[jcstar]

When CATS closed, were there any original castmember still with the show?

Someone told me that the original Victoria was the only original member left when it closed. Is this true?

Andy.

[MsJellicle]

The only original cast member who stayed with the show from opening to close is Marlene Danielle. She started off as a swing and shortly moved into the role of Bombalurina which she remained as for the rest of her term with the Broadway cast when it closed in 2000.

~MsJellicle

[SadieCass]

Marlene Danielle was the only original cast member left when it closed. She started out as a swing (I believe) but within the first couple of years became Bombalurina, whom she played until CATS closed. She was the epitomy of Bomba every time I saw her...and a very sweet person!

[Pounce]

Oh my word! Has anyone stayed with a show longer than that? Most actors move on after a year or so because they want to do new things.

[jcstar]

[SadieCass]

No. Only two Americans are in the film version (I believe? It's been a while since my head has been deeply into the show). Jacob Brent and Ken Page. The Bomba in the video is Rosemarie Ford.

She's fuzzy, but Marlene's behind ALW in this pic from Ms. J's site (hope you don't mind, hon)



And a link to a pic at Idio's site...a desktop it looks like...but this is one of the most commonly used pics of Marlene:
http://www.geocities.com/idiosylphjr/marlinedesktop.gif

[Smudge]

There are three Bway Cats in the video. Ken Page, Jacob Brent, and Michael Gruber

[SadieCass]

Thanks, Smudge...I had a good feeling I was forgetting someone

[Alonza0]

Another image of Ms. Danielle, slightly less blury. That one's from Hui's Junkyard.

[Smudge]

[DramaRob]

I know for a fact that the lady who plays, I believe the Confidante, in Phantom has been in the show since it opened in 1988. She obviously hasn't been in every single performance, but it's a whole bunch. They interviewed her when Phantom became the longest running show. She said she still watches the finale in the wings almost every night. So, yeah she might have Ms. Danielle beat. I have no idea if she's still in it or not.