THE JELLICLE CHRONICLES - A LETTER

AN INSPIRATORY LETTER

CATS - US Tour V

By Dennis C. Callin (Rumblepurr)

COMMENTARY

      During the run at the Pantages in Hollywood, CA (March 9-21, 2010), I was able to converse with one member of the CATS cast. Jason Wise is the Tour's Tumblebrutus, and he was very helpful in helping out VTWC (Christine) and me with our plans. Although I did not get a chance to personally meet him, he did talk with Christine when the Tour moved up to Portland, OR. As part of a wonderful present to her, Jason presented her with a signed poster and a letter...
      After she sent me a copy of this letter, I contacted Jason and asked if I could publish this letter on my site. When he said yes, I prepared this small page for a reason. What Jason put down should be put on the bulletin board as a goal for anyone in any subject. If you could, read the letter and think... Do you or anyone you know think along these lines? You do not need to be an aspiring dancer/performer on Broadway - just being someone with a goal in mind, and looking to bring it to fruition... If Jason can do it... you can... It is just a matter to wanting it badly enough to go for it and win it...
      And so, I present to you: Jason Wise...
      When I was 10 years old, the National Tour of CATS came to my hometown. I saw a commercial on TV and begged my Mom to take me. We didn't have much money, so we sat in the last row of the top balcony. After the show, my mother and I were eating dinner at a diner across the street from the stagedoor. I saw a man smoking outside with a CATS T-shirt on and I dragged my Mom mid-meal to meet him. When we crossed the street I told him how much I love the show and that I wanted to do this for a living when I grow up. He went inside and came back out after with a poster signed by the company. He told me to hang it up on my wall and when I look at it to remember that dreams can come true. 10 years later, I booked the National Tour of CATS. I had my cast sign a poster and it it is now hanging up next to the one I got 10 years ago in my parents house upstate. To this day, after my tumbling pass in my bow, I look up to that last row of the balcony and wonder what little boy is sitting up there and watching. It is truly fans like you who keep this show alive, and I can not thank you enough for being and remaining such an integral part of the CATS family. Your support and everlasting friendship means the world to me, and I do this show and dedicate this tonight's performance to you. I hope that you never lose sight of the impact fans like you have on us, and please always remember that for most of us; excitement and love from people like you keeps our cars running on a full tank of gas.

Jason Wise
"Tumblebrutus"
2009-2010
Troika US Tour V

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