Cats

[ali973]

Jun 10, 2016 7:58:40 GMT @caiaphas said:

Evita wasn't just restaged. It was a completely new production. New concept, design, staging, everything... Even the logo for the show was different.

Is this a brand new production of Cats? Or is it the one that's been touring for years now, with a couple of new songs thrown in, but still performed on the rubbish tip with the tyre that goes off to the Heavyside Layer? If it's the latter, then it's not brand new, is it? It's the same old production, with someone's work put out with the rubbish, and a new choreographer's efforts replacing what is seen to be dated. Who says it has to be staged on a rubbish tip? Let's have a completely new design concept. Start from scratch and I'm sure nobody would feel insulted.

^ I agree. The upcoming Broadway production is the same blueprint but with a few updates, nips & tucks and quick fixes. 

There is a Phantom tour in the US that has been on the road for some time now (it toured very briefly in the UK, I wonder why) with a new concept, set, direction, etc. Lawrence O'Connor directed and Scott Ambler did the choreography of this version and I haven't heard an outcry from Gillian Lynne because it's a new bast altogether. 

If anything, they should have brought her in as a "consultant" the way they did with Ann Reinking in Fosse. 

[Deleted]

I wouldnt call the uk tour 'very brief'. It ran 14 months in 11 cities. About usual length of time

[chernjam]

Is Trevor Nunn directing the new Broadway production? The whole thing is kind of bizarre since the details seem to be coming out in bits and pieces

[ali973]

It may seem that Broadway won't have a similar Tugger rap/arrangement as we had at the Palladium. This dude is playing Tugger in Broadway and he will be vlogging the experience. I would have thought they wouldn't have taken a different casting decision if it was based on the rap arrangement:

www.broadway.com/buzz/185147/a-jellicle-vlog-for-a-jellicle-cat-tyler-hanes-will-show-you-around-cats-as-broadwaycoms-next-vlogger/

[Deleted]

Jun 11, 2016 19:14:57 GMT ali973 said:

It may seem that Broadway won't have a similar Tugger rap/arrangement as we had at the Palladium. This dude is playing Tugger in Broadway and he will be vlogging the experience. I would have thought they wouldn't have taken a different casting decision if it was based on the rap arrangement:

www.broadway.com/buzz/185147/a-jellicle-vlog-for-a-jellicle-cat-tyler-hanes-will-show-you-around-cats-as-broadwaycoms-next-vlogger/

Confirmed on Broadway.com's Live at Five that there will be no rap for the Broadway production!

[BurlyBeaR]

Good, because it was embarassing.

[Deleted]

For the new Broadway Production, Peakes and the Pollicles has replaced Growltiger in the Act II.

[ali973]

I really can't stand either of these scenes. I'm listening to a cheeky recording of Leona sing Memory as I type this. She's no Nicole or Beverley. I feel that the keys have highered.

[ali973]

Honestly, act 2 is very dreary with exception to the big tribe numbers (is the ball in act 1 or act 2)? I guess Macavity is also good, but otherwise Growltiger and the P&P (which I NEVER understood) are just too long.

[Deleted]

As expected, one of the first audios of Leona doing Memory is now on YouTube... she sounds great!

[ali973]

There's a short clip of "touch me it's so easy to leave me" on Twitter filmed during the sitzprobe:

[Deleted]

Leona also (unsurprisingly) doesn't do the opening number. Which I kinda think is a shame. Jane didn't do it but even Beverley did a little bit of it. Though I still don't understand why Nicole didn't considering she is such a terrific dancer!

[ali973]

Grizabella doing or not doing the opening number is the most non-thing ever. I don't even know where that idea came from for them to do it in the first place. Patti LuPone would definitely negotiate her self out of it

[max]

Agreed ali973. Though there's one thing I've always wondered about that may make it a big 'thing' in the history of the show...

Presumably Judi Dench danced the opening, and that was the cause of her tendon snap, or whatever it was. That ushered in Elaine Paige and a treatment of Grizabella's song that made it chart material.

I also wonder what it was Judi Dench signed up to be in. Since Elaine Paige sang both a Tim Rice lyric and Trevor Nunn's version for the tune of Memory (during previews) there wasn't much of a definite part on paper. Weird.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 8:52:53 GMT max said:

Agreed ali973. Though there's one thing I've always wondered about that may make it a big 'thing' in the history of the show...

Presumably Judi Dench danced the opening, and that was the cause of her tendon snap, or whatever it was. That ushered in Elaine Paige and a treatment of Grizabella's song that made it chart material.

I also wonder what it was Judi Dench signed up to be in. Since Elaine Paige sang both a Tim Rice lyric and Trevor Nunn's version for the tune of Memory (during previews) there wasn't much of a definite part on paper. Weird.

