CAST:
ALONZO
ASPARAGUS
BOMBALURINA
BUSTOPHER JONES
CASSANDRA
DEMETER
GENGHIS
GRIDDLEBONE
GRIZABELLA
GROWLTIGER
JELLYLORUM
JENNYANYDOTS
MACAVITY
MISTOFFELEES
MUNGOJERRIE
MUNKUSTRAP
OLD DEUTERONOMY
PLATO
POUNCIVAL
RUMPELTEAZER
RUM TUM TUGGER
SILLABUB
SKIMBLESHANKS
TUMBLEBRUTUS
VICTORIA
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NAME (UNDERSTUDY PLAYING ROLE)
Luke McCollum
Christopher E. Sidoli -- Rodrigo Ignacio Cruz (Sunday 22)
Delani Andrzejewski
Christopher E. Sidoli
Casey Hill - Last performance.
Amanda Bay
Mark Donaldson
Anissa Hartline
Angie Smith
Christopher E. Sidoli
Anissa Hartline
Cara Michelle Fish Julie Lancione (Sunday 22)
Ryan Richardson / AJ Wilson (Saturday 21)
Ryan Patrick Farrell
Mark Donaldson
Ian Laskowski
Philip Peterson
Ryan Richardson / AJ Wilson (Saturday 21)
Trevor Downey
Joanna Silvers
Dave Schoonover
Samantha Shafer
Felix Hess
Brandon Tyler
Molly Winter Stewart (Saturday 21) / Samantha Strum (Sunday 22)
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NOTE: Ryan Richardson played the part of "Spike" on Friday and Sunday nights instead of "Plato"
My pardon to any cast member not listed
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CATS TOUR V - 25th Anniversary Tour
April 20, 21 & 22, Sacramento CA - Sacramento Community Center
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evening Performances
Tour Review
By Dennis C. Callin (Rumblepurr)
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Once more, I am basically going to give overall comments, and not specifics. If I saw something or liked something, I can remember the happenstance, but 'where’ I saw/heard/liked something -- that is another story… Secondly, I saw three performances, and so the timetables run together. I may have one note from Friday, another from Saturday and a third from Sunday…
My sincere thanks go to Edwin (Pounce) and Alex (*asterix*) for aiding me to truly enjoy this weekend… Even the Saturday rain did not dampen my spirits (And yes, the pun was intended…)
To begin, the cast is excellent with strong voices and good interaction between characters. Number One on the list, the Silver Tabby (Ian Laskowski) is a handsome Munkustrap with a strong and pleasant baritone voice, and he has the proud stage presence needed to be the Leader. I was pleased to see that he interacted well with Cassandra (Casey Hill) -- in fact -- very well on Saturday. Tugger is not the only one who can dip a lady… I hope he remembers the picture I asked for…
We were not sure if we had the same Victoria for the Invitation Dance all three nights. I did get to talk to Samantha Sturm before Sunday night -- which is a rarity for me. Usually, I cannot meet Victoria to save me… (Demeter is about the same…) I told her that her moves make me 'hurt’ and her reply was that it did her too… A very lovely lady who added that quality to the White Queen… I noticed that in this show, Victoria and Misto do not mingle too much, and I forgot to ask why.
Cara Fish (Jennyanydots) was a series of chuckles from the time she rolled out of the oven to getting buried under her costume. I keep wondering how many times Munkustrap has been wiped out by her move between his feet, though… Of course, she does the high “C” in Jellicle Songs as well.
When Dave Schoonover comes onstage as Rum Tum Tugger, you cannot miss him -- and being about six feet tall confirms that. As Tugger, he gives us a macho rock star with shades of Elvis. Regardless that his character is comical, Dave also projects a Tugger who is confident with his abilities. During his number, he was able to get into the audience for a small dance with a lady of his choice. On Sunday night, he barely got back into the lineup in time to continue the dance. My favorite moments with Tugger were the “Scream” and his Second Act entrance. When Rumpelteazer screams at the end of his number, he abruptly cuts her off with a pointing gesture. In the Second Act, he comes on in a hurry and stands there with a “Hey, I’m back!” look. Sulks when no one notices.
Grizabella… Angie Smith has a beautiful controlled voice that is basically sad, but capable of a subtle angered bitterness during her confrontations with the others. Her “Memory” solos were outstanding. Although augmented with the sound system echo, her Second Act closer was exceptional. Her use of dynamics by starting soft and building in the stanzas made her super forte “Touch Me!” very moving. Her voice probably did not require the microphone…
Christopher E. Sidoli played the versatile Asparagus for the first two nights, and had to drop Sunday because he was starting to get a cold. Rodrigo Cruz (swing) took over on Sunday. Although 'Gus’ is more a background cat, any actor who earns this part has to be good because of the different roles he plays -- Bustopher Jones, Gus the Theatre Cat and Growltiger. My only regret is that I was nowhere near the “man over there” spot -- being encamped on House Left the entire run. Both actors seemed to enjoy the roles they played. During the early First Act, I remember glancing to upstage right, and saw him conducting… All three major roles of this part are comedy acts, but I enjoyed the Gus routine the most. I think having Gus sitting in center stage helps the audience zero in on his facial gestures while Jellylorum is singing the story. The 'blood-curdling’ noise was the best of them all.
Mark Donaldson and Joanna Silvers (Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer) did not let the audience wait for their signature song to denote their characters. From their first entry on stage to the finale, these two were constantly thinking up trouble. The Tiger Twins were definitely well matched as mischief-makers. The double cartwheel was nice and clean, although I was afraid on Saturday night, I believe, when it looked like they might roll into the stage right wall…
Old Deuteronomy… Richard Peterson is a Patriarch to be reckoned with -- both on and off stage. We were very fortunate to meet him anytime we went to the stage door. On stage, he has a powerful tenor voice that has control. On Friday night, during intermission, he saw a little girl at the edge of the stage, and he actually came down from the tire to almost touching distance. Apparently, he was motioned not to touch, so he had to go back, but he did have the audience on his side. After the show, he explained to the little girl and the parents the reason why he had to stop. During the “Moments of Happiness”, I noticed that he used dynamics to emphasize the harsh tones that “hurt everyone’s ears. On Sunday, he was hit with a performer’s nightmare… Just before he began “Ad-dressing of Cats”, his microphone cut out. He started the song without it, noted it before he got to the second line, and then went to his back -- vocal projection. Richard has a very fine projection… He is quite capable of hitting the “Bb" made famous by Ken Page… At the stage door, you could not ask for a friendlier soul. The only thing I forget to ask him about was why he did not use more hand gestures…
A side note on MOH -- This was the first time I noted a character that gave me a clue about part of this song. When the characters stand and look up, looking to experience what Old Deuteronomy had just mentioned, I noticed that Munkustrap (Ian Laskowski) went from a smile to a puzzled frown -- it was if he felt the happiness initially, and then lost it…
“Gus the Theatre Cat” had a wonderful Jellylorum to augment Gus. Anissa Hartline told me that Jellylorum believes that Gus would tell his own story, and then has to start it herself when he does not. Therefore, she starts out hesitant and gets more confident as she goes. Her Griddlebone was very good during Growltiger -- her comedy routines had to be good to put up with Growlie’s upstaging. The “Italian Gesture” after Growlie stops her tail was unexpected and I found it very amusing. Anissa has a very lovely soprano that does not overpower…
Skimbleshanks… Although I have not mentioned this character until now, Felix Hess was a very visible and very comical part of the action all through the show. He is very bouncy, and always seeming to micro-manage just about everything going on. He is a definite change from the stern uncle figure I have seen mostly in other productions. His number seemed a bit fast, but this might have been a ploy to counter the end of Growltiger. I loved his reaction to the destruction of the train -- a “no, nono, nonono… no…” look. Offstage, he is very happy to explain things and is very approachable.
