Cats

The Apple's on a roll this season with truly golden dancing and delicious ensemble acting. In an intimate setting we get caught up in "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," the Names, the prospect of the Ball, "Moments of Happiness" and sometimes discord from the likes of "Macavity" and "Mistoffelees," and finally, which of the cats will get a once-a-year chance at a new life. I've always thought the clever costumes and make-up along with spectacular (and unusual, at its debut time) set accounted for most of the appeal that made Cats such a popular show. It couldn't have been plot! Not really much by way of characterization either. And only one major song, memorable (no pun intended) as that might be. Deep down, I still feel that what made the difference with this musical was the publicity it received: This show must be seen! What an exemplar of the Bandwagon propaganda device!

For this production, though, I've resisted being tainted by past experience with Cats; I'm rolling along with the Apple.

The intimate setting works wonders. A cat hovering over one's table or scratching a ledge next to it, or leaping over a stage or down the trunk of an abandoned jalopy not far away make purr-fect ways to involve an audience. And those poetic words, underscored by hidden musicians, can be understood!

Everyone's favorite Apple performers may be applauded. It would take several reviews to mention the contribution of each, so let it suffice to say that all (some of them twice) make their roles distinctive. Director Ben Turoff and sidekick Karen Babcock have polished this Apple offering to a high gloss.