"CATS," Rodgers Memorial Theatre, Centerville, through May 6 (298-1302). Running time: one hour, 45 minutes (one intermission).
CENTERVILLE — Who would have guessed that a musical with a whisker-thin plot based on T.S. Eliot's whimsical poems in "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" would become one of the longest-running hits on Broadway and London's West End?
The fascinating felines in "Cats" prowl, pounce, purr and slink their way through some 20 delightful songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which allow clueless humans to purr-use the secret, nocturnal world of "Jellicle Cats" in a junkyard near London.
"Cats" is not about the plot.
It's all about terrific dancing (kudos to Janet Gray's choreography), Tannie Flammer and Shelley Davies' amazing costumes, Glen Carpenter and Addie Holman's makeup (this show is really big on wigs and whiskers), some knockout performances, and Aaron Bushnell and Donna Ellis' incredible scenery and props, which spill out into the lobby.
Director Ron Jewett has made some good choices in bringing "Cats" to Rodgers Memorial's intimate stage — shortening several numbers and even cutting a couple of tunes entirely. And Gray's diverse dance routines — ranging from tap to ballet to jazz and other disciplines — keep the momentum brisk.
There were a couple of crossovers from the double-casting for Saturday night's performance.
Laurel Aposhian Warr was especially good as Grizabella, the tattered cat who is selected by Old Deuteronomy (Kris Andersen) for the honor of moving onto "The Heavyside Layer." Her rendition of the show's signature piece, "Memory," was tender and moving.
Other noteworthy performances were delivered by Alan Edwards as both the portly Bustopher Jones and Gus, the Theatre Cat; Daniel Frederickson as Skimble-
shanks, the energetic Railway Cat; Michael Hernandez's lithe, ballet moves as the magical Mr. Mistoffelees; Jason L. Gordon as the playful Rum Tum Tugger; and Lisa Bradshaw and Suzie Morgan (as Electra and Cassandra, respectively), who provided the singing while Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer (Abbie Lawrence and Nichole Silvester, respectively) do their vaudevillian dance.
This is one of the few local productions of "Cats," and Rodgers Memorial tackles the show's difficult aspects — the junkyard setting and the intricately choreographed songs — beautifully.
Kids will love it as much as their parents.
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com