'Cats' purrs to life with feline antics
All sorts of feline fun is under way at St. Peter's where the youth cast of "Cats" is rehearsing meows and moves for opening night Thursday.
The 78 cast members are busy transforming themselves into the playful, lithe felines that tell the musical story of "Cats."
The show is under the direction of Gordon Cavalero, who admits this undertaking is huge. "It is one of the most challenging shows we've done and different from the others as there is little dialog and lots of choreography," said Cavalero. "We've also enlisted some help with costumes, scenery and props from Pine-Richland High School, which did the musical in the spring."
Connie Rodgers. who has been in the Butler Summer Dramatics shows for the past nine years, said this show is the most challenging and exhausting production yet.
"The songs are amazing and the choreography demanding. My solo leaves me breathless, I am glad I don't have to be on stage right after it," she said.
Rodgers, who works at Allegheny Axel by day, puts on the role of Jennyanydots by night. "She is the older happy-go-lucky friendly cat," explained Rodgers noting that's much like herself as she is the oldest member of the cast.
"For this role I had to learn how to tap dance which was a challenge in itself," she said. "Most characters I have played have been in the choruses where dance moves were simple. This whole show is about the moves and choreography. I also hope to bring some great facial expression to my character."
Another Summer Dramatics veteran is Marissa Wagner of Concord Township. She is a senior at Slippery Rock University majoring in exercise science. "I play Rumpleteazer, one half of a mischievous duo of cats who are constantly stirring things up," explained Wagner.
"Learning to be catlike and moving catlike have been both challenging and fun; it is a different way of acting. My character and I both are a bit spunky but the cat is very loud when it is paired up with its partner Mungojerrie."
For Wagner, Summer Dramatics is all about the people. "I tried out for the show to be in 'Cats,' but I come back every year to see my friends. It is almost like a family here. I have been in many shows with the same people so to come back is like a reunion," she said.
Both she and Rodgers are aware that coming back also has its responsibilities. "This program is set up to mentor younger actors and I enjoy helping them when I can," said Rodgers. "In this show we've worked with the kids a lot. It is something I really enjoy about these shows."
The choreography of the show is one of the most challenging undertakings for this musical. With their regular choreographer unable to participate, Erin Uhl of Concord Township stepped in to lend a hand, or a paw.
"I play Victoria, the pretty white cat. I don't have to say anything so the role isn't nearly as challenging as the job of choreographing the show," she explained.
The Slippery Rock University senior majoring in elementary and special education is getting quite an education in her role. "I have choreographed small numbers before, but nothing quite like this," she said.
"It can get overwhelming with all the people to teach different moves. Thankfully some of the others have stepped in to help with it," she added.
Tying the whole thing together with the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber is John Cooper as the musical director for the show. Cooper of Penn Township, though well schooled in music and involved in choirs all over the county for years, has never directed a production like this. "I was delighted with the opportunity and it has been an enjoyable and challenging experience," said Cooper whose two children are also in the show playing kittens. "My kids were in the show last year and I came to practices with them," he said. "This year when they had the auditions, I jumped at the chance to be involved.
"Helping to motivate the kids and seeing the production evolve from beginning to end is very rewarding," he said.
"In this show, everything is dependent on the music and the choreography since there really is no dialog. The music and the large dance sequences are so involved that I've had to tailor some of the numbers to the abilities and capabilities of the kids without losing what the number is trying to convey to the audience," Cooper said.
"I think people will look at their cats differently after seeing this show and begin to wonder what their cats are thinking and why they are doing the things they do," he said. "This is truly a great student rendition of the Broadway classic that the audience will enjoy."
Tickets cost $10 and $12 and are available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 East Jefferson St.
<B>WHAT:</B> "Cats" presented by Butler Summer Dramatics<B>WHEN:</B> 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Aug. 4 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 5<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater on the Butler Community College Campus<B>TICKETS:</B> $10 and $12 available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.
