The Bushnell, Hartford, CT
through February 3, 2019
by R.E. Smith
 |
| Photo by Matthew Murphy |
Like the eternal debate between “cat lovers” and “dog people,”
so too does the legendary musical “Cats” tend to split theatergoers into
opposing camps. With roots in early 1980 and visions of copious leg warmers,
some remember the show only as a punch line, but for others it is the infectious songs,
and playful idea of cats attending a ball, that make for a warmer “memory” (Yes, the
reviewer just went there!)
Based on the poems of TS Eliot, the “book” is really a
series of sung-through vignettes and character studies about various felines
who, it seems, are just like us. The songs are unmistakably Andrew Lloyd Webber: “Jellicle
Songs for Jellicle Cats” has a bouncy melody that swiftly propels us into the junkyard-gathering
place of our various protagonists. “The Magical Mister Mistoffelees,” has
distinct echoes of “Joseph’s Dreamcoat. . .” right down to a multi-colored LED
jacket. But the one song everyone is here for is “Memory.” Sung by the “faded
glamour cat,” Grizabella, here poignantly embodied by Keri Rene Fuller, it does
not disappoint and Fuller’s passionate delivery inspired many people to leap to
their feet.
The costumes have been tweaked a bit, and newer stagecraft
technology has been employed to make things a little sleeker and shinier, but
the biggest production change was to hire “Hamilton” choreographer Andy
Blankenbuehler to update the original choreography. His influence seems to be
in the speed of the movements and the more modern athletic aesthetic touches.
It is here, in the dancing, that Cats really stands out. One would be
hard-pressed to find a show with more company-heavy numbers, each one requiring,
at almost all times, intense precision and the undisputed talent of the 22
performers. Some might just come for the songs, but you'll leave remembering the dances, too.
Caitlin Bond, as the white kitten Victoria, may not have her
own song or story, but her character is a strong presence throughout. With her
impressive ballet background, Bond is a featured in many of the numbers,
embodying the more physics-defying attributes of a young cat. Tony d’Alelio
and Rose Iannaccone’s duet dance number “”Mungojerrie and Rumplelteazer” was a
pure physical delight. McGee Maddox’s “The Rum Tum Tugger”, was an audience pleasing
glam-rock number and “The Old Gumbie Cat”, led by Emily Jeanne Phillips, proved
that cats and mice AND cockroaches can tap dance.
Billed as “not your grandparents' Cats,” this tour boasts
the involvement of almost all the original Broadway production staff, but
gives it just enough new polish to make the show worth revisiting, or simply
seeing again.
