For the Wasatch Front's first local stage production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's landmark musical, "Cats," Rodgers Memorial Theatre has brought in professional choreographer Janet Gray to turn actors and singers into larger-than-life felines.
It opens Friday and continues nightly except Sundays through May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Rodgers, 292 E. Pages Lane, Centerville.
"The original Broadway (and London) productions were very ballet based," Gray said. "But that takes a lifetime of training."
So she's taken the double-cast ensemble — directed by Ron Jewett — and is developing each role around each performer's individual talents.
And, instead of focusing on ballet, Gray is using other dance genres, such as soft-shoe, disco, vaudeville and jazz. This will give the usual Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday cast a slightly different chemistry than the Monday-Wednesday-Friday cast.
For instance, playful Rum-Tum Tugger will be given an Elvis persona by Monte Garcia, but is patterned more after Bon Jovi when played by Jason Gordon, who has a slighter build than Garcia.
Trent Brown, who plays both Mr. Mistoffelees, the conjuring cat, and the villainous Macavity, is more gymnastic, while Michael Hernandez, in the alternate cast, is studying dance at Weber State University.
The cast also includes Holly Samuelson and Laurel Warr as Grizabella, who sings the show's signature song, "Memory," with Alan Edwards playing three different roles all six nights — Munkustrap in one cast and both Bustopher Jones and Gus in the other cast (alternating with Joel Kelly and Scott Van Dyke).
Tony Smith and Kris Anderson share the role of Old Deuteronomy.
"This is a dance show," said Gray. "The poetry is in the songs and there is a little bit of a story line, but the singers have surprised me with their ability to adapt their body movements. It is coming together nicely."
Gray said performers will make some entrances and exits through the audience, "which is so much fun for the children."
Tickets range from $9 to $14 (298-1302).
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com