In August, the musical “Cats” made its much-anticipated return to Broadway after 18 years off the stage, and is now running at the Neil Simon Theater. It was once Broadway’s longest-running musical, closing with 7,485 performances. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including “Best Musical”, “Cats” features beautiful dancing, singing, and award-winning sets and costumes. In the past, “Cats” thrilled audiences worldwide – it ran through 30 countries and in 15 different languages. There’s no doubt that “Cats” is one of the most unforgettable musicals and Broadway experiences ever to hit the stage. Now, see how this “rebirth” has captivated a new audience once again.

The Jellicle Cats are back

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As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s third Broadway musical currently on Broadway, running simultaneously with “School of Rock” and “Phantom of the Opera”, this “Cats” revival is taking the world of theater by storm. The show begins with an explosion of lights and music, with all the Jellicle Cats dashing and strutting through the audience and three-tier set.

The musical features a variety of dancing, singing, and acting, as the cast of “Cats” contains some of the most multi-talented people in the world of Broadway theater. For instance, British singing sensation Leona Lewis was appointed for Grizabella, the outsider cat, by Webber himself. Lewis was the third-ever winner of the X-Factor in 2006, launching her career as a singer. As Grizabella in “Cats,” Lewis has had the honor of performing “Memory”, a song made world-famous by the previous Grizabella, Elaine Paige.

A lover of Broadway and specifically “Cats” since she was young, Oakton student Lindsey Jacobson (11) has a strong connection with this musical. Jacobson saw “Cats” when she was eight years old when it toured and came to Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. “I was obsessed with the book by T.S. Elliot when I was little. I loved reading it, and I thought it was really cool to learn about Broadway shows through books,” said Jacobson. She has been training for a career in theater since a young age, participating in local musicals and taking chorus, dance classes, and vocal lessons weekly. Jacobson is also in the academy class at Fairfax High School for musical theatre, where she studies the history and science of acting, singing, and dancing, and where she learned even more about “Cats”. Additionally, Jacobson starred in Oakton’s production of “Phantom of the Opera” last year, as Christine Daaé, and Jane Banks in “Mary Poppins” the year prior. Also written by the famed Andrew Lloyd Webber, the professional rendition “Phantom of the Opera” actually surpassed “Cats” as the longest-running musical. Her love for Webber’s work has even Jacobson’s background in music, and theater has made her “…absolutely want a future in Broadway.”

Oakton students Megan McDermott (9) and Alexis Singer (9) both had the opportunity to see “Cats” in August when it premiered on Broadway. “It was a very unique experience,” said McDermott. Both McDermott and Singer are competitive dancers with a focus on ballet, so seeing “Cats” was especially exciting for them. “The music and dancing were beautiful, and I loved watching all the various styles of dancing throughout the show,” said Singer. Additionally, McDermott is a huge fan of “So You Think You Can Dance,” so seeing Ricky Ubeda perform live in ”Cats” as Mister Mistoffelees was an added bonus. “The characters and set really brought the show to life, and it was unlike any musical I have ever seen,” Singer said. Both girls agreed that “Cats” was the best Broadway show that they have seen.

This “Cats” run is no dog. From tapping Broadway jazz to beautiful ballet and partnering choreography, “Cats” will keep the audience captivated throughout the entire show. Not only are the songs, dancing, and set fascinating, but the Jellicle Cats will interact with the audience and keep everyone engaged, because who wouldn’t love cats dashing, clawing, and singing around you? Make it a point to experience the new run of “Cats,” and, as Grizabella would say,  “let the memory live again.”