News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Columbus Children's Theatre to Stage CATS This May

By: Apr. 21, 2016
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

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


Comments

To post a comment, you must register and login.






Videos