‘Purr’-fection of talent populates ‘Cats’
By Eric McCrea
Youngstown
The national treasure in our own backyard has reached another milestone. Opening its 91st season with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats,” the Youngstown Playhouse was packed Friday night.
Easily Webber’s most pretentiously banal show, “Cats” has barely any plot, and resembles a pageant more than a musical. Based on T. S. Eliot’s collection of poems, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” it is common knowledge that you’ll be seeing adults dressed as felines, who somehow dance and sing.
Despite the entire premise being obnoxious, with fitting music and lyrics, the amount of talent packed into this production is beyond the perfection we expect from Broadway. Directors/choreographers David Jendre and Emily Pasquale managed to make this spectacle quite entertaining. The main attraction is an ensemble of dancers who seem to never stop moving; the antithesis of their animal counterparts who spend 20 hours a day sleeping. The dancing was extremely impressive, at times prompting gratuitous applause from an awe-inspired audience.
Under the musical direction of Nancy Wolfgang, the company’s vocals were so strong and precise, one would think they were hearing a professional choir twice the size of this cast.
Hidden under thick layers of costumes, makeup and wigs, it was challenging to single out many performers as exceptional, especially given the high caliber of ability. However, there were a few standouts.
Serving as the show’s de facto emcee Munkustrap, Joshua William Green, greatly aided the flow from one song to the next. His impressive skill was somewhat subdued, as he focused more on highlighting the other performers during their moments in the spotlight. He made the show less confusing by directing the eye to the featured singer.
Momentarily stepping away from the helm, Jendre filled the role of Asparagus. He was the perfect fit as the nostalgic character, with his song “Gus: The Theatre Cat.”
Performing the titular roles of the song “Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer,” Jacob Butler Mull and Emelia Sherin amazed with their aptitude for dance, flooring the audience more than once.
Noticeably impressive singers Destiny Hughes as Bombalurina and Sarah Demetruk as Demeter were remarkable with their duet “Macavity.”
Setting the bar high early in the show, James Major Burns is phenomenal as Rum Tug Tugger, performing a song of the same name. He shines whenever he’s on stage with glitziness that cannot be contained.
One of the central parts, Old Deuteronomy, was played by Anthony ‘Coot’ Madison. Although he’s light on the dancing, his singing is powerful, and his stage presence is palpable.
The most famous song from the show, “Memory,” was performed by local star Brandy Johanntges as Grizabella. She shows this town how that song was meant to be done.
Costume and makeup design are vital to the execution, and the Playhouse did not fail, with an entire team accomplishing this feat.
There were some small issues with the microphones at times being obstacles for these larger-than-life dancers, but that did not detract from the performances. If there was one thing that could have improved this show, it would have been a live orchestra, but it was an acceptable sacrifice.
Although it’s one of the most pointless shows ever written, it’s easy to see why it set records, given the amazing opportunities it gives actors to showcase their abilities.
“Cats” runs today and next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 330-788-8739.