Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS to Screen as Part of PBS's GREAT PERFORMANCES Next Month

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, the second longest-running Broadway musical (only surpassed by Lloyd Webber's own "The Phantom of the Opera"), and fourth longest-running West End musical, returns in high definition and digital sound to GREAT PERFORMANCES where it had its 1998 world television premiere. The special encore presentation will air Friday, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Produced under the personal supervision of Lloyd Webber, the production - winner of Best Musical in both Broadway's TONY AWARDS and London's Olivier Awards --was restaged for video and recorded with a specially augmented 76-piece orchestra. It was filmed atLondon's Adelphi Theatre in August 1997, and headlines original London star Elaine Paige as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, the late SirJohn Mills as Gus the Theatre Cat, and original Broadway star Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy.

Lloyd Webber remarked at the time, "There were not many changes made to the show itself for the timing. We've been able to keep very close to the spirit of the stage show and that's been the intention from the beginning. Of course, being close up with cameras we are able to tell the story a little clearer, a little better...Additionally, we had taken the position very deliberately in the filming of Cats not to have an audience, because we want people to come into the world of Cats and then lose themselves in it."

A new production of Cats -- with original director Sir Trevor Nunn, choreographer Gillian Lynne, and designer John Napier again heading the creative team -- is set to open at the London Palladium in December.

Composer Lloyd Webber has become a household name through a succession of tremendously popular musicals including "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Evita," "Phantom of the Opera," and "Sunset Boulevard." Other works include "The Beautiful Game," "Whistle Down the Wind," "Love Never Dies," and "Stephen Ward."

Elaine Paige, star of Broadway and the West End, and host of her own TV and radio series in the U.K., created the role of Grizabella when the original production opening in London's West End on May 11, 1981. She replaced Judi Dench, who was injured during rehearsals, and introduced the show's signature song, "Memory," one of the most recorded songs of all time. With John Napier's eye-popping junkyard design and David Hersey's striking lighting, it was the ultimate sonic and visual theatrical experience in its day, and set the standard for blockbusters like "Les Miserables," "Miss Saigon," and "The Lion King."

Based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by Nobel Prize-winning American poet T.S. Eliot, Cats has been performed around the world many times and has spawned numerous cast albums.

A production of Universal Pictures International Entertainment, Cats is a presentation of Really Useful Films, and was produced byAndrew Lloyd Webber, and directed by David Mallet. Executive Producer: Gary Lucchesi. Gillian Lynne returns as musical stager and choreographer, with John Napier again as designer.

Full Cast:

Alonzo Jason Gardiner

Asparagus Tony Timberlake

Bombalurina Rosemarie Ford

Bustopher Jones James Barron

Cassandra Rebecca Parker

Coricopat Tommi Sliiden

Demeter Aeva May

Electra Leah Sue Morland

Etcetera Jo Bingham

Exotica Femi Taylor

Grizabella Elaine Paige

Gus the Theatre Cat Sir John Mills

Jellylorum Susan Jane Tanner

Jemima Veerle Casteleyn

Jemima (Jr.) Helen Massey

Jennyanydots Suzie McKenna

Macavity / Plato Bryn Walters

Mungojerrie Drew Varley

Mungojerrie (Jr.) ("James") Paul Baker

Munkustrap Michael Gruber

Old Deuteronomy Ken Page

Pouncival Karl Morgan

Quaxo/Mr. Mistoffelees Jacob Brent

Rum Tum Tugger / Admtus John Partridge

Rumpleteazer Jo Gibb

Rumpleteazer (Jr.) Vicky Coote

Rumpus Cat / Admetus Frank Thompson

Skimbleshanks Geoffrey Garratt

Skimbleshanks (Jr.) David Arneil

Tantomile Kaye Brown

Tumblebrutus Fergus Logan

Victoria (White Cat) Phyllida Crowley Smith

GREAT PERFORMANCES is produced by THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Bill O'Donnell is series producer and David Horn is executive producer.

Visit GREAT PERFORMANCES Online at www.pbs.org/gperf for additional information about this and other programs.

About WNET - As New York's flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NEWSHOUR Weekend, CHARLIE ROSE and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

PBS Fall Arts Festival - The 2014 PBS ARTS FALL FESTIVAL is an 11-week series hosted by Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and accomplished singerKristin Chenoweth. This year's Festival includes: Live From Lincoln Center's 40th anniversary season featuring "'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' In Concert With the New York Philharmonic" starring Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson, and "The Nance" starring Nathan Lane; "Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years"; "The Gershwins'® Porgy And Besssm From San FranciscoOpera; GREAT PERFORMANCES "Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE!" and "Cats"; "Michael Feinstein at The Rainbow Room," celebrating the reopening of the historic restaurant and nightclub; "Hitmakers," an up-close look at the music industry's resilience in the digital age; "Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home," featuring the star performing in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and "A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen (w.t.)", with music's biggest names performing Springsteen's biggest hits. The PBS Arts Festivals underscores PBS' commitment to America's best performing arts and gives millions of viewers a front-row seat and a backstage pass to great cultural programs.

For more information, visit http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/, or follow the series on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreatPerformances and Twitter: @GPerfPBS.

Photo Credit: Dan Wooller