Alonzo

Alonzo is an ensemble character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. His name is mentioned in "The Naming of Cats" musical number. He usually has a few dance features in the show, such as portraying Rumpus Cat and fighting Macavity.

Personality
"Vain, Uncertain, Bravado"

- Three Words

Alonzo is a mature adult, of the same generation as Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger. He displays a confident, but somewhat self-centered set of attributes, but is loyal and takes his instruction from the protector of the tribe, Munkustrap. He is observed onstage to have a relaxed, flirty character, often engaging in intimate interactions with Victoria, Jemima, and Bombalurina.

In some Broadway-based productions, Alonzo takes the majority of the fight with Macavity, and remains onstage shadowing the girls as they sing Macavity. In this version of the show, it is strongly suggested that he and Demeter are a couple. In London-based productions, Alonzo is often seen very close to Cassandra.

Role
"Very good Dancer. Ensemble baritone."

- Casting Calls

Alonzo is often interpreted to be the "second in command" to the Jellicle tribe. Whenever there is a threat, he is present to support Munkustrap in defending the tribe. He sometimes plays a significant role in the fight with Macavity, rescuing Demeter from his clutches. In the Original Broadway production, and those derived from it, he takes the majority of the Macavity fight after Munkustrap is knocked out early. In some earlier productions, Alonzo dances behind Demeter during her verse of Macavity the Mystery Cat, mimicking her movements.

In the original London Production, Alonzo played Rumpus Cat, but was replaced by Admetus and then George early in the run. When Steven Wayne left the production towards the end of the run, Rumpus was one again played by Alonzo, as is the norm in most replica productions. Unusually, in the Broadway production, Plato took the Rumpus Cat role; however, early US Tours gave the role to Alonzo.

Late in the London Production, Alonzo took over dancing the pas-de-deux "Mating Dance" in the Jellicle Ball with Victoria, a role previously danced in London by Admetus, and given to various characters (but rarely Alonzo) worldwide.

Alonzo appears in almost every major production of the show, the only exception being in Japan, where his role is filled by two ensemble cats - Gilbert and Rumpus Cat.

Appearance
Alonzo is usually one of the easiest characters to pick out in London-based productions, because of his very strong block black and white coloring. He is a patched tom with a striking big black splotch on the left of his face, curled corner of his right eye, and a teardrop-shaped splotch that sweeps down from his nose to the right corner of his mouth.

In Broadway and subsequent productions that copied that style, he is usually depicted as being black and gold/tan, a fluffier, scruffier look than the neat and elegant black and white version.

Fandom
For fandom headcanons and theories, click here.