The longest-running musical in Broadway history, "Cats," will be performed for local audiences, for the first time ever, by the Alliance Theatre.
Showtimes are July 27-28 and Aug. 2, 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees, July 29 and Aug. 5 at 2 p.m., in Chantilly High's theater. Tickets range from $8-$14; call 703-834-0200 or order at thealliancetheatre.org.
Winner of seven Tony awards, including best musical — and known for the song, "Memory" — "Cats" is based on a book of T.S. Eliot poems brought to life by famed playwright Andrew Lloyd Webber.
"IT'S A VISUAL spectacle because of the dancing and large, production numbers, and Webber's music is amazing, so it's really an experience for the eyes and ears," said Jim Mitchell, who portrays the cat, Bustopher Jones. "It ran 16 or 18 years on Broadway — over 7,400 performances."
Alliance will also be accepting donations for longtime cast-member and Centre Ridge Elementary teacher Kathy Young, whose daughter, Ashley Mauter, was severely burned in a fire at college in March.
The show features 53 children and 36 adults (high-school sophomores and older) in the cast, but 150 people are involved in bringing it to the stage. "I have a marvelous staff of choreographers and musical directors," said Director and Producer Elaine Wilson. "Kevin Robertson is teaching stage combat and Anne Vandenberg is making many of the costumes."
"We have some amazing singers and dancers," continued Wilson. "Cheryl Price is the music director and Mike Fuchs, vocal coach; and [Chantilly High Theater Director] Ed Monk and his technical crew built the set."
Wilson said "Cats" appeals to all ages on many levels and is "a spectacular production with lots of technical effects. This show allows the actors to be creative with their roles."
"Cathy Arnold as Grizabella is phenomenal," added cast member Roy Leatherby. "When she sang 'Memory' for us, we all had chills from head to toe."