Whether you love Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats" or loathe it, CenterPoint Theatre's production of "Cats" leaves quite the impression with a bold take made to ensure you won't ever forget it! This production proves that feline frenzy is alive and well and is guaranteed to leave you in absolute awe. With every element being in tune nearly perfectly, I'm glad I was able to witness every moment of this stunning production.
When it comes to the talent of the cast I saw (TThS), there is no other way to explain it other than fantastic. Each performer onstage was a true triple threat! Lucy Ogzewalla played Demeter as a sleek yet emotionally fragile cat. Her duet with Bombalurina (Kaylee Wheeler) in "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" was a perfect mix for the two characters showing the complicated mix of fear followed by strength in showing the cautious yet courageous character development we see throughout the show. Not to mention, Ogzewalla and Wheeler had spectacular voices that blended so wonderfully together and brought the perfect sense of tension to the show. Austin Payne (Old Deuteronomy) brought a commanding yet compassionate presence to the stage, followed by a voice that is not only rich, but also reassuring. Payne knew exactly how to draw in the cats onstage as well as pulling the audience in deeper and deeper as the the show went on. From the moment she walked onstage, Grizabella (Casey Matern) brought this beautifully haunted mix of sorrow and longing. Matern was able to bring so much raw emotion that made every note and every movement she made onstage so much more meaningful to the character. Her voice was absolutely effortless and had so much expression in it as well. Jellylorum (Maddie Cruz Curletto) was an absolute standout of the night. Not only did Curletto grace the stage with an immaculate presence, but she had this crystal clear soprano voice that just absolutely soared right into the audience! Each actor really stepped into their roles with so much commitment and were able to create a world vivid enough for the audience to feel it was impossible not to be drawn in!
What stood out to me a lot with the choreography by Jared Haddock and Nick Garner was the ability these two showed to not only create fantastic choreography, but to help the performers execute the choreography splendidly! Haddock and Garner created seamless choreography with a blend of grace and theatrical storytelling that also included tons of showcasing in the cast's impressive movement. Morgan Horsburgh, who played Victoria, was a standout in the cast for her graceful and technical precision with every dance. The way Horsburgh was able to move so expressively, it was as if her body spoke its own quiet poetry. Jake Heywood did a wonderful job at helping create a show that showcased the masterful voices of so many talented performers! Each harmony blended perfectly, and each solo showcased throughout the show was polished and brilliant. I can barely walk and sing at the same time, so I condone the cast for being able to belt high notes while nailing every kick, turn, and leap!
Every technical element of this show was unlike anything I could've ever imagined. From the moment I walked into the theatre and saw the set design (Josh Roberts), I knew this show was going to change lives! And from there, it only got better and better. As the cast came out at the top of the show, I couldn't help but gasp as I saw those glorious costumes! Each costume designed by Stephanie Coylar highlighted not only the characters, but the actors as well. There was not a single ill- fitted costume, and everyone looked amazing and confident in their costumes! A lot of the times with live theatre, we see LOTS of projections in place of sets, and it's rare that I see a good mix of the two. That's not the case with this production! The projections added the perfect touch to the show, and they weren't distracting at all, which I really liked. The lighting design by Collin Schimerer added a nice touch to each scene as well. There seemed to not be a single flaw in the light design, and I loved how each design really helped the flow from one scene to the next. The only tech element that seemed a little bit off was the sound. From where I was sitting, there were a few times that I couldn't hear the actors over the music. There also were a few moments that the body mics weren't working properly, but they were fairly quick to get those tiny issues worked out! Also, to my understanding, the stage they performed the show on is new, so I'm confident that with time, they'll be able to work out all those minor issues! With it being the first show performed on that stage, it overall was a wonderful show filled with lots of beautiful technical aspects!
If you're a a longtime fan of the musical "Cats" or new to the Jellicle- world, this production proves that when passion meets skill, the result is unforgettable. From the incredible cast to the dedicated production team, you're guaranteed a night of theatrical magic at CenterPoint. It's a night at the theatre that will leave you humming "Memory" long after the final bow.
Theatre matters, theatre is important, theatre is impactful.
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