Originally she was going to play both Jennyanydots and Grizabella. The Jennyanydots number was the reasin her tendon snapped. Looking back now though, it would mean that she would have just the Tuggar number to change into Grizabella, so presumably the makeup and costume may of been different.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2016 8:30:22 GMT ali973 said:

Grizabella doing or not doing the opening number is the most non-thing ever. I don't even know where that idea came from for them to do it in the first place. Patti LuPone would definitely negotiate her self out of it

OMGosh. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall with that conversation though?

Director: So, Patti . . 
PLP: It's Ms LuPone
Director: Er sorry, so Ms LuPone. In the opening number you need to strap on the leg warmers and dance about a bit like a cat. You'll be in the second row of dancers, near the end and . . 
PLP: So, when do I sing?
Director: You don't at that bit. You don't get to sing for a while yet . . . 
PLP: But I've been practicing my "Toouuuuuuuccccchhhhhhh meeeeeeeeeeeeee". I don't need a mike. They'll hear me in Arkansas. So, let me ask you again. And think very carefully before you answer this. When. Do. I. Sing?
Director: Ummm, Patt. . . Ms LuPone as I said you don't sing yet . . 
PLP: I built a 10 bedroom mansion in Beverly Hills after screwing Andrew. Lloyd. Webbah over. Don't think I won't deal with you. Get me my agent.  Get me a cab. And get a paramedic. Start running now. You're going to need one. Patti isn't happy . . . .

[BurlyBeaR]

^^^ extra likes!

Reminds me of that anecdote about Helem Mirren who was doing the promo for some film or other and her personal assistant had been struck down with illness. So the PR company threw in some young fella who had the job of getting Helen round the various appointments and dealing with all her sh*t, whilst making sure she looked fabulous all the way throughout which she barely spoke a word to him. At the end of the day they were in the car dropping her off and he said "well, Helen, I have to say you've been a trooper, thanks so much" to which she replied
"It's Dame Helen..."

[max]

Ah thanks. I think that was in the deep recesses of my brain re Gumbie Cat. Let the memory live again, eh?

Jul 20, 2016 9:15:24 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Jul 20, 2016 8:52:53 GMT max said:

Agreed ali973. Though there's one thing I've always wondered about that may make it a big 'thing' in the history of the show...

Presumably Judi Dench danced the opening, and that was the cause of her tendon snap, or whatever it was. That ushered in Elaine Paige and a treatment of Grizabella's song that made it chart material.

I also wonder what it was Judi Dench signed up to be in. Since Elaine Paige sang both a Tim Rice lyric and Trevor Nunn's version for the tune of Memory (during previews) there wasn't much of a definite part on paper. Weird.

Originally she was going to play both Jennyanydots and Grizabella. The Jennyanydots number was the reasin her tendon snapped. Looking back now though, it would mean that she would have just the Tuggar number to change into Grizabella, so presumably the makeup and costume may of been different.

[raiseitup]

Piece on the lovers and the haters of Cats in the NY Times

www.nytimes.com/2016/07/24/theater/just-say-cats-and-watch-the-fur-fly.html

[crabtree]

I would hope that Helen Mirren story is just a story. I was an extra in the first Prime Suspect, and as we were filming as policemen late at night on a cold drenched golf course, Ms Mirren summoned the first AD and firmly asked to make sure that us extras had a cup of tea and some shelter. I have always wanted the chance to thank her. Very gracious, and not something she needed to have worried about.

[showtoones]

Is the rapping Tugger out of the current Broadway version? I thought the rapping was pants

Lol

[BurlyBeaR]

Jul 23, 2016 13:07:57 GMT crabtree said:

I would hope that Helen Mirren story is just a story. I was an extra in the first Prime Suspect, and as we were filming as policemen late at night on a cold drenched golf course, Ms Mirren summoned the first AD and firmly asked to make sure that us extras had a cup of tea and some shelter. I have always wanted the chance to thank her. Very gracious, and not something she needed to have worried about.

Oh I'm sure it is just a story. 

But out of course the first Prime Suspect was rather a long time ago, and before the Damehood. Not to mention the L'Oreal contract and that infamous episode when she ran out of the Gielgud to shut those drummers up...   

[ali973]

Jul 23, 2016 17:17:21 GMT showtoones said:

Is the rapping Tugger out of the current Broadway version? I thought the rapping was pants

Lol

Yes. 

[crabtree]

Ms Mirren seems a perfectly professional lady, and fun and a little naughty. And a darn fine actress.
Cats - eh, hate the idea of the rap, and I did love the quasi mini opera in act two.

[ali973]

The quasi mini-opera (and just about that entire Gus part) is when I catch up on my sleep and wake up in time for Macavity.