From Deseret News archives:
'Cats' purr-formance truly fine
IVINS With a solid cast of gifted singers and gracefully agile dancers, this outdoor production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats" is well worth the drive to the southwestern corner of Utah.
Derryl Yeager, who directed and choreographed, puts his own touch on the legendary Broadway and London hit. He performed in "Cats" nearly 20 years ago and brings a unique perspective to the table.
There's not a lot of plot (for that, head 45 miles north to the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City), but there are fascinating vignettes drawn from T.S. Eliot's whimsical collection of poems.
Twenty-nine cats playfully pounce and preen in a British junkyard for their annual "Jellicle Ball," a night when one feline will be selected to ascend into the "heavyside layer," a sort of rejuvenating cat heaven.
"Cats" is a huge ensemble piece, but many actors get the spotlight on their individual purr-sonalities.
Knockout performances come from guest artists Jay Pierce as Old Deuteronomy, Scottish lass Margaret Kelly as Grizabella, John Boy as Rum Tum Tugger and Rochone Anderson as the mystical Mr. Mistoffelees.
Kelly plays the grizzled Grizabella to perfection, vocally caressing the show's signature tune, "Memory."
John Boy (no, he's not from "The Waltons") takes command of the stage in his swaggering, Presley-esque role. He also prowls back and forth on what else? a catwalk.
Anderson doesn't really get to shine until well into the second act but wows the audience with his athletically adventurous dancing.
Some local favorites are also featured, notably Nathan and Suzie Balser as Munkustrap and Demeter, and Aaron De Jesus in two roles. Suzie is especially good along with Kelly Kohnert (Bombalurina) in the jazzy "Macavity" segment.
De Jesus, familiar to many for his Wasatch Front performances, is cast completely against type and that's not a bad thing. Earlier this summer he showed his agility as high-flying Peter Pan. In "Cats" he has two different, well-drawn roles as supersize Bustopher Jones, the dapper cat-around-town, and as aging, palsy-inflicted Gus, the "theater cat."
Trimmed slightly to make the running time more family friendly, this "Cats" spread out over Tuacahn's vast stage makes for great fall entertainment.
Brent Hanson's scenery (the giant balls of yarn are a hoot), associate costumer Cheryl Yeager's adaptations of the rented costumes (and sensational wigs), Jesse Factor's makeup design, Gayle Lockwood's pretaped orchestrations, Joseph L. Eddy's lighting and Bart Schaerrer's sound are all first-rate.
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com
Comments
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 1:19 a.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 1:04 a.m.
- 2 families divided over slaying 1:04 a.m.
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper 1:03 a.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 1:03 a.m.
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
379 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
370 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
316 - Utes won't respond to Hall
257 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
110
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the holiday retail season...
When "Dancing With The Stars" began more than two months ago, 16 couples...
Comedian Brian Regan, who is scheduled to perform at Abravanel Hall on...
There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.
Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...
Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...
The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...
TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...
could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...
Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...
I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...
quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.
I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...



You can be the first to comment on this story.