Cats
at Tuscarora High School

Reviewed on May 3, 2015

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Loudoun

Everyone knows that a cat has nine lives. But each cat also has three names: one commonplace, one unique, and one that only the cat itself knows. There are also many, many more important Jellicle customs that transpire only by the light of the Jellicle moon. In a staggeringly acrobatic and unendingly entertaining production of "Cats," Tuscarora High School embodied the mysterious feline spirit.

"Cats," with music and lyrics by the prolific Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based off a series of poems by T.S. Eliot and originally opened in London in 1981 where it ran for twenty-one years. The same creative team brought the musical to Broadway as well in 1982. The musical takes the form of a vignette show, featuring the motley crew of Jellicle Cats attending an annual meeting where Old Deuteronomy, their leader, selects one special and worthy cat to ascend to the Heaviside layer.

At its heart, "Cats" is an ensemble show, and the large cast all poured their whole selves into their roles, each brimming with bubbling vitality and appropriately cat-like sassy attitudes. Carly Smith and Meghan Muldoon's intricate and challenging choreography was fulfilled admirably, particularly in the song "Skimbleshanks" where cooperation and cohesion was necessary as dancers collected various props to create a train on the stage. Harmonies were also always tight and precise, demonstrating the careful attention of student music directors Kyle Ebbets and Stephen Coakley.

Still, some performers managed to distinguish themselves above the rest. Rumpleteazer (Shannon Keye), part of a mischievous duo with Mungojerrie (Jamie Chica), was a delight with her ceaseless drive and commitment to the animalistic physicality as well as her perfect technique in her dances, complete with complicated lifts and flips. Rum Tum Tugger, played shamelessly by the aforementioned Stephen Coakley, was equally as energetic with a contrary personality that was hilarious. Jellylorum and Asparagus, played respectively by Sarah Katherine Lawless and Ryan Phillips, were nothing short of incredible in the song "Gus: The Theatre Cat." Lawless possessed a beautiful soaring voice and a commanding presence while Phillips embodied his old age flawlessly with shaking hands and a creaking voice that did not detract from his singing.

More central to the small amount of plot was Grizabella, played delicately by Elizabeth Getis. Her voice was clear and strong as she tackled one of the staple songs of musical theatre: "Memory." Old Deuteronomy, the leader of the Jellicles, was portrayed with a more confident presence by Evan Gardner whose voice was also impressive, deep and full.

The technical elements were just as captivating as the performers themselves. The astonishing hair and make-up were truly transformative. Meticulously painted faces and hand-made wigs crafted a unique look for each cat that matched their fitted costumes. The wigs were also very well secured, staying on through the leaps and twists of the choreography. The set, while stationary, was functional and multi-faceted with different levels and several hiding places for the cats to slink in and out. Finally, many props were cleverly constructed to be proportional to the size of a cat, such as a drinking straw being used as a cane and a giant shoe being thrown onto the stage.

Seemingly, cats are very much like you and me. All in all, with brilliant tech, dedicated actors, and complex choreography on top of difficult songs, Tuscarora High School's production of "Cats" was utterly un-fur-gettable.

Zoe Le Menestrel
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Loudoun

The Jellicle cats are out to play! Slinking around the discarded detritus of an isolated junkyard, countless furry felines meet for the eagerly anticipated "Jellicle Ball", where wise elder Old Deuteronomy will choose one lucky cat to be reborn into a new life in the "Heaviside Layer". Thus forms the plot of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's oddest musicals, aptly entitled "Cats". Tuscarora High School brought this eccentric piece to the stage in an enthralling afternoon of stunning dances and spectacular songs.

"Cats" was first premiered on the West End, and less than a year later, due to enormous commercial success, was duplicated on the Great White Way. This classic has drawn international fame for being the third longest running musical in Broadway history. "Cats" is based on the poems of T. S. Eliot's book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", which recounts tales that touch on feline psychology and sociology.

Tuscarora's show was a mesmerizing spectacle from start to finish. "Cats" is known for its demanding dance sequences and complex harmonies, but student choreographers Carly Smith and Meghan Muldoon and student music directors Stephen Coakley and Kyle Ebbets proved they were more than up to the challenge. Training dozens of High Schoolers of different abilities and experiences in material Broadway professionals struggle with is no easy feat, but these four individuals crafted a production that paid true homage to Eliot's whimsical words.

