Cats (musical)

Cats (musical)
source
Name	Cats
Music	Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics	T.S. Eliot
Basis	Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Awards	Laurence Olivier Award, Tony Award

Cats (musical) is a renowned musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The musical features lyrics by T.S. Eliot and has been performed in numerous theaters, including the West End's New London Theatre and Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre, with productions directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. The musical has been associated with notable performers, such as Elaine Paige, Ken Page, and Betty Buckley, and has won several awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award.

Background and conception

The idea for Cats (musical) was conceived by Andrew Lloyd Webber after he read T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, which was illustrated by Edward Gorey and published by Faber and Faber. Lloyd Webber was inspired by the poems and decided to create a musical based on them, with the help of Trevor Nunn and Gillian Lynne, who had previously worked on Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. The musical was developed in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, a renowned West End producer, and The Really Useful Group, a production company founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The creative team also included John Napier, a set designer who had worked on Peter Shaffer's Amadeus, and David Cullen, a orchestrator who had worked on Jesus Christ Superstar.

Music and lyrics

The music for Cats (musical) was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by T.S. Eliot. The score features a range of musical styles, from jazz and rock to classical and pop, and includes notable songs, such as Memory, Jellicle Cats, and Mr. Mistoffelees. The musical also features a unique chorus and orchestra arrangement, with a focus on percussion and electronic music, which was influenced by the work of Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez. The music has been performed by numerous orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, and has been recorded by Polydor Records and Decca Records.

Plot and characters

The plot of Cats (musical) revolves around a tribe of Jellicle cats, who gather once a year to decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn. The characters include Mr. Mistoffelees, a magical cat with a talent for magic and acrobatics, Grizabella, a former glamour cat who has lost her sparkle, and Rum Tum Tugger, a rock star cat with a passion for music and dance. The musical also features a range of other characters, including Skimbleshanks, a railway cat with a talent for singing and dancing, and Demeter, a mother cat with a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness. The characters were developed in collaboration with T.S. Eliot's estate and Faber and Faber, and have been portrayed by numerous actors, including Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Patrick Stewart.

Production history

Cats (musical) premiered in the West End at the New London Theatre in 1981, directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. The musical was a critical and commercial success, and ran for 21 years, with over 9,000 performances. The musical also opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1982, and ran for 18 years, with over 7,000 performances. The musical has been produced in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, and Japan, and has been translated into several languages, including French, German, and Spanish. The musical has been performed by numerous companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, and has been directed by notable directors, such as Peter Hall and Trevor Nunn.

Musical numbers

The musical features a range of notable songs, including Memory, Jellicle Cats, and Mr. Mistoffelees. Other notable songs include The Naming of Cats, The Old Gumbie Cat, and Demeter's Song. The musical also features a range of chorus and ensemble numbers, including The Jellicle Cats and The Ad-dressing of Cats. The music has been recorded by numerous artists, including Elaine Paige, Ken Page, and Betty Buckley, and has been released by Polydor Records and Decca Records.

Impact and legacy

Cats (musical) has had a significant impact on the world of musical theatre, and has been credited with helping to establish the megamusical genre. The musical has been seen by over 100 million people worldwide, and has grossed over $1 billion in ticket sales. The musical has also been adapted into a film, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, and Taylor Swift. The musical has won numerous awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award, and has been recognized by the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards. The musical has also been referenced in numerous other works, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Saturday Night Live, and has been parodied by comedians, such as Monty Python and The Muppet Show. Category:Musicals