Columbus Children's Theatre to Stage CATS This May

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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