*asterix*
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Trip Report - April 7th, Nanaimo BCCATS Saturday April 07 2007 - Nanaimo, BC
((Alrighty, kids, this one is a bit of a beast, but I've spent the better part of the evening since getting back to Vancouver writing it, and I'd like to get it posted before I pass out... which should be in about 5 minutes as of posting this.... good luck!! - A))
CAST LIST: ( + denotes and understudy)
Alonzo - Luke McMollum
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones / Growltiger - Christopher E. Sidoli
Bombalurina - Delaine Andrzejewski
Cassandra - Casey Hill
Demeter - Lisa Karlin
+ Jellylorum - Julia Lancione
Jennyanydots - Cara Michelle Fish
Grizabella - Angie Smith
Mistoffelees - Ryan Patrick Farrell
Mungojerrie / Genghis - Mark Donaldson
Munkustrap - Ian Laskowski
Old Deuteronomy - Phillip Peterson
+ Plato/Macavity - AJ Wilson
Pouncival - Trevor Downey
Rumpelteazer - Joanna Silvers
Rum Tum Tugger - Dave Schoonover
Sillabub - Samantha Shafer
Skimbleshanks - Felix Hess
Tumblebrutus - Nicholas McGough
+ Victoria - Molly winter Stewart
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First off:
THEY MADE THE COSTUMES PRETTY AGAIN!!!
...
*breathes in... breathes out* Now that I've got that out of my system. Ahem. 
Aside from distinctly 3 faded looking bases (very pale yellow under Demeter's hatching, barely yellow at all in Jellylorum's unitard base, and Bombalurina with large "white" spots on her body in areas other than her "bibs"), most of the unitards appeared to have been made or retouched quite recently. Lots of lovely, bold patterns and DARK, distinctive blacks. Rumpelteazer's stripes are getting a little bigger and bolder - she's not London-style yet (no sponging, thanks) but she's certainly not going to be confused with Victoria again so long as her costume stays bright like this. Mungojerrie was UBER-FLUFFAY! ... This makes me happy. ^_^ Quite a few of the patterns appear to have gotten some what blockier - Alonzo's markings are not as intricate as I've seen them before but they are at least standing out again, and his warm palette is looking distinctly different from the cooler colours on Plato, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus. Pouncival doesn't seem to have as much little splashes of orange this time, but his make up Incorporated some crazy "star-burst" line work in the eye area. Cassandra was looking just lovely; airbrushed and sleek, her brown portions are nice and chocolaty dark again, though not quite dark enough that the black shoes didn't stand out a bit... Very few of the shoes appeared to have been painted/altered from their original colours this time, though.
The wigs are looking thick and full - Bombalurina and Rum Tum Tugger are sporting some nice, massive do's, demeter is fluffy once more, while Jellylorum has been made over again to a rounded, small wig with tiny ears that slope down; it's definitely different, but I found myself really liking it, actually. It gives her a nice distinctive profile in this cast of puff-ball heads (though, don't get me wrong, any one who's seen my costuming endeavors knows how I looove puff-ball head wigs  ). A very stand out example of the "puff-ball syndrome" would currently be Victoria, whose head came off as a perfectly round sphere almost the width of her shoulders, broken only by a delicate, long lashed face... And I'm sure there were ears in there somewhere Sometimes you could see the little tips sticking out.
There was a random stray hair sticking straight out to the side on Cassandra's wig. It wasn't visible often, but briefly comical. A fair-sized tuft of Skimble-wig was sticking up, out of style, over his left ear through most of the show, too. My room mate would giggle whenever he really got moving (very agile, kinetic performer) because it would bounce up and down... What can I say? animators enjoy secondaries
Tails are looking fresh, too. A lot of them appear to have been constructed with the clumps of lightest colour forming a kind of "spiral" down the length. Not the first time I've seen the look but perhaps the most I've seen it among any one set of costumes that I can think of.
Make up's had a re-approach from the last time I saw the show. Previously base work was getting muted and eye-lining and the drawing in of a nose didn't seem to be enforced... Now details are drawn in such bright colours and heavy, dark black lines as to be border-line clownish on a few faces... And I can NOT complain one bit! The designs might not be what fan-costumers and photo collectors would desire to see up close or in still frame, but they carry through the house marvelously! I don't imagine a single person actually looking at the stage had any difficulty telling that each character had eyes, a distinctly feline nose and mouth, and cat-like shaping on their face. Very cool.
From as close as we were (3 rows back) certain aesthetics did fail just a little: Jennyanydots lips were drawn on much larger than her actual mouth. This only looked strange in profile, though, as stage lighting washed the physical lip-line out completely, and from a little farther back MsJellicle reported that she and Nic-ko-las could not tell either way so, again, the make up carrying through the house was effective.
