[Bill Sykes]

I know nothing about Cats and I was just offered the part of Old Deuteronomy. Can someone please fill me in on anything they can about this part? Major songs, range, ect...

[Rumblepurr]

Old Deuteronomy is the "Jellicle Leader" who can be close to shaman of the Tribe (depends on your director). He is depicted as a Maine Coon - a large brown/black tabby - and he bascially is an operatic tenor...

He does not have solos until the Second Act when he does Moments of Happiness. His only other solo is Ad-dressing of Cats. His range is from a B below the Treble staff to a G atop the staff. However, Ken Page (Original Broadway Old D) hits a B above the staff on the very last note, which is sustained for 12 beats. He is included in other songs.

On very basic trait to observe - He is very visible, and requires a stage presence. He can be jovial at times, and then be very serious... depending upon who is around him, and the interpretation of your director.

For the sysnopsis of the musical, do this:

Go to SHOWS up in the yellow section and left click.
In the list of shows, left click on CATS.
Of the red buttons, left click on SYNOPSIS.

That will give you a rundown on the show.

[Pounce]

I guess his major songs are "Moments of Happiness" and "The Addressing of Cats". In "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", I recall one line sung is "Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer". He also sings a few lines in the song "Old Deuteronomy".

By tradition, during intermission, Old Deut remains on stage. Not exactly sure why. He sends Grizabella to the Heaviside Layer. He departs when kidnapped (or catnapped ) but is later returned by Mr. Mistoffelees.

Pretty good role to have. The part is not in the National Tour by any chance?

[Moongewl]

Old D is a Maine Coon? I thought he was just supposed to be a big, old neighborhood "mutt." You learn something new every day.
I think he's onstage through intermission because he's the patriarch of the Jellicle clan(and all the cats kind of come wandering in towards the end of intermission on the tour, anyway). He's wise and worldly.

[Rumblepurr]

I believe Old Deuteronomy is on during intermission to "meditate..." After the Tribe returns to the stage, he launches into "Moments of Happiness."

(Actually, I think the old guy is just taking a nap during the only time he can get one...)

Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat

[MsJellicle]

Rumblepurr,
Just curious... Did you hear that Old D was a Maine Coon from some offical source? I've always considered him to be a long-haired persian (i.e.~ the following picture)




~MsJ

[tmg]

I actually have a ragdoll that looks a lot like Old Deuteronomy (except she has points)

[Rumblepurr]

The reason I see Old Dee as a Maine Coon probably comes from the way I look at Ken Page. Ken is BIG... And the Maine Coon is the biggest of the cat breeds, and he is colored very much like Old D...



These are some of the examples of the Maine Coon. As the center one demonstrates, and the one of the right, we come pretty close to the way one usually sees Old Deuteronomy. Notice the "beard"?

If I really am misrepresenting him, I apologize...

Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat

[Jemima57]

[Natasha]

[littlgriz]

hes a grate leader hes like a grand father to most of the triibe

[Idiosylph]

Most everything's been hit, so I'll just add that Deuteronomy isn't a dance intensive character. He does often appear in a chorus costume for "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" and will exit during "The Naming of Cats." During these two songs he does some moving around, but nothing a non-dancer couldn't pick up. After he exits, he doesn't come back on until "Old Deuteronomy."

He's the patriarch, and often has the kittens and queens sitting with him while other cats do their songs. Generally Old Deuteronomy looks like he knows Grizabella, and generally won't turn away from her like most of the other cats.

[Bill Sykes]

It's a youth show at a local community theatre. The 1st production in the area I guess. I'm still not sure if i'll be able to do it b/c I need to get a job and all that. Thanks everyone though, for all this great information.

[Jemima57]

[Kragey]

OH MY GOD, CUTE KITTENS. :: snuggles ::

As for Old D, I have one word: BASS.

[Bill Sykes]

[Smudge]

[Kragey]

I've always seen a bass cast in that part. That doesn't say much about the range though, because my brother's a true bass and he can do some tenor.

[Rumblepurr]

[Kragey]

[Belle]

Deut needs the vocal tone generally associated with a bass range, but the dots are relatively high... He's a mature, deep character, and needs a voice to match.