PAYSON — The set is trashed and the fur is flying, but it's all good in Payson where "Cats" is making its Utah County debut.
Especially when you realize the trash has been deliberately stapled up to encircle the stage in pizza cartons, milk bottles, drink pouches and broken bicycle parts.
And the fur is everywhere, also by design — on the faces of the actors, on their arms and calves. Where fur isn't, there are stripes, spots and all kinds of cat colors.
It's a feline world of whiskers and tails as the cast for this recently released Broadway hit brings the alley to life.
Michael Carrasco is excited to have the opportunity to be not only the first in Utah County to produce the show but the second in the state.
He's also a bit daunted at the task he's taken on.
"I went to see this at Rodgers Memorial, and as soon as I found out the rights were released, I got busy," Carrasco said.
The first thing Carrasco did was to inform those trying out that they needed to be comfortable dancing in skin-tight costumes. They also needed to be very skilled.
"I was amazed at the caliber we got," Carrasco said. "Some moves are extremely difficult. There are a lot of acrobatics. It's a challenge."
He was worried about getting enough young male dancers, so he's taken on the part of Munkustrap.
Kristi Frei is the music director and plays Grizabella who sings the famous "Memories" signature solo.
Molly Brenchley is the choreographer.
Other cast members include veteran Payson Community Theatre players Stan and Kristi Peck as Bustopher Jones and Coricopat, Steve Poulsen as Rum Tum Tugger and the entire family of Craig Flinders (who plays Old Deuteronomy).
To further jazz things up, Carrasco has added a full-size trampoline and a couple of minitramps to the set.
He's also brought in youngsters to be baby kittens.
"I wanted this to be a family show," Carrasco said.
Five-year-old Emma Heaton is one.
She's thrilled to get a chance to sing, dance and to have a real tail.
"That's my favorite part, my tail!" she said.
Hannah Twede, 8, said she liked getting to figure out her own half-brown, half-white face makeup.
Hannah Frei, 6, likes watching her mom be Grizabella, and she likes screeching at the appropriate moment.
All 37 in the cast have been immersed in the cat world since they signed on.
"The first thing we all did was go out and watch cats. Michael (Carrasco) told us to and it's amazing to watch them, really watch them. They steadily stare for a long time at things and then when they move, they move really quick," said Dawn Garrett of Payson, who plays Bombalurina.
The show is an energetic exercise, from putting on the elaborate makeup two hours before the soundtrack starts to the final cartwheel and leap from a giant, junked stove.
Carrasco said it's truly a show where the community comes together.
"I used to live and work in Los Angeles, and in all of my directing and acting days I never thought I would meet my match. I have met my match with this show. But talk about community effort. We have someone who's styled all the wigs, others helping with makeup and costumes. It's been impressive."
If you go . . .
What: "Cats" presented by Payson Community Theatre
Where: Payson High School auditorium, 450 W. 1220 North
When: Aug. 25 through Labor Day
Cost: $12 seat
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com