing compares to the experience of seeing Cats live on stage, where every note, movement, and emotion come together to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.
If you’re interested in the music of Cats, I highly recommend the 1985 Australian Cast Recording. It’s the most extensive of all the English-language cast albums and reflects many of the changes made after the show had been running for a few years in New York. Debra Byrne’s Grizabella is stellar. The Broadway cast album is also great, especially with Betty Buckley's powerful rendition of "Memory," though the show did change slightly after the album was recorded. The London Cast Recording, while nice for a 42-year-old album, feels more like a concept album at this point. However, Elaine Paige's rendition of "Memory" is iconic, and hearing Sarah Brightman as Jemima is kinda awesome. The film soundtrack, much like the film itself, is not recommended.
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