Entr’Acte Theatrix Charms With 'Cats'

Cast of "Cats" (Photo: Carol Kassie)

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

It could be I am the last person on the planet to have never seen Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats."  But now I have.

Entr’Acte Theatrix presented the acclaimed musical at the William G Skaff Center in West Palm Beach -- one of only seven productions currently touring the country -- and it was evident how it has charmed and entertained millions since its London debut in 1981.

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Cate and the junkyard shoe (NPBL)

The energetic cast of junkyard Jellicle cats, with their amazing costumes, sang and danced their way nonstop (the show has almost no spoken dialogue) to the Jellicle Ball, where their leader, Old Deuteronomy, would choose one of them to be reborn. 

Also impressive was the staging at the William G. Skaff Center, which affords intimate, up-close viewing that almost places the audience onstage with the performers.

The musical is based on T.S. Eliot’s 1939 poetry collection, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," which is said he originally wrote for his godchildren. And even those who haven't seen it will probably know one of its most famous songs, "Memory," recorded by more than 150 different singers.

Afterwards, cast members generously came back out to hang with the audience and pose for photos, much to the delight of our granddaughter, Cate, and Pam. It ended its run on Sunday, June 28, but mark your calendars for their next production, "Mary Poppins," coming this Fall. Stay current by visiting their Facebook page.

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Cate and Pam with Old Deuteronomy (NPBL)