User blog:Harry Vallet/Centerstage Academy

Produced by Centerstage Academy in Yorktown, this production of CATS is set during the time of both the New York Draft Riots and the American Civil War. Official Flyer by Harry Vallet.

Production Details
This production makes a great departure from the norm in terms of designs, as all characters are portrayed fully clothed, and far more human than feline in appearance. Characters are based on P.T. Barnum's Circus troupe, as well as other 19th century characters, such as Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman. Jennyanydots is portrayed here as a drag queen. Gus/Growltiger and Bustopher Jones become separate characters, along with Bustopher Jones obviously replacing George for the 25-member cast, which was first orchestrated back in the London Production back in 1981. Jellylorum is also portrayed as a kitten, and therefore might be the granddaughter of Gus due to their striking tabby resemblances.

"Pekes and Pollicles" and "Growltiger" are included in their usual places. The duet in the Growltiger scene is "Billy Macaw", and Rumpus Cat is played by Jemima as part of the play by Munkustrap (who gives her a junior-sized "Zorro" costume to wear for the Rumpus Cat). There are no significant cuts.

Their are four main acts that go in order respectively:
 * Animal Training (or "Critter Training) - Performed by Jennyanydots
 * Professional Regurgitation - Performed by Bustopher Jones
 * Sideshow - Performed by Gus/Growltiger; assisted by Jellylorum/Griddlebone
 * Equestrian Drill Team - Conducted by Skimbleshanks

Set and Venue
The set of this production of CATS is portrayed as an interior of a circus tent, featuring a theatre-like arch standing between two halves of the ring. At the beginning of this show, the set can only be hidden by a painted curtain displaying the New York Draft Riots. In "The Journey to the Heaviside Layer", the curtain in the arch also opens to reveal a painting of the Union Soldiers fighting in the Civil War which is portrayed as the Heaviside Layer, which Grizabella was granted access to. During the number, "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", a sign saying "P.T. Barnum's Circus" unexpectedly falls to the floor in mid-song, revealing the show's classic logo, "CATS", in the process. A live orchestra (portrayed by mice) can also be seen on top of the arch.

Story
Though not heavy-handed, this production does emphasize some plot threads a little more strongly than most replica productions: notably, the threat of Macavity, Munkustrap's ring-mastering duties, and Grizabella's memories and growth. No dialogue is added: the effect is only in acting and staging, and the themes are linked in to the idea of growth and rebirth overall.

The show begins with Jemima, who is portrayed as the main protagonist of this production, avoiding casualty from the Draft Riots, only to bump into Macavity abducting Demeter, whom she saved from his clutches and brought home for her to regroup with the rest of Munkustrap's circus troupe. She is soon dragged under the troupe's wing, introduced with the main acts performed by Jennyanydots, Bustopher Jones, Gus, and Skimbleshanks, as well as other characters such as Rum Tum Tugger, Grizabella, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Old Deuteronomy, and finally, Mistoffelees.

Jemima and Macavity
As Jemima is portrayed as a little girl whose parents were seemingly lost in the Draft Riots, Macavity's appearance looks similar to the infamous William "Bill the Butcher" Pooler. During the overture, Jemima meets Macavity rampaging New York with a torch to smoke non-rioters out of hiding; Demeter happens to be one of the non-rioters attempting to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, but wasn't quick enough to put out the fire as Macavity seizes the opportunity to kidnap her. Jemima, however, manages to save Demeter by spraying the fire extinguisher at Macavity, forcing him to lose his grasp on her and retreat. Again, in the Macavity scare after 'Pekes and Pollicles', Macavity really does appear onstage: he attempts to attack the troupe, but Old Deuteronomy manages to drive him off, with a little help from Jemima, who recognized the enemy like before. When it comes to the actual Macavity fight in the second act, with Deuteronomy gone, Munkustrap has to fight Macavity in a swordfight until the antagonist himself is stabbed to death in the back with his own knife by Jemima, ultimately defeating him for good.

Finally, after Grizabella ascends to the Heavyside Layer, Old Deuteronomy lets Munkustrap adopt Jemima as his daughter, having her join the circus for the act of being a good Samaritan.

Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy
Grizabella's appearance is far more similar to Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist who freed her people from slavery, even during the American Civil War. During the prelude of "Memory", Grizabella oversees the vision of her younger self being beaten and whipped by her various masters, who forced her to work in their farmland; one day, an irate overseer threw a heavy metal weight intending to hit another enslaved person, but hit her instead, causing her to suffer a traumatic head wound. The staging suggests that Grizabella isn't just singing about the idea of memory in the abstract, but living her own memories again and changing how she thinks about herself and her own life.

Old Deuteronomy is far more similar to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States who also helped free the slaves during the Civil War, forcing the hapless confederacy to surrender their land back to the nation. As Grizabella turns to Old Deuteronomy for help, with a little support from Jemima, Old Deuteronomy agrees to help her save her people. Munkustrap's signal, the troupe dons Grizabella with a Union uniform and rifle and sends her off to the Heaviside Layer to join the Civil War. Before she goes, Grizabella salutes Old Deuteronomy, and the troupe responds with their salute as they wish her good luck on their journey.

Character Relationships
As in most productions, these are up to audience interpretation. Coricopat and Tantomile have matching outfits, as usual. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer also have matching "clown" outfits, but different colors.

Growltiger and Griddlebone have a much warmer and more sincere attitude to each other than the rivalry of most replica productions. Griddlebone appears by Growltiger's side during the introduction scene from "Growltiger's Last Stand". She also sits on top of a piano which Growltiger plays at a literal bar scene where their duet, "The Ballad of Billy McCaw", takes place. Their relationship is far less burlesque than usual, and his death scene is much more intense; the Siamese is portrayed as an angry mob carrying pitchforks and torches, capturing Growltiger, and then, hanging him on the gallows.