Cats (musical)

jueves, 27 de noviembre de 2008

Cats was first shown in London's West End, at the New London Theatre, on May 11, 1981. It had a troubled beginning with Judi Dench cast in the role of Grizabella, which was subsequently taken over by Elaine Paige when Judi snapped a tendon during rehearsals prior to the London opening. The role was beefed up for Paige and 'Memory' (originally to be sung by Geraldine Gardner and cast in the role of the red cat Bombalurina) was given to Paige. It was originally produced onstage by Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group. It was directed by Trevor Nunn, associate director and choreographer Gillian Lynne, designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey. It played a total of 8,949 performances in London. Its final performance in London's West End was on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002, and broadcast on a large screen in Covent Garden to the delight of fans who could not acquire a ticket for the final performance. It held the record as London's longest running musical until October 8, 2006, when it was surpassed by Les Misérables.


The original 1981 London cast of Cats.The show made its debut on Broadway on October 7 1982, at the Winter Garden Theatre with the same production team. On June 19 1997, Cats became the longest-running musical in Broadway history with 6,138 performances. It played a total of 7,485 performances in New York. Its New York record was surpassed on January 9 2006, by The Phantom of the Opera, which was also composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Cats' final performance on Broadway was on September 10 2000.