Because, in the words of FRANK RICH, (can you believe?):
"It believes in the magic of theatre and in that, it unquestionably delivers."
I love "Cats"! For all its flaws, it has magic. It has whimsy. It has absolutely stunning choreography.
One good tune? That's a personal opinion... "Memory"is all right... but there's something from every genre, and the songs are unique to each cat.
The melody to which is set on of Eliot's darkest and grimmest cat poems (left unpublished for obvious reasons: it was FAR too dark for a children's poetry book), "You See the border of her coat is torn and stained with sand" still gives me chills. It's plaintive and slightly dissonant... yet achingly gorgeous.
Also noteworthy in the score is the variation of "Memory" that plays in the English Horn as Grizabella limps across the stage before the end of act one is beautiful, too.
Each cat is a representative of some type of person we can all identify with. These poems are not just silly...Eliot was making commentary. Lighthearted, yes, but insightful nonetheless...
And the miniscule plot is, of course, silly...but it, too, speaks of the importance of forgiveness, the healing power of touch and community...
I directed "Cats" at the first high school I taught at in my final year before moving to a new city... it was a beautiful experience, and I look on it fondly. The kids adored the show, and we produced a unique and intriguing vision...no carbon copy of the video. It was rewarding and it opened my eyes to the fact that not every show has to be mind-bogglingly brilliant to appeal and to teach.
The show is flawed-- too repetitive, not enough variation in time signature... drags a bit too long... "Pekes and Pollicles" is ridiculous...but every time I hear the clarinets play those little "bum-bum-bah-dah" phrases, I smile... That is exactly the music my cat hears in her head at 3 a.m. when she suddenly leaps around the house like a maniac, for sure.
So... I think "Cats" appealed for a lot of reasons. Is it the best thing ever? No... but it's a far cry from the worst, too.
I mean... "Wicked"? Come on!!! ;)
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