Not all the details were made to look over-done, either: Skimbleshanks signature cheek stripes worked out beatifully in this bold style. His whole make up, really, was my favourite as far as combining a lovely design and flattering the actor's face.
Sort of a side note but related: How long were those ladies lashes?? Really? ;D Cassandra, Victoria and Rumpelteazer were each sporting a set of false lashes that must have been 1" long, and boy did those eyes *pop* in a very appealing, very feminine way because of it.
Random detail: the Tugger unitard appears to have been constructed of several separate pieces this time. The black "body" is all one pieces, up over the shoulders and down to the lower thighs, but then the ends of the arms and legs were separate pieces sewn on along edges cut in a long zig-zag, roughly following the edges where the leopard print fades in to the black. The stray "spots" that show through the black here and there were also big rectangular patches sewn on to the base unitard. My guess as to this construction would be that it facilitates dying the leopard-print patches on a lighter lycra while the body is always constructed of more colour-fast black lycra? *shrug*
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Regarding the performance:
Wow.
What else can I say? What did I manage to blurt out at the stage door that was completely inadequate because I was, quite honestly, taken completely by surprise for the first time in years, in many ways that I am only too thrilled to report?
First, a bit of a downer, for contrast sake:
Two years ago I was almost embarrassed to be in my seat for a performance - though there had certainly been stand out performances, there was an over-all feeling from the stage of exasperation and boredom. I saw 2 nights of that run and I can always hope that they were just both off-nights (Troika puts their casts through some gruelling hauls, I know), but I could not deny the comments I heard among the audience around me, particularly as we exited the theatre. There were many people seeing CATS for the first time those nights who were NOT going to bother to see it again.
I had gone to the stage door to express my appreciation for those performances that had stood out to be and I am as ever grateful to the performers who show a love for what they do, but by the second night I was also leaving with a heavy feeling in my gut that CATS may have really begun to drag on too long. It felt like no one wanted to be a part of it, on stage or in the audience, not that badly, any more...
It is with utmost pleasure that I can say, THIS year, such was anything but the case. Gruelling schedule (many performers were so kind as to stop for signatures & a chat, but they had to dash quite soon to get on the bus. It pulled away before our group was even finished taking in some air after the show, travelling through the night to another city to perform the next day) or no, this cast DELIVERED.
Not every performance was necessarily "the best" I've ever seen of the *role* ("best" being relative, of course, taking in my own formed opinions over seeing the show many times & beyond the control of any single performer by now), but everyone seemed intent to *commit* to their part. There was a certainty to *every* character that I have not seen since, perhaps, the first cast of this tour or even Broadway. Not every character was portrayed in the fashion preferentially amalgamated in my head after 22 shows, but even the surprising departures were made thoroughly enjoyable because there was no room left to question the definition of *that* character *that* evening. I applaud this enthusiasm with all of my own
Perhaps reflection through another's eyes, too? My room mate was seeing CATS for the first time yesterday. She has lived with me for nearly a year and, while I do not think I let it get over-the-top in my day-to-day life, she has been witness to some moments of... enthused fandom. She sees the brochures and collected photos, the costumes and set pieces, she raids my sketchbook as often as I do hers. I have not felt the need to explain this fandom to anyone for some time now, it's just one of my things, and to her credit she has always just accepted it. Yesterday, though, after hearing various quiet "ooh"s and "wow"s and "pretty..."s from the seat next to mine throughout the first act, as the lights came up at intermission and I asked her if she was enjoying herself, she smiled excitedly and nodded, "I get it, now!"
Funny, endearing, succinct, & awesome.
I know the kids and their respective guardians in the seats surrounding us were wowed and had a fantastic time. The crowds leaving the theatre were all smiling and discussing admirably.
As I was jotting down the notes for this report in our room last night, Jess lay curled up & uttering random moments she had enjoyed with a huge grin on her sleepy face, practically effervescing. I could not be happier to have had the chance to share this show with someone close to me, and the many someones also in the audience, the way it was performed yesterday 
Thank you, thank you to the cast & crew for putting on a most magnificent show. Good on ya!
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Verbose gushing aside, some short-form goodness about the actual show, you say? Sure thing
ACT ONE
Overture - the CATS are back in the isles, whoo!! I was a little disappointed at the tin-iness of the overall instrumentals as they bounced around the auditorium strangely, but once I learned to listen past it things were all good, save the odd distracting echo.
