WPCNR ON THE AISLE. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey. First Rush. December 17, 2011:
CATS now showing for just 9 more performances at White Plains Performing Arts Center is a must-see for those who love enthusiastic, give-it-their-all young talent who reach out to the audience, involve, enchant and create all the magic of this classic show.
From the operatically gifted personality of Devon Yates(above, right) delivering delightfully the enthralling epiphany of Memory as the stately Grizabella reprising the classic Betty Buckley performance, to the antics of the 17 stars of the future who bring CATS to life with the reverence, care, and smaltz it is known for, to the pull-all-the-switches effects of Andrew Gmoser’s lighting that dazzles the eye, stills and uplifts the soul, to the choreography that has the young men and lady felines romping, flying, leaping into the aisles, slinking in the shadows – this show running two hours gets it all purr-fectly right, precisely right.
The show directed by Jeremy Quinn, creatively, smoothly, energetic for every minute, with no cat napping on the set, is by far the best production the White Plains Performing Arts Center has ever done turning WPPAC stage for this limited run at least into what it could be and aspired to be and what the city fathers thought it would be when the theatre opened nine years ago.
Taking on a Broadway production that ran for 18 years on Broadway is no easy task.
Mounted in three weeks, at one third the cost of some previous productions the production is a miracle and a testimony to committed talent can do. The junkyard set is there, detailed and reminiscent of the original Broadway show, you will not be disappointed. The lighting by the magical Mr.Gmoser, the lighting and design mastermind for Westchester Broadway Theatre the last 23 years, is beyond description, but I will try. It is as if Mr.Gmoser has been turned loose to use every lighting device in the book. Never has WPPAC been able to execute such lightning douses, elegant fades and illusions as you will see on the WPPAC stage.
Why am I starting talking production? Because production makes CATS: it’s a show about atmosphere,mood, feelings, spirituality and mystery and without inspired technical effects the illusion of human beings in cat suits does not come across or work. Well in the Quinn production, the special effects, the live orchestra lead sensitively by Kurt Kelley,the musical director in his first Mainstage production at WPPAC, is perfectly nuanced in laying the mood bed for the songs of each individual cat. Compliments to the woodwinds: reed players Dan Pearson and Ericka Shlenkermann for their eloquent mood-intensifying solos.
On stage you will see Deuteronomy the cat appear out of thin air. Mr. Mistoffeles (Michael Clement, a “Marcel Marceau-like” light-on-his-feet dancer who charms) as the conjuring cat disappears before your very eyes with no trap doors.
If you are one of the few who have never seen CATS, this is an excellent introduction to the show, but assuming you don't know the story, it is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. The show introduces us to key personalities living in a band of Jellicle cats in a junkyard, outstandingly recreated by Scenic Designer Joseph Egan.
The show comes back between Christmas and New Year’s for matinees at 2PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 28, 29 and 30th of December, and evening performances at 8, also on the 28,29, 30 of December.
More on this splendid show...to come.
