Cats Reviews

CarolV from Denver, Colorado

DOWNHILL SLOPE WITH CASTING

I've seen Cats 4 time now in 3 different locations. I just saw the May 24th 2022 performance at the Buell. While many of the newly casted main characters were still AMAZING, including Bombalurina, Demeter, Mistoffelees, Munkustrap, Deuteronomy, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteaser, and Macavity, we were truly disappointed in our favorites: Rum Tum Tugger, Grizabella, and JEMIMA. We were quite stunned, actually. The new Tugger (who was supposed to be Zach Bravo, and we were looking forward to that only to be disappointed) is supposed to be to be an overly-animated, persnickety feral tomcat who naturally loves the attention of the female cats, and this actor's performance fell flat. The pure, funny, testosterone-laden personality of the classic tomcat that he is supposed to be was lost in this actor's performance. Grizabella, while vocally superb, lacked the necessary raw emotion of actors past - that was a disappointing stunner for us as well. Another HUGE disappointment was the casting of Jemima. A young innocent cat, her voice has always been clear, true, and angelic - so clear in fact that it cut like a knife, bringing tears to one's eyes. Not this time around. The current actor's voice, while the same necessary high register, was unpleasantly nasal. It really ruined that pivotal part for us. While some may not agree, the integrity of the original production has been compromised to us. Overall, we still enjoyed the performance because we so love this show. But we were sad at the new cast choices that diminished our experience.

CarolV from Denver, Colorado

AN ADDITION TO THE NAYSAYERS BELOW

While I did not prefer some of the principals in the cast this time around, those who point out below that they did not like the show because they didn't understand what was going on with the plot, consider this: perhaps they should read up on any musical or opera before they attend a show so they may then enjoy and understand the show. The plot of this production was absolutely on par and well done. There are just some casting inadequacies now, as I mention in my earlier review.

Lucy from San Diego, California

FIRST TIME SEEING CATS

I went to the San Diego Civic Theater last night hoping for an amazing performance. This was my first time and I hadn’t read up prior to the performance what it was about. First, there was no orchestra in the pit. Second, after straining to find microphones on the singers/dancers through my binoculars, I realized there were none. THIS PERFORMANCE WAS COMPLETELY PRERECORDED! Now I understood why the tickets were so cheap. What a disappointment. But I readjusted my viewing lens to taking it in as presented and wound up enjoying it a lot. The music, singing, dancing and choreography were excellent. The program that was given out at the door had no information about what Cats was about. No information about it being entirely prerecorded. But it had pages and pages of droll bio information of everyone connected to the production. When will San Diego become worthy of top flight productions? It’s a long trek to LA.

Ed from Seattle, Washington

COUNT ME AS ONE OF THOSE...

I just don’t get it. I wanted to, but it’s really disjointed and boring, and the cast mostly seemed to be going through the motions. It’s basicaly a couple of hours of “why I hate cats.” There were a couple of decent performers, but I think the rest of the cast is hamstrung with lousy material. I also noticed a lack of standing ovation from most of the audience, which is a rarity at the Paramount. And when will STG address the lousy sound system once and for all? For those of us in the cheap seats, it’s really hard to understand the performers. On the rare occasion something tickled the funnybone tonight, I couldn’t help but notice the majority of laughs came from the the floor, indicating I wasn’t the only one struggling to hear. This is an ongoing issue, and we are seriously considering not renewing next season because of it

Anonymous from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

THE MUSICAL WITH NO PLOT, THEME, OR DIRECTION

I thought it was me, but others have said the same. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. The play needs dialogue to move the story. It looked schizophrenic. Jumping here to there, up, down, frantic. It was beautifully decorated with the costumes and the setting, but a story was missing. I should not pay, then have to Google the musicaltp find out what was going on.

Kristin from Chicago, Illinois

LESS THAN SATISFIED

I felt that the dancing was completely off. My children who are both dancers kept on telling me how their timing was off. Legs weren't straight on Grands and many weren't getting into character. They went as far to say that they need to work on their technique and practice more times a week. Singing was good. I am wondering if it was a new cast who just didn't understand or become comfortable with their roles. Also, you couldn't understand the words they were saying. The show needs a lot more work. Nothing like the ones in the past.

D G Hodgin from Charlotte, North Carolina

CATS

Would NOT recommend this anymore, unlike I have for 20 years after seeing it on Broadway. The "high tech" ridiculously LOUD pre recorded excuse for music ( that now cheaply replaces the actual real orchestra that we expect with a "Broadway play") not only completely overwhelmed /drowned out the players, but made it impossible to hear actual "words OR lines" in speech or song! (although the players did indeed sing and dance their hearts out superbly!!) Unfortunately, they didn't stand a chance against the "crude ear splitting CHEAP loudness" which now COMPLETELY replaces the magic and rich intimacy that initially made this production so infamous. SAVE your money as you are NOT seeing a real "Broadway" play, but a pathetically cheap imitation, and good luck knowing what's going on. .

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