For the first time in 22 shows, I was successfully snuck up upon during "green eyes", too! Usually I'm watching the nearest cats so intently that I see them coming - to no detriment of that thrill at all, of course. This time, however, I got distracted as Bombalurina swooped near and I turned to oogle a bit ... then was suddenly aware of a shadow in my peripheral vision. I turned to a face full o' Plato staring right at me (!!) from bare inches away and I could feel my eyes bug out and my jaw just drop, "thud". Priceless face, perhaps. 22 shows worth of "experience" as not to be completely stunned by this sort of thing? Bah! Apparently not. He reached a "paw" to me and I took an earnest moment to recover before I could muster the neuro-activity sufficient to reach out in appropriate response. Haha. feel free to giggle at me, I know I do After the show, I got to meet AJ Wilson and shook his hand on the matter.
Prologue - By the end of this number I have usually gauged who's really giving it on a given night and whom I'm only going to check over if they're the center of interest in a scene. Sometimes, though, I can't pick out any single character to watch. I have my "usual suspects", character I personally like to look out for most of the time (unless the actor's *really* not trying) but when I can not settle to just watch these for want to look *everywhere* at once because *everyone* is totally giving it... Then I know it's a good cast that night. Last night was a good night Things were feeling a little paced, a little over-practiced, but with this also came a real sureness to each action, and it would continue to be difficult to decide who to watch and when for most of the show, because everyone was in top form.
My room mate was highly impressed by Tumblebrutus' and Plato's somersaults. The "thrown" boot also got a good round of audience laughter. Harmonies in the "An-jellicle Choir" were lovely this time round.
After the "man over there" had been accused, as the tribe turned to stalk away, Asparagus turned a nasty look back over his shoulder, lifted one leg and shook it almost like a dog would when peeing! Haha, it was that or maybe kicking away skat? I don't know, but it was rude - and therefore pretty funny ;P
Naming - Belatedly, I did manage to pick out Skimbleshanks as one to watch by the expression on his face specifically for this number (hard to explain - intent in a different way than the CATS are normally intent during "Naming" - almost like a teacher explaining something; not the scholarly type who would look down their nose at a student, but as a teacher who likes to engage their students... the look was conversational, but instructive?) in combination with the fact that he was talking with his hands yet managing not to break character. There were definite gestures that you would expect to see in regular interaction with a human being, but they were carefully curbed in to "paws"... It was cool looking, and also very much in keeping with the character of Skimbleshanks, though I had not seen it done before.
The Port Theatre's stage has the lovely feature of narrow "arms" extending from the sides of the stage out along the first ~10 rows of seating, at either extreme wall of the auditorium. This is when the cast first started making magnificent use of that space, and again the energy from having interaction back out among the audience was tangible. I found myself looking in brief envy to where MsJellicle and Nic-ko-Las were sitting, as they had both Bombalurina and Alonzo out on their side, but then we had a gorgeous looking (and gorgeous sounding, because we could hear him so clearly over the mic at that proximity; he spoke in a lovely, enunciated tone) Skimbleshanks on our side, along with Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer having great fun with the kids in our section, and Quaxo looking very debonair and pleased with himself so.... Who am I to complain?
Invitation - Brava to the swing on her flawless solo. Perhaps a little less flourish in this feature dance, but she more than made up for it with an outstanding leg lift during final bows later, and the expression of comfort and contentment as she settled, effortlessly it seemed, into that final pose (which any of us who've tried it know is *anything* but effortless ;p) before Quaxo and Munkustrap come out was quite precious.
Munkustrap's entrance during the prologue had been pretty high-impact - tall, strongly-built performer who seemed to fall with ease into a very macho version of the "protector" stance, with a booming deep voice - and his presence would only get stronger as the show went on. Contrary to the "novice, leader-in-training, still a little humble perhaps" Munkustraps I've seen presented through most of the tour's run, *this* Munkustrap was definitely "large and in charge". A very serious grey tabby with absolute self-assurance that left no room to question his authority. He presented the Invitation very proudly.
Old Gumbie Cat - Boy oh boy did Jennyanydots appear to be having fun with this number. My room mate was bouncing along to the chorus and repeated "oh yeah!" under her breath at the Gumbie's admonishments of the household runamocks. I think she identifies with the Gumbie cat in some ways ;D Which would probably make me a beetle... The skimble-beetle who goes after Jennyanydots' bum with his fork, most likely
It looked like tumblebrutus instead of Pouncival, this time 'round, as the first beetle out on the stage, and he and Plato, I believe instead of Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer who flanked Jennyanydots during the "break" in the tap sequence. There was definitely some position shuffling going on in a few of the company numbers...
It was a rather coy, almost cheeky Gumbie cat, toward the end, who leaned in as if to let Munkustrap put her coat back on and then jumped away with a giggly "ooh no!" and went to chuckle it up toward the other side of the stage before the tabby finally just hefted the coat at her.
