Synopsis

Act I " When Cats Are Maddened by the Midnight Dance

The Jellicle cats gather every year to make the "Jellicle Choice", and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

After the overture, the Cats gather on stage and explain the Jellicle tribe and its purpose ("Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats"). The Cats (who break the fourth wall throughout the production) then notice that they are being watched by a man, and proceed to explain how the different Cats of the tribe are named ("The Naming of Cats"). This is followed by a dance from Victoria the White Cat that signals the beginning of the Jellicle Ball ("The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball"). Munkustrap (the wise second-in-command of the Jellicle tribe) explains that tonight, the Jellicle leader, Old Deuteronomy, will choose a cat to be reborn into a new life on the Heaviside Layer.

Munkustrap introduces Jennyanydots ("The Old Gumbie Cat"), a large tabby cat. She "sits and sits and sits and sits" all day, while at night she teaches the mice and cockroaches various activities. However, when Jennyanydots finishes her song, the number is interrupted, with the music changing suddenly, when the Rum Tum Tugger makes an extravagant entrance ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). He is very fickle and unappeasable, "for he will do as he do do, and there's no doing anything about it".

As Rum Tum Tugger's song fades, a shabby old grey cat stumbles out and looks around; it is Grizabella. All the Cats back away from her in fear and disgust and sing of her unfortunate state ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). Grizabella leaves and the music changes to a cheerful upbeat number as Bustopher Jones, a fat cat in "a coat of fastidious black", appears ("Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town"). Bustopher Jones is among the elite of the cats, and visits prestigious gentlemen's clubs. Suddenly, a loud crash then startles the tribe and the Cats run off the stage in fright. Hushed giggling signals the entrance of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, a pair of near-identical Cats. They are petty burglars, very mischievous, and they enjoy causing trouble for human families ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer").

Finally, the Jellicle patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, appears ("Old Deuteronomy"). He is a large old Cat that "has lived many lives" and "buried nine wives". He is the Cat who will choose which Jellicle Cat will go to the Heaviside Layer. After rejoicing to their leader's arrival, the Cats put on a play ("The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles") for Old Deuteronomy. It is a story about two dog tribes clashing in the street and subsequently being scared away by the Great Rumpus Cat, a cat with flashing red eyes. After a moral from Old Deuteronomy about the destiny of Jellicle Cats and Pollicle Dogs, a second loud crash, presumably from Macavity, sends the alarmed Cats scurrying. Old Deuteronomy calls the Cats back and the main celebration begins ("The Jellicle Ball"), in which the cats sing and display their "Terpsichorean powers".

During the Ball, Grizabella reappears and tries to dance along, but her age and decrepit condition prevent her from doing so. Once again, she is shunned by the other Cats, but that does not stop her from singing a short version of "Memory" while a guilty Old Deuteronomy looks on.

Act II " Why Will the Summer Day Delay " When Will Time Flow Away"

After the Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy sings of "what happiness is", referring to Grizabella. The Cats do not understand, so he repeats the message again and Jemima sings it in simpler terms ("The Moments of Happiness"). Gus " short for Asparagus " shuffles forward ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). He was once a famous actor but is now old and "suffers from palsy which makes his paws shake." He is accompanied by Jellylorum, who tells of his exploits. Gus then remembers how he once played the infamous Growltiger, the Terror of the Thames ("Growltiger's Last Stand"). He tells the story about the pirate's romance with Griddlebone and how he was overtaken by the Siamese and forced to walk the plank.

Back in the present, after Gus exits, Skimbleshanks is seen sleeping in the corner ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). He is the Cat who is unofficially in charge of the night train to Glasgow. Skimbleshanks is considered vital to the train, as without him "the train can't start". Within his song, a whole steam train engine is assembled out of objects in the junkyard: Various Cats spin wheels, hold up the structure, and light the headlights.

With a third crash and an evil laugh, the "most wanted" cat Macavity appears. He is a "master criminal" and is never found at the scene of the crime. Macavity's minions throw a net over Old Deuteronomy and capture him. As the other Cats try to follow him, Demeter and Bombalurina sing what they know about Macavity ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). When they are finished, Macavity returns disguised as Old Deuteronomy, but when Demeter blows his cover, Macavity ends up fighting with Munkustrap and Alonzo. Though Macavity holds his own for a time, the rest of the tribe begin to gang up and surround him, but he shorts out the stage lights as an attempt to escape in the confusion.

After the fight, Rum Tum Tugger suggests that the Cats should find a local magician named Mr. Mistoffelees "the original conjuring cat" for help. ("Magical Mr. Mistoffelees"). Mr. Mistoffelees is small and black and can perform feats of magic that no other Cat can do. Mr. Mistoffelees soon arrives just in time as he performs his dance, which is often one of the most intricate and challenging dance solos in the show. The magical Cat restores the lights and brings back Old Deuteronomy, earning praise from all the Cats. The Jellicle Choice can now be made.

After Old Deuteronomy sits down, Grizabella returns to the junkyard and he allows her to address the gathering. Her faded appearance and lonely disposition have little effect on her song ("Memory"). With acceptance and encouragement from Jemima and Victoria, her appeal succeeds and she is chosen to be the one to go to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn to a new Jellicle life ("Journey to the Heaviside Layer"). A large tire rises from the piles of junk, carrying Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy partway toward the sky; he then steps off so she can finish the journey on her own. Finally, Old Deuteronomy gives his closing speech to the human audience ("The Ad-dressing of Cats") and the show comes to a close.

