Chicago Critic

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Based on the “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliott

Directed and Choreographed by Richard Stafford

Produced by Broadway in Chicago

At the Cadillac Palace Theatre

Cats still loads of fun!

You’d think a show that has been touring for almost two decades would finally run out of steam but Cat’s-Eye LLC has kept Cats fresh by constantly using new blooming  talent with tight quality control. The result makes for a high energy show with thrilling dancing and expert singing.

Cats is a modern pop-ballet or dance show–not a full book musical. It is a thrilling costume and lighting show with a pastiche of dance styles and a fine variety of musics ranging from music hall vaudeville, to English folk, to jazz, Broadway tap, to stirring  anthems,  and haunting ballads.  Lloyd Webber’s score is his finest with a blend of melodies and rich harmonies that just beg to be danced.

Cats is sharp, tightly produced featuring exceptional voices from the deft dancers. It has a vibrant energy that wins us. Cats is a terrific show to take children to experience the wonders of the Broadway musical. I musts confess that Cats is one of my favorite dance shows. Forget the book–Cats is a song & dance show–period! And it does that quite well. Cats will only be here for 5 more performances. It is worth seeing.

Recommended

Tom Williams

Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast

Date Reviewed: October 14, 2009

At the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL, call intermission, through Oct 18, 2009 312-902-1400, tickets $20 -$80, Thursday, Oct 15 at 7:30, Friday, Oct 16 at 8 pm, Saturday, Oct 17 at 2 & 8 pm, Sunday, Oct 18 at 2 pm, running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission.

This review also posted on http://mytheaterclub.com/articles.php