Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,
the record-breaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in
over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North
America! Featuring new sound design, direction and choreography for a
new generation — experience CATS for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again!
The
original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway’s Winter Garden
Theatre, where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS
was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really
Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization.
CATS returned
to Broadway in 2016 in a stunning revival at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Preview performances began Thursday, July 14, 2016, and officially
opened on Sunday, July 31, 2016. CATS played its final performance on Saturday, December 30, 2017 after 16 previews and 593 regular performances.
The creative team for the new production of CATS includes John Napier (Scenic & Costume Design), Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), Mick Potter (Sound Design), choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, and direction by Trevor Nunn.
Since its world premiere, CATS
has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 15
languages, and has been seen by more than 73 million people worldwide.
Originally directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by John Napier, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Abe Jacob, CATS
opened in the West End in 1981. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1982
where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Both the
original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best
Cast Album. CATS hit song “Memory” has been recorded by
over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace
and Barry Manilow. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical held the title of
longest-running musical in Broadway history until it was surpassed in
2006 by Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The original
Broadway production closed on September 10, 2000 and is currently the
fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. This marks the first
tour of the first-ever Broadway revival of the iconic musical.
The first-ever, live-action film adaptation of CATS, produced by Universal Pictures and Working Title, will open on Dec. 20, 2019.
The revival of CATS is produced by The Shubert Organization, James L. Nederlander, The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh.