Alonzo is an ensemble character in the musical Cats. Behind his confident and brave facade is an uncertain tom, though he rises to the occasion when Macavity attacks. The role usually has a few dance features in the show, such as portraying the Rumpus Cat and fighting Macavity.
Personality[]
| “ | Vain, Uncertain, Bravado |
” |
Alonzo is one of the adult toms, usually appearing to be of the same generation as Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger. He puts on a confident and somewhat self-centered front, but is loyal and takes his instruction from the protector of the tribe, Munkustrap. Alonzo shows great deference to Munkustrap and is often interpreted to be the latter's "second-in-command". Whenever there is a threat, he is present to support Munkustrap in defending the tribe - although in some productions the actor may play this as Alonzo sticking closer to Munkustrap out of a need for reassurance. He is usually depicted as having a suave and flirty demeanour, often engaging in intimate interactions with the queens.
Some differences evolved between the character of Alonzo in different productions, depending on whether they were derived from the original Broadway production ('golden' Alonzo) or London ('black and white' Alonzo). (The Broadway revival follows the London tradition for Alonzo.)
Alonzo usually plays a significant role in the fight with Macavity, sometimes physically dragging Demeter away from him or intervening to save Munkustrap. In the original Broadway Production, he takes the majority of the Macavity fight after Munkustrap is knocked out early, and Alonzo is romantically paired with Demeter afterwards. Many 1980s and 1990s productions are based on the Broadway version. In these earlier productions, Alonzo often remains onstage during the first half of "Macavity the Mystery Cat" as well, shadowing Demeter and Bombalurina as they sing, mimicking their dance and movements. Golden Alonzo tends to present as more mature in his social role and a more competent fighter.
London-derived Alonzo presents as a younger, less self-confident character, playing up the "Bravado". He seems to be struggling to find the confidence to live up to Munkustrap's example - he hesitates initially when Macavity attacks the tribe, only finding his courage later in the fight as one of the many members of the Tribe to stand up to Macavity, rather than the principal fighter. This Alonzo is a "Lover not a Fighter", quite confident in his charm and good looks, if not his fighting skills.
In Broadway-derived versions of the show, it is often implied that golden Alonzo and Demeter are a couple, while black and white Alonzo is usually seen to be very close to Cassandra.
For more actors' discussion on the character of Alonzo, See Here.
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.
The same two designs are used as the base for the Japanese designs for Rumpus Cat and Carbucketty respectively.
John Napier's original designs show an interesting story of the development of Alonzo's design, with the labels on the designs crossed out and changed as the project was re-worked.
- The original black and white London design is immediately familiar as the Alonzo we know from the film. This design was originally labelled "Quaxo". However, since Quaxo was combined with Mistoffelees in London and used the "Mistoffelees basic" design, "Quaxo" was crossed out and replaced with "Kitten?" and then "Alonzo". This design was not fully realised for the 1981 Original London Cast, as Alonzo doubled as Rumpus Cat, his ensemble costume appears to have been essentially Rumpus Cat without the "R" on his chest.
- The exact original design was re-worked with additional tan/gold colouring added to the black and white, and is familiar as the Broadway-style black and gold Alonzo costume.
- The third design relating to Alonzo was labelled "Alonzo" originally, but this was changed to just "Basic". This design has served many ensemble cats in different productions - it seems to be the base for some early European Alonzo designs, on Broadway the design was used for Plato ("Basic" referring to it being Macavity's ensemble costume) and in London this design was used for Victor.
In 2021 John Napier further revised his costume designs for Cats, with Alonzo receiving a new, softer makeup design and a costume with more open white space, and hints of soft beige included in the fluffies as well as the makeup.
Gallery[]
Role[]
| Berlin 2002 | ALONZO / CORICOPAT / PLATO / MACAVITY:
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| US Tour 2009 | Alonzo:
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| German Tour 2012 | ALONZO /CORICOPAT /PLATO/MACAVITY
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| Paris 2015 | Alonzo/Coricopat/Plato/Macavity (Male)
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In the original London production, Alonzo played the Rumpus Cat during "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles", but was replaced by Admetus and then George early in the run. When the role of George was retired in 2000, Rumpus Cat was once again played by Alonzo, as is the norm in most replica productions. Late in the London production, Alonzo also took over dancing the pas de deux (known to fans as the "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.
The 1982 Broadway Production gave the majority of the "Macavity Fight" to Alonzo rather than Munkustrap. Unusually, in the Broadway production, Plato took the Rumpus Cat role; however, early US tours gave the role back to Alonzo, while keeping him as the principal fighter.
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 - Carbucketty and Rumpus Cat. Carbucketty is based on the same visual design as 'golden' Alonzo and shares some aspects of his personality (more mature and responsible, and sharing some romantic moments Demeter) while Rumpus Cat resembles black and white Alonzo (visually similar, and a little skittish); but since the Japanese production has a very different history, the similarities should not be over-emphasised.
Etymology[]
"Alonzo" is taken from the T S Eliot poem "The Naming of Cats", where it is mentioned as one of the "sensible, everyday names". Spelling variants of his name include Alonso (Spanish).
Translations[]
The following names have also been used for the character of Alonzo in various international productions:
- Jubalong - Oslo 1985
- Cattivo - Helsinki 1986
- Sambal - Amsterdam 1987
Cast[]
Performers who have played Alonzo
Fandom[]
For fandom headcanons and theories, click here.