((Here it is, the place where you can post your reactions! As always, please respect the setting, and have fun!))

Shortly after the rehearsals for Cats started, the Shanachie gained a regular visitor. A cat with a mottled grey-and-brown coat and a hint of tabby stripes followed Eregor into the Green Room one day and settled down for a stay. He introduced her to anyone who asked as Diamond, his "favorite feline", and as she kept out of the way and made sure to take care of business, as it were, outside behind some bushes, there was no real reason to object to her presence.

Indeed, she became something of an unofficial mascot for the production, watching from the wings as the cast danced and sang. At times she would perch out in the seats during rehearsal, meowing her own little commentary, or watch as the performers donned their costumes and makeup. This, most of all, seemed to fascinate Diamond; she had seen cats transform into human shape before, but never a human become a cat. Not quite like this, anyway.

Though it was hard to tell, she seemed to like Jemima and Victoria best among the Jellicles, as well as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer who would occasionally chat with her, the latter in her own tongue. Oddly enough, given who played the role, she paid little attention to Munkustrap, except when it was time to go home for the night. Sometimes not even then.

As the Shanachie's run of Cats drew towards its closing, Eregor was having the time of his lives. He told Mataya that playing any role in the show was a joy, but Munkustrap especially was like a gift to him....a particularly appropriate sentiment, since the show was wrapping over his birthday weekend.

"I've been in touch with Elena to arrange extra-special catering for the wrap party....it may be my birthday, but everyone gets to celebrate!"

As for the show itself, well, it was certainly one of the more physically demanding shows. Dancing, stretching, prancing about in fairly-tight catsuits....not suggestive (for the most part, though "The Rum Tum Tugger" definitely had its moments) but graceful, as cats should be. Whether it was Victoria's or Mistofolees' solos, or the full spectacle of the Jellicle Ball, it was elegance and excitement all rolled together.

It was difficult for Eregor to pick a favorite moment in his role, but the marvelous dance-fight that he and Amos waged as Munkustrap vs. Macavity was certainly a highlight. They had discussed it and played it with the vehemence that only a battle between brothers could have, as in Eregor's mind the two of them—and Alonzo—were all sons of Old Deuteronomy, with Macavity the oldest who rebelled. He had to admit, that was part of the fun in any production of Cats, figuring out the relationships between the different Jellicles. There was no real direction in the script, so they all went with what felt right. (That was why he always called Brend "Dad" instead of "The Deute" throughout the run.)

Now it was Friday night, on the penultimate day of the show....one this night, then two the next day, and it was over. Never forgotten, though.

The lights came up, and Munkustrap opened his eyes to stare out at the audience.

"Are you blind when you're born?"

Among the table full of delicious food was a lopsided cake. On top were the outlines of two small hands traced out in icing. On either side of that strangely shaped cake was a card. The children weren't adept at writing, yet, but pictures could speak volumes.

At home, there was one Rhi's apple pies and a half gallon of cinnamon flavored ice cream waiting. Until then, Colleen and Alinar were getting to meet the theater company; they were spellbound by the costumes. It took some convincing to get the little girl to understand that yes, that was her father with cat ears and whiskers. Her brother was trying to sing, but apparently had taken lessons in Cat as it came out like yowling. Life was never dull.

Although Josh had bid farewell to the Shanachie stage a few months ago, he couldn't help but say yes when Mataya had called asking - no, practically begging - him to take part in Cats, especially when she was tempting him with such a plum role as that of Mistoffelees. Even when he'd pointed out that he was a little too tall for the part, Mataya had persisted, until he'd finally given in. After all, it had been a performance of Cats that had first sparked his imagination and interest in musical theater as a boy.

His dancing more than made up for the fact that his role required no singing, and he couldn't help but admit how much fun it was to be back on stage again. It had been his life-long passion, after all, despite being of noble birth.

He was, in fact, an accomplished enough dancer that he made the twenty-four fouett's required of him each night look like child's play; and by the end of the run, he was seriously considering staying on a guest performer, if Mataya would still have him. And if Dru didn't mind her Prince Consort sneaking away to Rhy'Din every now and then.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/dd/a6/89/dda689cbe52a9df254502145815f23e5.jpg The Magical Mister Mistoffelees

https://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/224588881/id/IJ-w2oFk5xGYKcTEV2y1RQ/size/l.jpg

"Wait, it's a whole musical about....cats" Like....like the ones who show up at the bar?"

As usual, Saila took to the Internet to learn about her latest assignment. She figured the Internet (Saila was generally under the impression that 'the Internet' was a living, sentient being who hung out on her phone) would enjoy this particular search, since it seemed so enthusiastic about showing her cats when she looked for other things. Well, cats and naked people, but mostly cats.

Her research turned up some interesting results.

"...'She flirts with many toms, including Alonzo, Pouncival, and Rum Tum Tugger. She especially flirts with Tugger'..." Saila read aloud from one article. "So it's like I'm Maureen again without all the protesting. And, you know. Body paint. Okay, I can do that. '

Later:

—"This one says that my character is supposed to be 'mated' to RumTumTugger."

—"But these people and these people think she's with Macavity. Or used to be."

—"A lot of these say that she's supposed to be Demeter's sister," she said to Sabine, "but apparently some people think they're lovers."

—"This one says she's into Mistoffelees!"

—"Okay, okay. I'm just gonna....flirt with everybody, I guess." She grinned. "This'll be fun."