McAllen purrs for Cats

As a newcomer to Cats, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I saw the musical Tuesday night at the McAllen Civic Center. All I knew was that Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit Broadway musical based on a book of poems by T.S. Eliot titled Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats recently celebrated 27 years of production and had little to no plot.

I sat, transfixed, as most of the theater did, as the cast of Cats introduced each other to the audience through song and dance.

Every cat had a distinct personality and managed to convey it well even to the back row of a theater that seats nearly 2,000.

Rum Tum Tugger (Adam Steiner), the rock star of cats, flamboyantly sashayed across the stage, and gave the production a much-needed bolt of energy. The sad, but sweet Asparagus (Ryan William Bailey) moved me with his performance as the old theater cat who would tell anyone who'd listen of his days of glory. And Mr. Mistoffolees (Chris Mackenthun) dazzled the audience with his tricks and magic.

As expected though, Grizabella (Anastasia Lange), blew me away with her swan song "Memory." Not a person stirred as she belted out the powerful and heart-wrenching tune. After the chills subsided, I watched as Grizabella made her way up to the Heaviside Layer, which is supposed to be a sort of heaven for cats - though the method of transportation to the other side looked more like a UFO, and I started wondering if cats are really aliens.

Although Cats has a hard time living up to its famed reputation and one's expectations, it is a thoroughly enjoyable production that shouldn't be missed.

If you've ever been curious about Cats, you're in luck - the tour is in McAllen for one more night.

For more information, visit www.broadwayinmcallen.com