What began as a musical after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop became one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history. CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song "Memory."
Produced by Troika Entertainment, LLC, the national tour of CATS is the only production in North American sanctioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber. With original direction by Trevor Nunn, and choreography by Gillian Lynn, this is the CATS credited with the British invasion of Broadway. The national tour of CATS recently celebrated its 25th anniversary season.
On May 11, 1981, CATS opened at the New London Theatre in the West End. Eight years later, it celebrated its first important milestone: after 3,358 performances, CATS became the longest running musical in the history of British theatre. CATS played its final performance on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002.
In 1982, CATS opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and continued to live up to its motto "Now and Forever." On June 19, 1997, CATS became the longest running musical on Broadway. It ended its 18 year run on September 10, 2000.
Based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.
In October of 1991, CATS became the longest continuously touring show in American theatre history. Five continents, 26 countries, over eight and a half million audience members and 25 years later, CATS is still America's most loved family musical. Celebrating not only 25 years but the birth of the musical spectacular, CATS continues to be revolutionary and awe inspiring.
Now that it was been seen by millions of audience members worldwide, it is time to celebrate with the whole family the magic, the mystery, the wonder of CATS.
CATS will appear at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California, Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30. Performances times are Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at $85, $65, $55 and $45. -- www.mccallumtheatre.com
