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.
