Broadway 2016

The first Cats Broadway revival opened in summer 2016, produced by The Shubert Organization and Nederlander Organization. Previews began on 14 July 2016 at the Neil Simon Theatre, and opened on 31st July.

The show is developed from the 2014 London revival. Trevor Nunn, the original director, has directed the revival, and the original designs of John Napier are being used. Andy Blankenbuehler has been responsible for controversial new choreography, firmly rooted in Gillian Lynne's original work, however Gillian Lynne has not directly been involved with the development of this production.

Production Specifics
Many changes were made to Cats for the production, mainly modifed/new choreography and slight lyric changes to songs. The Beetles' Tattoo section in "The Old Gumbie Cat" has been removed, replaced by the cats tap dancing wearing costumes of hubcaps and 'cleaning' the stage under her direction. "Growltiger's Last Stand" is completely removed, with Gus performing "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" (moved to Act 2) as a re-imagined Rumpus Cat. This sequence is performed to resemble an acted out performance involving the tribe rather than a dream sequence like Growltiger. Some changes made previously for the London Palladium production, such as "Street Cat Tugger" and extended moments for Grizabella, were not carried over into this production.

The production's set is based on that of the London Palladium production, with the car registration plate NAP 70 (the same number as the Palladium set). The props and costumes were produced by the London-based makers of the Palladium/UK Tour costumes, rather than Parsons-Meares who made the original Broadway and US Tour costumes. The costume designs are similar to those used on the Palladium production, with certain costumes being further developed; for instance Jennyanydots' basic costume now echoes the spots on her featured Gumbie Cat costume. Tugger now has a new separate ensemble costume for Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats rather than wearing his Tugger unitard without the large mane.

The Broadway Revival uses a combination of character names from the previous London and Broadway productions. Sillabub is used rather than Jemima, Plato rather than Admetus, and Tumblebrutus rather than Bill Bailey, as is tradition established by previous US productions. However, Carbucketty now exists alongside Pouncival, with the two being separate characters (the former using the London Carbucketty design, the latter using the George design). The ensemble identities during "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" for Old Deuteronomy, Asparagus and Tugger have also been named Victor, Peter, and Bill Bailey, respectively.

Reviews
Telegraph.co.uk - ***, not impressed with Leona Lewis but liked the rest.

Variety.com - Very positive apart from Leona Lewis not being in the same league as Betty Buckley et al.

Guardian.com - ***, Kitsch, dated... yet strangely adorable.

NYTimes.com - Positive but critical of Leona Lewis.

Daily Fail.co.uk - A tedious, clawing mess.

NBCNewyork.com - Complimentary to Leona Lewis.

TheWrap.com - Dated, not updated enough.

Hollywood Reporter.com - "Fans will lick it up", not very different to original.

Vulture.com - "both pretentious and déclassé"

Creative Team


Director: Trevor Nunn

Choreographer: Andy Blankenbuehler

Associate Director & Choreographer: Chrissie Cartwright (recreating Gillian Lynne's original choreography)

Costume & Set Designer: John Napier

Associate Costume Designer: Lisa Zinni

Costume Supervisor: Tracy Stiles

Wigs made by Jenny Dean and Charles Wright

Make-up developed by Karen Dawson and Nancy Powell

Associate Scenic Designer: Alan Walker

Musical Supervisor/Director: Kristen Blodgette

Lighting Designer: Natasha Katz

Sound Designer: Mick Potter

Cast

 * 1) Click here for the Casting Call for this production.

Links
Official website

Playbill.com announcement

May 2016 Interview - Andy Blankenbuehler with Broadway Direct

June 2016 Interview - Gillian Lynne and Broadway Revival, The Stage