[jcstar]

... who would you have in it?

I have always wanted to hear George Micheal sing Skimbleshanks.

Paul McCartney as Gus and Growltiger would be cool.

I'm interested to hear what celeberty voices you'd pick.

Andy.

[Belle]

Bonnie Tyler singing "Memory".

[Rumblepurr]

Belle

Bonnie Tyler AND Jennifer Rush singing as Demeter and Bombalurina doing "Macavity"

Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat.

[jcstar]

Striesand for Grizabella.

Andy.

[MunkustrapQC]

Paul Potts as Growltiger?

[Mungojerrie_rt]

This has a few blanks, and I wouldn't call all of them 'famous' but I reckon this would make a good album. Or even movie really.
Asparagus/Growltiger - Antonio Banderas
Bombalurina - Catherine Zeta-Jones
Bustopher Jones - Nathan Lane
Demeter - Rosario Dawson
Grizabella - Ann Margret
Jellylorum/Giddlebone - Rosemarie Ford
Jemima - Anna Marina
Jennyanydots - Maria Freedman
Mistoffelees -
Mungojerrie -
Munkustrap -
Old Deuteronomy - Simon Pryce
Rumpleteazer - Nadia Komazec
Rum Tum Tugger -
Skimbleshanks -

[Yip1982]

My idea of a studio cast recording of CATS is something similar to the symphonic Les Mis. I would like to have the most competent performers who have appeared in the different international productions, and I would like the recording to feature the revised version of the score (i.e. following the Broadway production except that Mungo & Rumpel should sing their number).
I think it would be wonderful for a fresh, young cast to sing some of the parts, but I guess that Peter Polycarpou might be ideal for Bustopher/Asparagus/Growltiger. I haven't thought about Grizabella, but Betty Buckley could interpret the role differently from on the OBC. I wonder what you would make of an Elvis-impersonating Tugger (hopefully Robert Torti, Dean Collinson or Johnny Seaton), and I know I would like Kaho Shimada (Eponine in symphonic Les Mis) as Demeter, partnered by Marlene Danielle as Bombalurina. For Munkustrap it would most likely be Jack Rebaldi, and I hope that Nicholas Pound could take the role of Old Deuteronomy.
I would like it to be a complete recording with the revisions that made the score so finished.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Personally I wouldn't put in Betty Buckley. I've never been fond of her. And there is a reason they got Elaine Paige back to do the film.
For Former cast members from international Productions I would have, by singing only:

Asparagus/Growltiger - Stephan Draklich (Original Hamburg)
Bombalurina - Rosemarie Ford
Bustopher Jones - James Barron
Demeter - Sharron Lee Hill (OLC)
Grizabella - Elaine Paige
Jellylorum/Giddlebone - Marina Prior (Original Australian)
Jemima - Hellen Massie (Filme Voice)
Jennyanydots -
Mistoffelees - Wayne Sleep (OLC)
Mungojerrie - Don't know his name, Dutch tour guy
Munkustrap - Jeff Shankley (OLC)
Old Deuteronomy - Ken Page
Rumpleteazer - Same as Mungo
Rum Tum Tugger - John Partirdge
Skimbleshanks - David Arneil (Film Voice)

[Flitterbug]

I want to hear a friend of mine singing Jemima's part, but it's kind of irrelevant to say that since she's not famous and nobody knows her. But she does have a beautiful bell voice soprano, and character.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

I know someone who would fit the Jemima character well. But she's a low mezzo, so not the voice.

The girl who played Demeter in Harvest Rain's production. She has the best voice, especially singing Grizabella. So put her in the recording.

[Spanish_Rumple]

Madonna for Bombalurina!!!!!!! or for Demeter aswell. Julie Andrews for Jenny Anydotts. Jim Carrey for Mungojerrie (3 hurrays for Cuban Pete!!!).
Rum Tum Tugger- Rodolfo Chikilicuatre (our Spanish singer for Eurovision. see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT-rMZ_khbk&feature=related)
Hummm... oh yes! Old Deut - Barry White
... I can't think of anyone else...

[Yip1982]

Oh... I thought Buckley at this age could mature into the role of Grizabella and bring something different to the role, but never mind. I will take back my choice and might I venture Chrissie Hammond, one of the recent Grizabellas who has sung the role during the later years of the show in the West End? In the same token might Grant Smith (the original Australian Gus) be suitable for Bustopher/Asparagus/Growltiger? I'm very sure he might be suitable.
I'd love to cast an understated yet perky performer/singer as Mistoffelees. Currently I haven't got any names, but I think Gen Horiuchi might be suitable. And I wonder what you'll make of David Easter (Pharaoah in 1991 Joseph revival with Donovan) as Tugger?
And, come to think of it, Michael Ball might make an excellent Munkustrap. Although it's possible to consider Michael Gruber and Jack Rebaldi, I've felt that Michael Ball is competent enough for the role. His voice just seems to suit the part, and his experience as a Lloyd Webber alumnus would suit him well here.