Though the entire cast of cats is to be commended for their top-notch commitment to feline mannerisms and movement patterns, several actors were especially notable for their dedication to character. Evan Gardner, as revered oldster Old Deuteronomy, was one such stand out. Gardner's slow, dignified gait, kind gestures, and rich, deep baritone established him as a benevolent, parental figure. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Stephen Coakley's portrayal of Rum Tum Tugger was downright sinful. Coakley morphed into the feline version of a rock idol; his seductive crooning, hip-shaking, and Mick Jagger-worthy dancing had the cats meowing and the audience cheering. Highlighted vocalists included Elizabeth Getis as the has-been Glamour Cat, whose lovely vocals were shown off in the poignant power-ballad "Memory", and Sarah Katherine Lawless as maternal figure Jellylorum, who sang a beautiful, touching duet with aging Asparagus, the theatre cat. The role of Asparagus was played by the supremely talented Ryan Philips. Philips was utterly endearing as the frail, palsy-afflicted cat, and the overwhelming nostalgia he conjured in his lament to theatre bygones made many an audience member teary-eyed. A final performer who deserves mention is triple threat Shannon Keye who played the deliciously saucy Rumpleteazer. Keye possessed an unbelievable amount of endurance, though she belted high notes, executed perfect aerials, and always caught the audience's eye, she never once faltered.

Among technical elements, makeup and hair was an uncontestable triumph. Dozens of wigs were custom made to fit every cat's aesthetic and were solidly secured despite the rigorous dance moves of the cast. The faces of each actor were also thoroughly transformed by the professional, intricate designs of makeup artist Daniella Roberge. The set was also functional and visually pleasing. Larger than life junkyard items, such as rusty ovens and haphazard FedEx boxes allowed for plenty of playing space for the large cast.

Though "Cats" is often seen as simply a whimsical exposé of skilled dancers and singers, Tuscarora's interpretation lent emotional relevance to this time-honored musical. As Old Deuteronomy says, while closing the show, "You've learned enough to take the view that cats are very much like you."

Joey Ledonio
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Loudoun

Moonlight spills onto the stage and feline figures gather as audiences are welcomed to Tuscarora High School's captivating production of Cats.

Opening in London in 1981, Cats has been a persistent musical theater classic for decades. This sung-through musical penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber takes all of its lyrics from T.S. Eliot's collection of poetry titled Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The ethereal show follows a curios group of Jellicle cats on the cusp of an annual celebration as they select one cat among them to move on to the mysterious Heaviside Layer. The show's dynamic score features a challenging set of dance numbers and includes the famous power-ballad "Memory." With an impressive 18-year Broadway run, Cats is the third-longest running show in the history of the Great White Way. A notoriously difficult dance aspect and a huge cast of characters makes this show a persistent favorite among regional and community theaters alike.

The true strength of Tuscarora's sleek production was the excellently crafted student choreography. With one dance number after another, choreographers Carly Smith and Meghan Muldoon drew beautiful pirouettes, jetés, and attitudes from trained and amateur dancers alike. The large company never failed to move about the stage with precision and grace. Just like the cats that they were portraying, each member of the cast committed to an agile physicality that enraptured the audience throughout the evening. A dedicated spirit and energy to the feline aesthetic of this show allowed these high school actors to truly transform into an electric ensemble.

Many standout performers served to bolster this cohesive production with excellent vocals and characterizations. With bright solos and a unique presence, Elizabeth Getis as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, added a melancholy gravitas to the show that hooked the audience from her first solo to her final exit. Getis captured the faded and forlorn persona of Grizabella with a perfectly timid physicality. Also standing apart from the large swath of cats with impressive characterization was the old Theatre Cat, Gus, portrayed by Ryan Phillips. Phillips successfully embodied the physicality of an aging cat, completely immersing himself in the character with shaky paws and a ragged voice to match. The revolving door of cats persistently churned out nicely crafted performances from numerous actors such as Stephen Coakley as the Rum Tum Tugger, Kyle Ebbets as Skimbleshanks, and Sarah Katherine Lawless as Jellylorum.

Technical aspects allowed this rollicking production to seamlessly transition from one kinetic number to another. An effectively simple stage design featured beautifully made and oversized pieces of trash that functioned as ramps and platforms. Many interesting entrances built into the junkyard set allowed the action onstage to never lose momentum. Excellently executed makeup and costumes added a professional polish to this already entertaining show, giving each cat a distinct and complex look. Commendably handled sound and spot-on lighting effects such as a glowing moon, Christmas lights, and moving LED lights rounded out the effective tech work on display at Tuscarora.

The cast and crew of Cats at Tuscarora never let their energy or commitment waver, resulting in a truly entrancing production of a musical theater classic.