Memories to last nine lifetimes—that’s the promise to audiences attending the upcoming production of CATS, slated to open the first of six performances on June 19 at North Central Texas College.
Hailed by critics worldwide as the show that “revolutionized musical theatre,” CATS is presented by the NCTC Department of Drama & Dance and will take place on the main stage of the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts (FSB Center) on the Gainesville campus.
The curtain will go up at 7:30 p.m. for performances on June 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27. A June 28 matinee will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the FSB Center box office.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes. Many of the musical numbers have become popular classics, including the signature song “Memory” to be performed by Olivia Norine of Denton in the role of Grizabella.
Stage director Thom Talbott, NCTC drama program head, summarizes the captivating story this way:
“Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Suddenly an explosion of music and lights reveals a larger than life junkyard. Probing car lights tear across the darkened landscape of bottles and boxes, briefly catching the darting image of a running feline.
“Tonight is the one special night each year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats reunites to celebrate who they are.”
Talbott said this simple story line becomes “a magical night of theater” when all the elements of the stage setting, the unique costumes and Webber’s amazing musical score come together with a talented cast of actor-singers.
“In addition to our great cast, we’re excited to have some special guests helping us stage this show,” Talbott said, “including Dr. John Norine of Denton, who is serving as musical director, and choreographer Terrynan Davis, a dance student at UNT.
“And since both the scenery and costumes are so especially important in a production of CATS, we’re indebted to our technical director Dan Doss for his set and lighting design and to Costume World for helping transform our actors into felines. Our stage manager is Channon Gibson.”
The CATS cast of college students and community members includes:
From Gainesville and Cooke County – Alyssa Day, Arturo Garcia, Domanick Hubbard, Cabie Lamb, Annjeanette Martin, Mitchell Martin, Marina Nishimura, Ashley Watson, Kylie Woodlock, Pamelo Boeko, Kailey Day, Hayley Henry, Alex Knight, Lily Nishimura, Meilani Nishimura, Madison Ratliff, Reagan Woodlock, KyLeigh Zimmerer (Lindsay), Ryan Ramirez (Callisburg).
From Denton and Denton County – Kendall Butler, Terrynan Davis, Joshua Diaz, Phyllis Katherine James, Brandon Martin, Olivia Norine, Ariana Fowler and Ellanie Patman (Sanger), Anna Carroll and Carly Carroll (Tioga), Ashley Page (Justin), Beth Elaine Lipton (Lewisville).
From Nocona – Keirnan Gibbs.
All seats for CATS are reserved, sellouts are expected for some performances, and those wishing to attend are urged to make reservations as soon as possible by calling the FSB Center box office at 940-668-3355. Hours are Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for youth (high school or younger) and free for NCTC students with an I.D. Group rates are available for groups of more than 10.
For more information about the production of CATS or about the drama program at NCTC, go online to www.nctc.edu/drama. Interested persons may also become a fan of NCTC Drama on Facebook.
Local News
'CATS' to walk NCTC stage next weekend
- Local News
-
-
Tallying continues in Gainesville hospital board election
The tallying continues for administrators of the May 12 Gainesville
Hospital District election — who have scheduled a recount for 2:30
p.m. today in the North Texas Medical Center boardroom.
-
Hirings and kind words fill GISD board meeting
Hirings and commendations highlighted Monday’s regular Gainesville ISD
Board of Trustees meeting.
-
Additional Cooke County sentencings released
Jeremiah Johnson Jarvis, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly
weapon, was sentenced to seven years probation and fined $1,500, plus
$253 in court costs. -
Letter carriers collect tons of food for VISTO
A Cooke County benefit organization currently has another several
thousand pounds of food to spread among families in need, thanks to
collection efforts by the Gainesville Post Office. -
'Pink ladies' now seeing red at medical center
For the first time in their history, North Texas Medical Center
Auxiliary members are wearing red. -
Eclipse over Lake Ray Roberts
Sunday evening’s partial annular eclipse of the sun is shown here as
seen from the Lake Ray Roberts shore during sunset. -
VIDEO: 'Ring of fire' solar eclipse
The solar eclipse that took place Sunday evening was an annular eclipse, one in which the moon blocks almost all of the sun. Some of the best viewing was in Asia, as with this video filmed in Japan.
-
Pharmacy robbed
Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a report of
aggravated robbery at Americare Pharmacy at 217 N. Weaver St. shortly
before noon Friday and arrested suspect Jeremy Kyle Lackey, 30,
shortly later. -
Mud run raise money for rare disease
Cooke County mother Wendi Tipps got her 30th birthday wish
Saturday when over 600 participants turned out for “M-o-o-ving Thru’
The Mud With Landon” at Circle N Family Dairy near Lindsay. -
Hospital names top empolyees
North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville honored its Director and
Employee of the Year during the organization’s annual Employee
Recognition Banquet May 15. - More Local News Headlines
-
Tallying continues in Gainesville hospital board election
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
