CATS

BY ED BRUCE edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

TUACAHN.ORG 866 321 8072 RURAL ST GEORGE UTAH 112 MILES NORTH OF LAS VEGAS

WERE YOU BLIND WHEN YOU WERE BORN.... CAN YOU SEE IN THE DARK ?

This Andrew Lloyd Webber standard classic musical among my favorites...always will be !

This extra ordinary production with 7 equity actors as good as any in this wonderful outdoor arena...hell its only two hours from home I may drive up again...I certainly will for their two big productions running in August and September as well...Tarzan and Crazy for You (does the name Gershwin attract you).

Anyway, this IS something to see more than write about but I like to write and help the cause. Started late, 9 minutes, its hot even at 830 mountain time but on this Tuesday pretty decent and the ice cones are only $2.50.

Whats a Jellicle cat ?

Is it possible you have not seen this ? If not now is the time...if you have...now is the time again.

Nothing but world class theatre here with all the horns and whistles and live music !

I love the outdoor venue and the space available...we have flying cats which is always good...in this production they did not use the big mountain background which nonetheless in itself lends some extra class to the production.

This is a musical and I live the lyrics in all the songs...in addition to Memory !
Some problem exists with getting all the words to the audience in these songs and I for one want them...may be a touch of overpowering background orchestra or bad audio boards and timing...but on a minor scale....a way for improvement here. Really in any song with lyrics that should be the emphasis...why write lyrics if you can't hear them...Frankie Valli's band on Saturday was just too damn loud !

Speaking of loud, I loved Munkustrap...showstealer...JUST RIGHT...HE IS huge 6'4" 260 pound linebacker type...junior theatre major at BYU with a magnificent stage presents and projection...loved him.

27 perfectly costumed cats constantly in catlike motion...lots of dance in this which I tend to forget...perfect marriage of music and dance here.

At the top they announced a backup for Mr. Mistoffelees...never a problem because this rep group is very deep and often backups are as good or better than leads...some double casting in this too. Our Mr. Mistoffelees with the biggest dance piece in the show was only sensational (Thayne Jasperson-equity actor)...nice job.

Two hours...fireworks at the end...I probably am back for two more.

Had the opportunity to donate to this wonderful production.

LATE 90 A-