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Health & Fitness

REVIEW: Cats: What a terrific show!

It's the cat's meow

of good entertainment 

 

BY ED COLLINS

Review Contributor

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After a ten year absence, “Cats” the musical returned to the Marriott Lincolnshire Theater Wednesday night with a young cast that was  full of energy, charm and talent. It’s the cat's meow for a great evening of family entertainment.

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The cast was singing, dancing, doing gymnastic flips, climbing stage ladders and swinging on the high stage rigging, slithering over the stage in their fantastic cat costumes, and wagging their long tails as only these vivacious felines can do. The exhilarated opening night audience sopped it all up and at the end gave the exhausted performers a standing rhythmic ovation.

 

This is a large cast, probably 30 involved, with another ten as understudies. They are young, exceptionally talented, and highly motivated in providing a wonderful and pleasing performance. You could just feel the aura of creativity pour from them out into the audience.

 

It’s difficult for me to single out any steller cast stars. It’s not like a traditional play where there are the big stars and the little stars. They were all very good. The singers, dancers and gymnasts in particular were terrific. Since I love watching tap dancing, I have a soft spot in my heart for the tappers. What rhythm and vitality they provide as they hit the hardwood with those steel shoe taps. Wish I still had some of that “gas” or whatever, in my aging tank,,

 

Patti Garwood and her orchestra did their usual great job in interpreting Webber’s music. Some nice jazz riffs, mixed with some rock beats, kept my toes tapping. The ensemble’s tap dance number in the First Act was just fantastic. That's real show biz folks! 

  

Heidi Kettenring, who played the grizzly/old cat Grizabella was in fine soprano voice when singing “Memory.” Matthew Jones, playing Old Deuteronomy, also displayed a nice baritone. Both are Marriott veterans, with Heidi appearing in more than 20 Marriott shows over the years. Congrats, Heidi.

 

T.S. Eliot’s delightful poems from his “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats “ served as the main course, while Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lovely musical score (who can forget “Memory”) was the sweet dessert.

 

Diane Hindan and her Costume Shop stitches, knitters, specialty painters, and wig makers also deserve praise for coming up with the creative cat costumes. Very nice job on a challenging assignment.

Often press critics don't provide enough credit to the behind-the-scenes creative team of Executive Producer Terry James, Lead Artistic Director Andy Hite, Artistic Director Aaron Thielen, Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, and so many others for bringing and producing these shows to us. But without them we wouldn't have them. Cat's will play until June 3 when “Godspell” begins on June 4. So, don't miss this show, get your tickets now.

Often press critics don't provide enough credit to the behind-the-scenes creative team of Executive Producer Terry James, Lead Artistic Director Andy Hite, Artistic Director Aaron Thielen, Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, and so many others for bringing and producing these shows to us. But without them we wouldn't have them. Cat's will play until June 3 when “Godspell” begins on June 4. So, don't miss this show, get your tickets now.

 

These imaginative show producers and musicians consistently come up with winner after winner at the Marriott and we are so fortunate to have them make the Marriott Lincolnshire their home. If you don’t have season tickets you should. The wife and I do, and you should too. The experience and quality are worth it!

Often press critics don't provide enough credit to the behind-the-scenes creative team of Executive Producer Terry James, Lead Artistic Director Andy Hite, Artistic Director Aaron Thielen, Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, and so many others for bringing and producing these shows to us.

 But without them we wouldn't have them. Cat's will play until June 3 when “Godspell” begins on June 4. So, don't miss Cat's, get your tickets now.

 

 

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