Columbus Children's Theatre will present CATS, May 5-15, 2016 at Lincoln Theatre located at 769 E. Long Street. This production is directed by Ryan Scarlata and choreographed by Jeff Fouch. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot This production is sponsored by AEP.
Based on the universally popular poetry of
T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats when one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer and come back to a new life. One by one, the cats step forward to introduce themselves, auditioning for the chance to take the journey to the Heaviside layer.
Do you remember the first time you saw CATS? Was it a VHS tape? Did you see it live? Or maybe you have only the early memories of listening to the original cast recording. No matter who you are, or what the experience was, you have it. Unlike other musicals, CATS seems to impact far beyond the theatre community, with many either having very positive or very negative link with the show. Such is true for every cast member in the upcoming production of CATS at CCT.
Stewart Bender, who is portraying Bustopher Jones and Gus the Theatre Cat, shared this memory on the first day of rehearsal. "When I was about 14, Cats was the first Original Broadway Cast album I heard and owned." says Bender. "It sparked a life-long obsession with musical theatre!"
CCT is also creating a first impression of CATS for the Columbus community as first regional production the show by a local theatre company; it approaches with high anticipation. The excitement began in January when CCT announced partnership with local dance professionals in The Columbus Moving Company (CMco). Artistic Director Jeff Fouch signed on as choreographer and immediately increased the level of talent in the already existing production team of
Ryan Scarlata (Artistic Director), Michael Brewer (Set Designer) and
Brendan Michna (Lighting Designer). Auditions hosted over 70 local actors followed by a dance intensive 5 hour callback one week later. The final 28 actors that were selected for the production include many who had never before considered auditioning for a children's theatre, however the draw of the iconic
Andrew Lloyd Webber musical was too exhilarating to resist. Complied of a mostly adult cast, CCT's CATS will feature amazing tumbling and aerial feats on silks along with the beautiful dancing that the show is known for.
Adult tickets are $25-$30 and Child/Student/Senior (ages 55 & over) tickets are $20-$25. On Thrifty Thursdays, tickets are $17 for all seats, all ages. Reservations are recommended. Group rates are available. Contact the Ticket Office for more at 614.224.6672 or
www.ColumbusChildrensTheatre.org.
ABOUT THE CAST:Cast listed in order by zip code. Cast members under 18 years old are indicated with a *.
| ROLE |
Name |
City |
Zip Code |
| Rumpleteaser |
Sarah Tuohy* |
Blacklick |
43004 |
| Mungojerrie |
Kyle Swearingen* |
Dublin |
43017 |
| George |
Jack Miller |
Dublin |
43017 |
| Tantomile |
Audrey Craddick* |
Hillard |
43026 |
| Exotica |
Bryanna Rusnak* |
Lewis Center |
43035 |
| Pouncival |
Taryn Hammond* |
Marysville |
43040 |
| Jellylorum |
Krista Stauffer |
Westerville |
43081 |
| Grizabella |
Kendra Lucas |
Westerville |
43081 |
| Macavity/Plato |
Keith Larsen |
Westerville |
43081 |
| Alonzo |
Alex Armesto |
Westerville |
43081 |
| Rum Tum Tugger |
Justin King |
Columbus |
43201 |
| Mr. Mistoffelees |
Jeff Fouch |
Columbus |
43201 |
| Jennyanydots |
Abigail Zeszotek |
Columbus |
43201 |
| Skimbleshanks |
William Macke |
Columbus |
43206 |
| Bustopher Jones/Gus the Theatre Cat |
Stewart Bender |
Columbus |
43206 |
| Bombalurina |
Charlotte Brown* |
Columbus |
43212 |
| Bill Bailey |
Nathaniel Thomas* |
Columbus |
43214 |
| Old Deuteronomy |
Ryan Stem |
Columbus |
43215 |
| Demeter |
Mary Rieffel |
Columbus |
43215 |
| Etcetera |
Kelsey Bick |
Columbus |
43215 |
| Carbucketty |
Kati Serbu |
Upper Arlington |
43220 |
| Munkustrap |
Devin Judge |
Upper Arlington |
43220 |
| Cassandra |
Kait Descutner |
Upper Arlington |
43221 |
| Electra |
Joyce Patrone |
Columbus |
43228 |
| Coricopat |
Winnona Maddrey* |
Columbus |
43229 |
| Victoria |
Jessica Parker |
Columbus |
43229 |
| Jemima |
Grace Johnson* |
Zanesville |
43701 |
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM:
| ROLE |
NAME |
| Director |
Ryan Scarlata |
| Asst. Director |
Ellie Levine |
| Stage Manager |
Michael Minite |
| Asst. Stage Manager |
Cristin Crane |
| Music Director |
Jonathan Collura |
| Choreographer |
Jeff Fouch |
| Costumer |
Patty Bennett and Angela Barch-Shamell |
| Set Designer |
Michael Brewer |
| Lighting Designer |
Brendan Michna |
| Make-Up & Hair Designer |
Suzanne Camilli |
| Makeup Artists |
Mary Sink, Lauren McDaniels, Kase Donaldson |
| Artistic Director |
Bill Goldsmith |
| Associate Artistic Director |
Ryan Scarlata |
| Technical Director |
Chris Rusen |
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