‘Cats’ brings iconic musical to Fox Cities Performing Arts Heart
APPLETON – A musical theater staple for greater than 40 years, “Cats” is making its strategy to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Heart this weekend for 5 reveals solely.
Primarily based on a group of poems from T.S. Eliot, “Cats” tells the story of a gaggle of stray cats in a junkyard who yearly come collectively for the “Jellicle Ball,” throughout which era they choose one cat to ascend to the “Heaviside Layer” and be reborn. The musical was composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber and premiered on the West Finish in 1981 and on Broadway in 1982. It is an summary present extra closely centered on music and dance than a standard plotline.
Cameron Schutza, who performs Previous Deuteronomy within the North American tour of “Cats,” mentioned he thinks audiences have been drawn to the present for many years as a result of it’s “such a spectacle.”
“The units and costumes are wonderful, after which the choreography — the brand new, extra up to date choreography for this manufacturing — is admittedly, actually spectacular. And I feel the audiences actually react to it,” Schutza mentioned. “We’ve a extremely nice forged on tour, and that provides rather a lot to it. All people is on the market doing 110% eight days per week.”
“Cats” is Schutza’s first musical theater gig. He comes from the opera world. As Previous Deuteronomy, the patriarch of the “Jellicle Cats” revered for his knowledge, Schutza’s vocals take centerstage. Most of the different performers on stage primarily showcase their dancing.
Schutza mentioned transitioning from performing in operas, which generally keep at one theater for six to eight weeks, to a present that strikes throughout North America week to week has been an adjustment, however pleasing.
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“Cats” had a 21-year run on the West Finish and 18-year run on Broadway. On the time of its closings, in 2002 and 2000, respectively, it was the longest-running musical in each theater worlds. The musical made waves within the theater world, and in 2019 had a star-studded film musical. This model of the present has been touring since September 2021 and can wrap up its tour throughout North America in June.
Schutza mentioned essentially the most rewarding a part of being in “Cats” is enjoying a task in it is “40-year legacy” that featured different performers he seems to be as much as enjoying his similar position.
“I imply, you realize, the unique London forged was Brian Blessed, the unique Broadway forged was Ken Web page — these are each legendary performers and actors. After which Judi Dench was Previous Deuteronomy within the film,” Schutza mentioned. “So it is an attention-grabbing, like, lineage of actors to get to me at this level.”
“Cats” runs Friday by Sunday on the PAC. Tickets might be bought on-line by Ticketmaster, by telephone at 800-982-2787 or by the Fox Cities PAC ticket workplace in-person or by telephone at 920-730-3760. The PAC ticket workplace is open 10 a.m. to six p.m. Monday by Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Observe her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
