Cats

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

Evidently, the actors at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre are all on vacation. They’re nowhere to be seen.

The theatre has been overrun with cats. Old cats, young cats, fat cats, slender cats, orange cats, black cats, white cats, Prima Donna cats, playful cats, aloof cats, but cats all with a story to tell.

Stephen Bertles as “Mungojerri” in Cats at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre.

Once a year the Jellicle Cats gather in the Junk Yard for their Jellicle Ball. Knowing they all have nine lives, on this night, they recommend to their leader one deserving cat to ascend to The Heaviside Layer, their kitty heaven.

With flexed claws and flipped tails, the Jellicle Cats have several favorites to present to their leader.

There’s Mr. Mistoffelees. “Well I never. Did you ever know a Cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees?” Jennyanydots sleeps all day romping with the mice at night. Rum Tim Tugger, the rock star, is a Curious Cat. “If you put him in a house, he’d much prefer a flat. If you put him in a flat, he’d much prefer a house.”

The cats become spooked and hesitant when raggedy, old Grizabella wanders onto the scene. Some are afraid of her. Some are tenuously curious. No one wants to be around her.

When Bustopher Jones waddles into their midst, the other cats sniggle with respect. He’s a sleek fat black cat, the cat about town, and very much a snob. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser are “knockabout clowns, quick change comedians, tight rope walkers and acrobats” Old Deuteronomy, their beloved, respected leader, makes the final decision. Asparagus, the theatre cat, with palsy, laments what he once was. Everyone calls him Gus. It’s easier.

Skimbleshanks, the Railroad Cat, boasts his position. “Without him the Night Mail just can’t go.” Then there’s Macavity, the Mysterious cat. “He“s called the mysterious paw. For he’s the Master criminal who can defy the law.”

But wait a minute. Something there is about the eyes of Old Deuteronomy. I know those eyes, warmed with wisdom. Could it be? Of course, the actors aren’t on vacation at all. Snuggled behind fur, whiskers, and delicious costumes designed by Linda Morken, the Jellicle Cats strut their stuff with their distinct individualized markings. The actors give the cats their unique personalities, wrapped in soul and heart. The eyes, the moves, and voices give them away.

Wayne Kennedy’s eyes shine through Old Deuteronomy. That beautiful plaintiff voice of Grizabella belongs to Shelly-Cox Robie. The song “Memory” was once-upon-time sung into the ground by just about everyone who sings. In the context of Grizabella, and Cox-Robie’s velvet voice, the electricity sizzles with total quiet. Who else could climb into the rock and roll Rum Tum Tugger with such definitive dance moves? Scott Beyette, that’s who. Bustopher Jones and Gus could only be A.K. Klimpke lurking behind the whiskered smirks of Jones and poignant Gus.

Skimbleshank’s long-legged graceful leaps and bounds with glistening eyes reveal Brian Norber. Cindy Lawrence’s beautiful smile shines through the fur of Jennyanydots.

The actors are all there for Andrew Lloyd Weber’s phenomenal musical Cats, based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. Produced by Michael J. Duran and directed and choreographed by dance wizard Stephen Bertles, this production is above and beyond being excellent. It’s awesome, exquisite, magical and purr-fect. Melissa Schrank created a Junk Yard for the set sporting an old rusty car, and an even older rustier oven. Nooks and crannies are everywhere for the cats to slink around, over, under and through.

So many cats to marvel over as they tease, grumble, flash their claws, roll, tumble, and play with each other and the audience. Joanie Brosseau-Beyette’s humorous, rambunctious, acrobatic Rumpleteaser along with Bertles’s equally mischievous Mungojerrie are “remarkably smart at a smash-and-grab.”

Alicia Dunfee as Bombalurina, Amy Grass as Jellyorum, Lea Chapman as Demeter, John Scott Clough as Munkustrap, and the original Conjuring Cat, Mr. Mistoffelees sliding down a wire identified only with tiny lights on his black vest balanced by Mike Muniz.

Hidden from view, Neal Dunfee conducts one of the largest orchestras BDT has ever had with 15 musicians. They’ve spent some time at the Jellicle Ball and spent some time with the Jellicle Cats to provide the heartbeat of the musical score.

Call early for reservations. Cats is selling out.