The “Macavity” number is both my favorite number and a point of contention with me. I really do not have anything against Alonzo, who was very well-played by Luke McCollum. The Shadow Dance is a distraction for me because I would rather concentrate on Demeter. Amanda Bay played Demeter all three nights and she comes off as a stronger Queen than I have seen in other productions. She is not as skittish, but rather she is troubled and indecisive instead. Her voice is stronger as well. Her part in sensing Old Deuteronomy’s approach gives her the premonition gift I like her to have, so her sensing of Macavity is just as believable. Her partner and friend, Bombalurina (Delaine Andrzejewski), is still very protective. Her personality is still strong, confident and flirtatious, but more like a soft velvet glove over a steel fist. Her interaction with Grizabella is more “Yeah, you’re harmless… now get lost…” Always did like the Scarlet Queen…
The fight scene still bothers me a bit because I tend to favor the UK version. However, Ryan Richardson’s Macavity definitely has the moves to take out Munkustrap and Alonzo. Again, I have noted that anytime Munkustrap attempts to confront Macavity, he seems to run into a painful barrier. I meant to ask about that… At the beginning of the dance, where Macavity grabs Demeter and starts to steal her away, I did notice that Munkustrap and Alonzo almost got there at the same time -- it looked a bit awkward. But, toward the end of the fight, Munkustrap and Alonzo get belted very authoritatively. Another point that both amuses me and gets to me is that after Maccie shorts out the lights, and the lantern is shown around, “Macavity’s not there…” always gets a few people laughing…
Mister Mistoffelees featured the Conjuring Cat entering in a shower of shiny confetti and blue light -- not the line from the fly. He also does not wear a coat that lights up but rather has beads on the costume that reflects the lights. Ryan Farrell managed to get in over 20 Conjuring Turns each night. During the show, he played an amused older kitten that always seemed to be keeping a secret. I liked the look of surprise Ryan got when he danced across the front of the stage with the open hand gesture, and the party lights blinked. And then repeats it while Tugger is telling Old Deuteronomy about what happened.
The Heavyside Layer was very nicely choreographed and timed, I thought. Old Deuteronomy readies the tire, and then he and Grizabella get on. The music builds; the tire rises and moves forward. The saucer comes down and settles on the edge of the tire. Old D helps Griz into the saucer, and she is taken up into the fly. Her reaching up into a golden light just adds to the beauty of that scene.
Some of you are now wondering about me… I have been a Cassandra fan ever since I saw the UK tour four years ago. This particular Queen is indeed royal and will always go anywhere at her own pace… Some people call her a Siamese, while others call her a Burmese. Casey Hill said she was an Abyssinian… so there… Casey played her very aloof, and only tolerated a few of the characters. All others? Look out. She shows a feisty attitude if anyone touches her without her permission, but favors Munkustrap and Mistoffelees. But, Sunday night was her last night playing Cassie…
I discovered that such a night has a certain amount of honor for the departing cast member. And, a few things happen you might not see otherwise. During the part of the Jellicle Ball, where the “girls” are getting ready to line up behind the Toms, I saw Casey go up to Samantha Sturm (Victoria), slap her on the backside, and say, “let’s go, girlfriend.” When the selection of Misto’s assistant was to take place, several of the Queen characters copied one of Cassandra’s gestures -- namely, the two hands placed palm-to-palm over the head. Finally, during the bows, Cassandra was the last to come on. She entered and did three relative shaky cartwheels (I think as a spoof of the video) and then the cast had her go out through the oven…
I met her replacement after the show. When I asked what part she played, she said she was in training as Cassandra. When I see the show in May, I will hopefully see Kristyn Jentzie as Cassie…
If the group I was in got a little bit of attention, I would have to say that both Alex (*Asterix*) and Edwin (PouncED) helped by being in costume, and Christine (VTWC) had her illustrated autograph book, which impressed several cast members. Although some of the cast and crew appeared to be a bit affronted by having fans in costume (and they did tell people that they were not part of the cast…), more were impressed and came over to us. Those who did were very friendly, and enjoyed being praised for all the work they did as performers. I look forward to the show coming to Cerritos because of this cast, and because the venue is in Southern California rather than Central…
My thanks again to Edwin and Alex for being my host and hostess while I stayed in Sacramento. We also thank the Company Manager for the backstage tour and all the information he provided concerning the production.
I give the show a definite “Dewclaw Up”.
Respectfully submitted,
Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat
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