Toronto Review: 'CATS', The North American Touring Company at The Princess of Wales
Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic
‘Cats’ has finally purred and meowed its way back into Toronto. It tells the story of one night when a tribe of Jellicle Cats gather for the annual Jellicle Ball to rejoice where their leader, Old Deuteronomy, will decide which cat is to be reborn in the Heaviside Layer and come back to a different Jellicle life. For those of us who have seen the musical, we know who it is.
Have we returned to the eighties‘?
Well, it appears so. My guest for this opening night, my niece Allison, stated at the end of the first act how the music sounds very 80s. And she’s right because it does. She also said that for some reason there appears to be a resurgence and interest in all things eighties from the clothing styles to music.
And who cares if everything old is new again?
If this youthful, vibrant touring company is any indication at this opening night, ‘Cats’ still has a long life ahead of it, and audiences will continue to ‘let the memory live again’ even thirty years later.
John Napier’s scenic design of the junkyard is still aptly front and centre which works extremely well at the Princess of Wales. Performers make use of the entire house throughout the show as several characters enter and exit through the audience. Mr. Napier’s legendary feline costume designs of slinky skintight body suits and intricate makeup design still capture that kitty cat look that we have all come to know. I for one am interested to see how CGI effects will capture the same look in the film next month. I may be only one of the few who is interested as initial word of mouth about the recent CGI film teasers are not favourable.
Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler has taken the late Gillian Lynne’s original work and has brought a freshness which recaptures just how exciting it is to watch these lithe and agile dancers in action. For example, two numbers, the opening ‘Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats’ and ‘The Jellicle Ball’ amazingly showcase veritable ensemble talent. There are other dynamic moments to watch throughout the production.
This terrific touring company resolutely showed me they understood every single word they spoke, said or sang. As a retired high school English teacher, I have always wondered how poetry and the spoken word could be of interest to twenty first century high school students. ‘Cats’ is based on poet T. S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’. Granted this book of poetry may not be the first choice for students, but this ensemble sang and spoke each word with clear conviction under Trevor Nunn’s distinctive direction of fluid pacing and Music Director Eric Kang’s tuneful ear.
There are killer solo and ensemble vocal numbers to boot. As Grizabella, the glamour cat who has seen happier days and times, Keri Rene Fuller’s version of ‘Memory’ is a stunning ballpark knockout of an eleven o’clock number that does not border on a saccharine like sentimentality. ‘The Naming of Cats’ at the top of the show hauntingly reminded me of the thought we must give first before we name a cat. The final two company numbers of ‘Journey to the Heaviside Layer’ and ‘The Ad-dressing of Cats’ sent shivers tingling down my spine as the climax of the story attained its zenith with passion and fanfare. The only number that halts the fluid pacing for me is ‘The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles’ (Gus, the Cat’s story). This moment did not enlighten me any further about the character.
Brandon Michael Nase is a terrific embodiment of wise Old Deuteronomy. Again, Keri Rene Fuller’s version of ‘Memory’ brought a tear to my eye. McGee Maddox is a sexy, swiveling Rum Tum Tugger. Timothy Gulan is a stout hearted, Teddy Bear of a Bustopher Jones. Emily Jeanne Phillips scrumptiously ate up the floor as the tap dancing Jennyanydots. Brayden Newby’s Macavity certainly heightened the tension as the mystery cat who could literally frighten the pants off anyone at a moment’s notice. Giovanni DiGabrielle is a nimble Skimbleshanks, the railway cat. Justin W. Geiss and Rose Iannaccone as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are an adorable pair of troublemaker kitties. PJ Digaetano’s Mr. Mistoffelees magically cavorted and entertained in his number.
FINAL COMMENTS: The conclusion to ‘Cats’ once again reminded me of the important Christian theme and message of moving on to a new life after our life here is done. As a practicing Catholic, this final show stopping number vocally and visually moved me momentarily to tears.
It’s here for the holiday season. Go and enjoy.
CATS
Continues to January 5, 2020 at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King Street West. For tickets call 1-416-872-1212 or visit www.mirvish.com for more information.
Running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
Photo of the Touring Company by Matthew Murphy
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Orchestrations by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen; Scenic and Costume Design by John Napier; Lighting Design by Natasha Katz; Sound Design by Mick Potter; Choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne); Music Director by Eric Kang; Directed by Trevor Nunn;
The Company: Zachary S. Berger; Caitlin Bond; Erin Chupinsky; Kaitlyn Davidson; Maurice Dawkins; Phillip Deceus; Giovanni DiGabrielle; P J DiGaetano; Cameron Edris; Maria Failla; Keri Rene Fuller; Justin W. Geiss; Timothy Gulan; Devin Hatch; Emma Hearn; Dan Hoy; Rose Iannaccone; Laura Katherine Kaufman; Marina Lazzaretto; Brett Michael Lockley; McGee Maddox; Madison Mitchell; Brandon Michael Nase; Brayden Newby; Charlotte O’Dowd; Emily Jeanne Phillips; Alexa Racioppi; Mariah Reives; Austin Joseph Reynolds; Adam Richardson; Nevada Riley; Annemarie Rosano; Arianna Rosario, Melody Rose; Zachary Tallman; Adam Vanek; Loretta Williams;