This February Northwest’s Division of Fine Arts will bring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” to the Northwest stage. Northwest theatre instructor Jo Ellen Logan will be directing this version of the Webber masterpiece.
“Cats” has become one of the most successful plays in Broadway musical history. It’s based on poems from T.S. Elliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s play first appeared on May 11,1981 at The New London Theatre. It was directed by Trevor Nunn, associate directed and choreographed by Gillian Lynne, designed by John Napier and orchestrated by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“Cats” has proven to catch lots of people’s attention here on campus. According to Logan, the audition for the play had, “the biggest turnout for students at auditions than any other production. It certainly has sparked a lot of interest in the surrounding communities.
“Cats” is made up of an ensemble cast. There’s not really one particular main character. There is a group of three cats that the play centers off more than others. They are Demeter, Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie. Demeter is played by Alyssa McElfresh, a sophomore from Senatobia.
Megan Clayton, also a sophomore from Holly Springs, portrays Rumpleteazer. Rounding out the trio is Mungojerrie, played by Jamison White, an alumnus of Northwest from Horn Lake.
Perhaps the most recognizable cat is Grizzabella played by another alumna, Gay Lynn Groover. Groover will be singing the hit song “Memory”.
“There are a lot of physical challenges, and that it’s the most active play yet,” said McElfresh.
“There’s a lot of character, but simple character,” said Clayton.
Photo by Justin Ford. Click here to enlarge. |
Jan 29, 
