THE HANGOVER REPORT – CATS ascends once again on the Great White Way

cats-west-end-2015

The company of the Broadway revival of “Cats”

Cats once touted that it would be around “now and forever” on Broadway. Well, if that phrase encompasses future revivals, then there may be some truth yet in that clever marketing slogan. You see, the love-it-or-hate-it Cats used its second of nine lives when it re-opened earlier this month at the Neil Simon Theatre. I used the term “re-open” carefully, as the current production is less a rethought revival as it is a remounting of the production that (in)famously inhabited the Winter Garden Theatre for nearly 18 years.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats is really more of an English musical hall revue than it is a Broadway-style book musical, even if it does attempt to bring to the fore a semblance of a through-line narrative from what is essentially a collection of cat poems. In addition to Mr. Lloyd Webber, the revival re-assembles much of the original creative team, most notably director Trevor Nunn and designer John Napier. Both recreate their work faithfully, although it must be said that Mr. Napier’s scenic design is significantly less immersive and elaborate (for example, a less impressive ascending tire at the show’s climax and the cutting of an operatic parody that takes place on a pirate ship) than his work at the Winter Garden. Overall, the musical now takes on a lighter air than the mysterious sensuality that was the trademark of the original.

The most significant changes in the revival at the Neil Simon are Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography – based on Gillian Lynne’s original choreography – and Natasha Katz’s updated lighting design. Luckily both additions make a positive impact on the piece, bringing the show confidently into the 21st century. Their contributions are apparent throughout but most evident in the sensational restaging of the second act’s “Magical Mister Mistoffelees” number (brilliantly danced by Ricky Ubeda).

I must admit that when the overture started (the revival uses the original orchestrations by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen), I unexpectedly got emotional. I would remain misty-eyed through much of the production. This revival of Cats, very much like the The Phantom of the Opera which continues to haunt the Majestic as Broadway’s longest-running show, is a chance to revisit theater lore without time traveling.

The revival cast is young, eager, and mostly top notch. Standouts include Tyler Hanes’ magnetic Rum Tum Tugger, the aforementioned Ricky Ubeda’s show-stopping Mistoffelees, and Georgina Pazcoguin’s (Ms. Pazcoguin is taking a leave of absence from her usual gig at New York City Ballet) effortlessly sensuous Victoria. Leona Lewis sings the heck out of Grizabella’s numbers, including the indestructible “Memory”, but her acting leaves something to be desired. Let the memory live again, indeed.

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CATS
Broadway, Musical
Neil Simon Theatre
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Open run

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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