Review: MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS at Ogunquit Playhouse
Mr. Holland's Opus is a world premiere new musical currently running at the Ogunquit Playhouse based on the 1995 motion picture of the same title. It is a story set in San Francisco in 1969 about a successful musician and composer, Glenn Holland (Akron Watson) who switches careers to become a first-time music teacher at John F. Kennedy high school so that he can spend more time with his wife, Iris (Anastasia Barzee).
BWW Review: Broadway Across Canada's Touring Production of CATS Proves Its Enduring Appeal
The touring production of CATS has changed in the more than fifteen years since I first saw it, but all of the elements that make the Andrew Lloyd Webber show a classic remain intact. The set is fairly simple: a junkyard where the cats congregate to celebrate the annual Jellicle Ball, when Old Deuteronomy (Adam Richardson) will choose which cat goes to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn.
There are many contenders for the coveted position. We have Jennyanydots (Dani Goldstein), the seemingly lazy Gumbie cat who sleeps all day but works hard all night, demonstrated in a wonderful tap dancing sequence replete with a roaring twenties style flapper outfit. Then, there is the Rum Tum Tugger (McGee Maddox), the narcissistic, spoiled cat with the sexy swagger, who is a favourite of the lady-cats. Grizabella (Donna Vivino), the once glamourous cat, now past her prime and ostracized by the others. Gus, the Theatre Cat (Timothy Gulan), when aided by a toothful of gin, regales the audience with stories of his career on the stage, when he acted alongside theatre greats and once even 'understudied Dick Whittington's cat'. The Magical Mister Mistoffelees (PJ DiGaetano), shows off his impressive tricks and manages to conjure Old Deuteronomy, who was been kidnapped by Macavity (Brayden Newby), the nefarious 'Napoleon of crime'.
Okay, so the plot is, perhaps, a little odd and the story may be disjointed. This is only natural, considering that the musical is based on a collection of whimsical poems written by T.S. Elliot for children. I think the reason CATS remains so popular after nearly forty years is because of the level of detail given to each character, from the costumes and make-up to each cat's story as they are introduced one by one, song by song, to the audience. Even the chorus cats have their own personalities. There is truly something for everyone in this show.
BWW Review: CATS at Shubert Theatre
While I have heard wonderful things about the musical CATS and about the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT, I had never experienced either until March 5, 2020, when both far exceeded my expectations when I saw this musical masterpiece phenomenally performed by an extraordinary cast, to a packed audience representing numerous demographics, leaving us all united with an amazing memory of such an incredible theatrical experience!
CATS Comes to The Fabulous Fox Theatre This April
Producers announced casting for the North American tour of the first ever Broadway revival of CATS. The multi-year tour launched at Providence Performing Arts Center on January 22, 2019 and will play 40+ cities during its multi-year tour, including the Fabulous Fox Theatre from April 7-19.
Adam Vanek, McGee Maddox and More to Star in CATS National Tour Alongside Donna Vivino; New Casting Announced
The Jellicle Cats include Adam Vanek as 'Alonzo,' McGee Maddox as 'Bill Bailey/Rum Tum Tugger,' Elyse Collier as 'Bombalurina,' Jordan Betscher as 'Cassandra,' Maurice Dawkins as 'Coricopat,' Alexa Racioppi as 'Demeter,' Donna Vivino as 'Grizabella,' Annemarie Rosano as 'Jellylorum,' Dani Goldstein as 'Jennyanydots,' PJ DiGaetano as 'Mistoffelees,' Ben Sears as 'Mungojerrie,' Zachary S. Berger as 'Munkustrap,' Timothy Gulan as 'Peter/Bustopher Jones/Asparagus,' Brayden Newby as 'Plato/Macavity,' Brett Michael Lockley as 'Pouncival,' Adriana Negron as 'Rumpleteazer,' Nevada
Riley as 'Sillabub,' Giovanni DiGabriele as 'Skimbleshanks,' Melody Rose as 'Tantomile,' Cameron Edris as 'Tumblebrutus,' Adam Richardson as 'Victor/Old Deuteronomy,' Caitlin Bond as 'Victoria,' along with Erin Chupinsky, Alex Dorf, Devin Hatch, Madison Mitchell, Nathan Patrick Morgan, Charlotte O'Dowd, Austin Joseph Reynolds, Zachary Tallman, Tricia Tanguy and Loretta Williams.
VIDEO: CATS on Tour's Grizabella, Keri Rene Fuller, Sings 'Memory'
The new National Tour of CATS, based off the last Broadway revival, is on the road! The musical returns to Toronto starting tomorrow until January 5th at The Princess of Wales Theatre. Toronto news channel, Breakfast Television chatted with Keri Rene Fuller, who plays Grizabella, about the show, and she performed Memory.
BWW Review: CATS at Majestic Theatre
At any given day, in any given town, in any given house, in any given room, cats are beloved pets of millions of people all over the world. As such, stories can be told about how this cat or that cat stood out from the rest of the cat population to the cat owner who adores their fun furballs. But, has it ever really been understood what really goes on in a cat's mind? Do we really understand cats? Is it ever possible? T.S. Eliot adored cats and because of that, wrote Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. This was the inspiration behind Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS. This acclaimed and beloved musical is currently playing in San Antonio, Texas at the Majestic Theatre and opening night proved to the audience that the story of CATS continues to entertain and enthrall theater goers.
BWW Interview: Timothy Gulan of CATS at Majestic Theatre
Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS has won many awards over the years including seven Tony Awards. CATS has been rediscovered by audiences everywhere and will be coming to San Antonio, Texas and the Majestic Theatre from October 29-November 3, 2019. BWW caught up with Timothy Gulan who plays the part of Bustopher Jones among other cats. He shared with us some fun backstage secrets including make-up and costume preparations.
Broadway's CATS On Sale At Hobby Center, August 2
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Houston from October 22 to October 27, 2019 as part of a multi-season North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 2, 2019.
BWW Review: CATS at Starlight Theatre
A superb touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classical-dance-musical opera 'Cats' from 1982 opened Tuesday evening at Starlight Theatre inside Swope Park for a week long run. 'Cats' unlike many touring shows makes maximum use of its huge venue and the stage possibilities made available through it.
CATS Returns To Sacramento, April 2-7
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Sacramento from April 2 - 7 as part of a multi-season North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.
CATS Comes To The Paramount Theatre
KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount has announced that the tour of the first ever Broadway revival of CATS is coming to Seattle for a limited one-week engagement at The Paramount Theatre from March 26 through March 31.