[jcstar]

Can Wayne Sleep sing? Misty doesn't utter a word during his song on the OLC.

Andy.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

In the OLC Quaxo sings the male part of Gumbie cat, and Old Deuteronomy is sung by Quaxo, Munkustrap and George. I love John Chester's voice as George in Old D, and in Skimbleshanks which he sings with Tantomile.

[jcstar]

Funny, I thought a female sang the main part of Gumbie.

Andy.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

He does have a lighter voice, but he sounds male to me.

I'm assuming you don't have a legitimate copy of the cd, or'd you'd have the song list with the characters.

*Hides vast pile of CATS music with only 2 bought soundtracks*

[jcstar]

I just checked. You're right. Oh well, I don't listen to that cast anymore. Never really liked it.

Anyway... I still like the idea of Barbra Striesand singing Grizabella.

Colm Wilkinson as Old D?

Andy.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Tim Curry as Gus/Growltiger.

[MunkustrapQC]

[Vice]

Blame all of the teachers sudddenly thinking that Hairspray is the best movie for us to watch EVAR...

Zac Efron as OBC!Misto. (i.e. One who actually SINGS.)

*hides*

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Any Misto can sing. David Atkins (OAC) did and Oliver Toth (Tent Tour) did. Both sang the secod verse of their song. I just depends on how well the dancer can sing.

[Vice]

[Spanish_Rumple]

Awwww don't be so serious... Try to be more creative and crazy. You're all putting the names of "the right singer" who's got "the right tone" for "the right character"...boriiiiing!

Be crazier, I did it!

Hey look Al Pacino could be Gus!!

[Alonza0]

Woah, I totally missed this post! How could I?

Steven Page from the Barenaked Ladies is my perfect Tugger. Not so much as far as looks go, but this is a studio version, right?

Kate Pierson from the B-52's would be my ideal Bomba. In her younger days she had the looks for it too.

And Judith Holofernes would be my Rumpleteazer. If it were a German cast recording, don't know if she could pull off a Cockney accent, her English sounds pretty German.

When I think of more, I'll get them up.

[Lars]

I'd like a complete recording of Cats, with the libretto used in London around 1997 where there where a few spoken lines.

Asparagus/Growltiger -
Bombalurina - Sally Taylor
Bustopher Jones -
Demeter - Sandra Kater
Grizabella - Sally Ann Triplett
Jellylorum/Giddlebone - Teresia Potgieter
Jemima - Alexandra Jay
Jennyanydots - Nadja Solovieva
Mistoffelees - Wayne Sleep (OLC)
Mungojerrie - Drew Varley
Munkustrap - Rüdiger Resckhe
Old Deuteronomy - Barry Haywood
Rumpleteazer - Jo Gibb
Rum Tum Tugger - John Partridge or Tee jaye
Skimbleshanks - Nigel Garton

[Mungojerrie_rt]

What was spoken apart from Naming and the Invitation segments?

[Belle]

(after Grizabella's first entrance) Jennyanydots: Pay no attention to her! (sings) Bustopher Jones....

*crash bang wallop* (just before Mungojerrie and Rumpelteaser) Munkustrap: Stop! Wait! Maybe it isn't Macavity!

*crash bang wallop* (beginning of Jellicle Ball) Deutoronomy: Don't be afraid.... Don't be afraid... (sings) Jellicle Cats come out tonight...

(Intro to Pekes and Pollicles) Munkustrap: Hurry! Make ready! Remember what I told you to do!

(intro to Gus, the Theatre Cat) Deutoronomy: Now, let us consider Gus.


I think there were a couple more... Macavity had one? Something like "I'll be back for you!" at Demeter.

Basically, they were pointing out the bleedin obvious. Originally they were put in for the matinees to help explain the story to kids who weren't concentrating, then they were added for all shows. "Stop! Wait! Maybe it isn't Macavity!" is the most mockable, when you add in tone of voice... They're really not necessary, and mostly rather cringe-worthy.

[Lars]

I liked them for some reason.

Before when Quaxo sang Gumbie, Munkus asked "Well then, Mistoffelees who do you think it will be?" and then Misto started the Gumbie song.

Old Deut after Moments and before Memory, "Tell them child/Jemima"

can't think of anymore

[Mungojerrie_rt]

I don't mind Macavity's line to Demeter.

If I was too add lines in, it would be the running commentary that Harvest Rain put in the Beetles' Tattoo. Jenny said things like:

Aren't they Marvelous?!
I taught them everything they know!
Left! *points right* Right *points left* Oh, that way!
Thank you my dears! And Applause!

[Vice]

[Aella]

Máté Kaméras would be a great Tugger, IMO.

[Rumblepurr]

Belle? The line that Macavity shouts at Demeter is that... Just a bit of a pause, though... Very direct pointing at her while she cringes...

"I'll be back... for you!"

Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat

[Peritombry]

I was lucky enough to see Chrissie Hammond, John Partridge and Peter Polycarpou in the same cast. They were all excellent. And I agree with David Hyde Pierce he'd be hilarious.