Drama Club to present musical "Cats"

The Canajoharie—Fort Plain Drama Club performed Andrew Lloyd Webber’s innovative, imaginative musical Cats August 2-4 at the Arkell Performing Arts Center.

The show, based on T. S. Elliot’s "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats", originally opened on Broadway in 1982. It tells the tale of the tribe of Jellicle Cats who gather annually at the Jellicle Ball to celebrate who they are and choose who among them will receive the honor of going to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn.

Sarah Ells directed the production. Sarah begins her fifth year as director of the company having directed numerous successful plays and musicals including the recent debut of Dick Solberg's "E-RI-E." Canajoharie music teacher Sue Crua was the musical director with Norma Bowley as accompanist. Costumes were designed by local resident Shirley Manzer. Garrett Johnson served as stage manager assisted by Grace DiMezza with Emily Dahlin on lights and Austin Vosburgh on sound. Student choreographers Sarah Williams, Matt Soto, Cassie White, Cecilia Hill, and Brianna Beltran brought a fresh perspective to the show's challenging dance numbers.

“We are excited to have brought this brilliantly imaginative musical to the Mohawk Valley,” said Ells recently. “Webber’s work has been performed in over twenty countries, translated into more than ten languages, and has found a unique and cherished place in the hearts of theater audiences worldwide. We were thrilled to sharing this energetic, ingenious, ultimately poignant celebration of diversity with area audiences at an affordable price.”

Cast

• Sarah Williams—Victoria who dances to signal that the Jellicle Ball has begun

• Lauri Dahlin—Jennyanydots who lounges all day and rules the mice and the cockroaches at night

• Adam Barnes—Rum Tum Tugger, a playful prankster that the female cats find extremely attractive and who enjoys being the center of attention

• Laura Wozniak—Grizabella, the Glamour Cat who has lost her sparkle and yearns for acceptance

• Nate Broady—Growltiger and Bustafer Jones, an upper class cat who is respected by all

• Matt Soto—Mungojerrie and Mr. Mistoffelees, the conjuring cat

• Cassie White—Mungleteaser, a fun-loving, frolicking team of pranksters who are always in trouble with the family with whom they live

• Jon Starring—Old Deuteronomy, the lovable patriarch of the Jellicle tribe

• Chris Antis—Munkustrap, leader and protector of the tribe

• Tamara Euler—Bombalurina

• Cecilia Hill—Demeter

• Ashley McDuffy—Jellylorum

• Kelsey Stockwell—Jemima

• Spencer Goodrow—Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat

• CJ Verderber—Gus the Theater Cat

• Melissa Bowley—Mungleteaser

• Julia Ahrens—Grittlebone

• Christina Towse—Quaxo

• Ashley Oeser—Raincore

• Sarah McCaffery—Pouncivle and Siamese

• Hannah Wilday—Siamese

• Matt Snyder—Macavity

• Catie Corrigan—Siamese

• Aurora Caldwell

• Mary Thayer

• Lauren Weaver

• Kristin Staples

• Ashley Broady

• Trinity Oliphant

• Liza Bowley

• Luke Zenir

• Brittani Buccolo

• Brianna Beltran

• Audrey Guiberson

• Veronica O’Brien

• Grace Corrigan, Alyssa Masson, Zoe Plant, Madeline Zenir, Bailey Smith, Morgan and Madison Koelbl, Elijah Bowley, Travis Herringshaw, Samantha Auriemma, Hannah Staples, and Taylor Fencher—poodles, cockroaches, and mice.