Cat-rescue group finds an audience at Playhouse

Diane Less was moved to tears last week by the Youngstown Playhouse’s production of “Cats.”

Not because the musical is so emotionally charged. I mean, the Playhouse’s version is outstanding, but “Cats” isn’t exactly big on plot or character development.

It was the humanistic depiction of the felines that prompted Less to shed a tear. She is the director of Angels for Animals, the rescue agency that specializes in abandoned cats.

“From the point of view of someone who works on the cat problem, [the show] is realistic,” said Less. “They live in an alley and die. [The characters] were like real cats. I cried.”

Angels for Animals’ goal is to stem the suffering of animals, especially cats. So Less is taking advantage of this opportunity by bringing the group’s cat habitat to the Playhouse lobby for its shows tonight through Sunday.

The habitat is a plexiglass viewing room that visitors enter to play with the cats – which will be available for adoption. Less will be there to explain the Angels mission and its plan to building an animal welfare center that will be open around the clock.

“We could save 25,000 animals a year with it,” said Less, who stressed the need for an expanded approach to spaying and neutering of cats.

Currently, Angels saves 10,000 to 15,000 animals a year at its shelter at 4750 W. South Range Road (state Route 165), south of Canfield. Twenty to 40 cats are dropped off each day at the shelter this time of the year.

“Cats” will be performed at 7:30 tonight, Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Call 330-788-8739 for reservations.

ROCK GODS EXHIBIT WILL SOON END ITS RUN AT TYLER CENTER

Sunday is the last day for the Rock Gods exhibit – featuring photographs and artwork by Janet Macoska, Tony Nicholas and Chris Yambar – at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown.

The exhibit of more than 100 pieces has been on display since May. It includes more than 100 photographs – and colorized photos – of some of the world’s greatest rock stars.

Macoska, of course, is the great Cleveland-based rock photographer who has made some of the most iconic rock photos. “Rock Gods” includes her shots of Paul McCartney, KISS, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie and others.

Yambar, a Youngstown-based pop artist and comic-book creator, lends his touch to many of Macoska’s photos, turning them into stylized paintings.

Nicholas is a Youngstown-based photographer and instructor. I found his works to be the most interesting. Not only do they capture the energy and movement of a rock show, but the subject matter is all local bands, performing in Youngstown bars.

The Tyler is open until 4 p.m. Sunday.

Next up at the Tyler will be an exhibit from the Melnick Medical Museum at Youngstown State University. Among the displays will be an antique operating room, circa 1915-1930. This exhibit will open Sept. 27.

The Tyler is still gearing up for its grand opening next summer, when permanent exhibits will be installed on all floors.

MERLE HAGGARD CONCERT WAS SHORT BUT MEMORABLE

It was a short but memorable concert that Merle Haggard put on last week at Packard Music Hall in Warren.

The aging legend, a founder of the outlaw country movement, played for just a tad over an hour, but it nevertheless was a treat.

Haggard was backed by his great seven-piece backup band, the Strangers, which has been intact since 1965. “Most bands travel with roadies, but this might be the only one you’ll see that travels with nurses,” Haggard jokingly said during the show. At least I think he was joking.

Haggard & Co. finished with his polarizing 1969 hit “Okie from Muskogee.” The anti-hippy message has been greatly mellowed over the decades.

“This is a song about marijuana,” said Haggard in introducing the tune. “The lyrics were changed to protect the writers.”

Opening the concert was Haggard’s son Noel (backed by the Strangers), who musically is not too far from his father.

PBS TO AIR DOCUMENTARY ON ROCK and ROLL HALL OF FAME

“Sound Tracks: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum” is the title and the topic of the latest documentary in the Great Museums series.

Narrated by Steven Van Zandt, guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, the one-hour film will premiere at 10 p.m. Friday on WNEO.

“Sound Tracks” coincides with the Rock Hall’s 20th anniversary and includes interviews, histories and anecdotes by artists and rock pioneers.