What it lacks in substance, “CATS” makes up for in spectacle—and this 30-year-old musical certainly makes a spectacle of itself in the current touring production, on stage through Jan. 22 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
“Memories” may be the most famous song in the show, but “Gus: The Theatre Cat” is superior. Songs are like jokes—the ones most firmly rooted in character are the ones that really hit home. Asparagus, aka Gus, has arguably the meatiest characterization in the show, and Christopher E. Sidoli probes every nuance of the lyrics like a cat dissecting a mouse.
The ensemble is first rate and highly polished, not always the case with touring companies. Richard Stafford directed and choreographed the Andrew Lloyd Webber show (based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”) for the tour, working from Trevor Nunn’s original direction and Gillian Lynne’s choreography.
The costumes and sets—both credited to John Napier, with Raymond Huessy reproducing the scenic design—are top notch. If the acoustics still suffer by comparison with SCFTA’s concert hall next door, the sound clarity is notably better than usual; it may just be a case of the musical supervisor (or whoever) having a sharper ear. Tickets start at $20; call (714) 556-2787 or go online at www.SCFTA.org.
Hot tip: Asian art aficionados visiting Portland, Oregon, take note--currently on exhibit at the Portland Art Museum are “The Artist's Touch, The Craftsman's Hand Three Centuries of Japanese Prints” (through Jan. 22) and “The Fragrance of Orchids: Asian Art from the Alex and Suzanne Rosenkrantz Collection” (closing Feb. 12).
More from Jordan:
Best of OC Theatre 2011
“CATS” in Costa Mesa, Disney’s “Beast” & “Nightmare” in Blu 3D http://shar.es/WlYGT
Pulitzer-winning ‘Topdog,’ ‘Car Plays’ staged in Costa Mesa
‘Muses’ in Fullerton, Pete Seeger and pals in Laguna & San Diego http://shar.es/Wi6rN
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