Rum Tum Tugger - Danny Zuko personified as a cat is just what lept to mind for this performance. A very young Tugger who was anything but classic, he just made everything in his performance work for him in his own way. If he hadn't been delivering with such "style" the show might have seemed put on and corny - instead it was just pure, lanky, leopard print fun.
Strangely, despite all the audience interaction at other times, there was no Tugger Dance in the audience at this performance. I hope *that* hasn't been cut, now. Also, there wasn't too much of an extended kitten squeal-fest at the end, but unless I'm mistaken there *was* an extra "Abow-wow..." in there for good measure.
The Rum Tum Tugger had bright, shiny gold make up on his lower lip. It was utterly distracting. That is not a complaint.
Grizabella - again, another strong visual reference upon the character's entrance: Sally from the nightmare before christmas. A little in the curve of her nose and chin, perhaps, but more the expression worn by that face - so isolated, but defiant. The gesture of drawing up her skirt over her thigh to Munkustrap can be so vulgar, but it drove the point home...
I wasn't sure if I was liking Demeter's style of singing at first - she started out quite high and put breathy pauses at odd intervals, but it grew on me as part of that character. When Bombalurina joined her it was interesting to hear her drop her voice down to make the pair's signature harmony, as otherwise she sang up quite high as well. Neither role is required to stay at the low range, of course, but I don't think I've heard both ladies using the upper end of mezzo quite so much.
Bustopher Jones - There was a definite "nyah nyah" tone in Bombslurina's line "In fact he's remarkably *fat*!" that had me half-expecting her to stick her tongue ot at Jennyanydots after saying it, and Jellylorum hustling up to Jennyanydots' other side to "salve" the minor insult by quickly giving her line in turn was just a lovely little bit of interplay at the open of this number.
i imagine MsJellicle was treated to quite the jolt as Bustopher, in all his velvety, fat-suited glory, came stepping up along the stage "arm" right next to where she was seated. Skimbleshanks, ever attentive, was very careful to inspect and demonstrate by wiping over and over with his "paws" the quality of the top hat seat the tribe had provided for the cat about town. The timing of every one's "bounce" at the weight of Bustopher sitting down was also excellent.
Little Pouncival would not keep his bum still through this whole scene, it seemed, unless he was balancing on it for a few stray seconds. Just sat there wiggling... After he and Tumblebrutus were shooed away from sitting in front of Bustopher, Pouncival wandered over on all 4's, around the back where Alonzo was standing and deftly caught up the bigger tom's tail in his mouth and began circling his legs, eventually dragging Alonzo so that he had to turn around with him and then follow him around, still dragged by the tail and looking quite consterned about it, until he yanked the tail away again... Pouncival was then off to the "inspection line up", where he proceeded to pull up one leg behind him in a very silly looking, mock-scorpion pose, and held that, grinning as if it were the mot natural thing to be doing while all the other boys were standing straight and tall with a single paw held out smartly. What a goof!
M & R - Again, this felt ever so slightly paced, but it's an abundantly energetic number no matter which way you slice it and each line was delivered so with amazing clarity for all those acrobatics. Also, both Mungojerrie and rumpelteazer's song costumes now appear to have little gold tinselly bits in with the black marabou accents. "Heehee, shiiiny."
Mungojerrie never seemed to quit making faces - he rarely showed a "neutral" face through the whole show - and made a real show of macho arms at the "It was Mungojerrie!!" lines. Rumpelteazer bore an uncanny resemblance to Saffity, actually! My room mate, who has only met Saff briefly a couple years ago, was the first to spot it. It was really fun watching her perform that very bouncy, hyper role and constantly reminding me by appearance and manner of a friend who embodies that character in cosplay...
(saff? See, this is me hugging you right now *hugs!!*)
Old Deuteronomy - Again, making great use of the venue, the Jellicle leader was led up (very carefully by Skimbleshanks, who kept gingerly checking and warning him to be careful about not slipping off the edge, esp as they maneuvered around a large speaker) via the stage "arm" on our side this time.
Though we only got the first taste of it in this number, Deuteronomy was another character that just got more and more solid as the show went on. He was rocking the walking-bath rug part, really looking like he was enjoying himself and yet very molecule a wise, strong and generous leader. Too cool.
At one point, while everyone was still making happy in anticipation of his arrival, Bombalurina and Demeter staked out a spot just to the left of center stage and... Er... Were cuddling *very* happily 0_o Oh well...
Ball - I liked hearing the female kittens voice not being so forced-high and squeaky as Troika's have tended to be. By contrast, Alonzo's voice followed them in a surprisingly high, soft tone. Hmm? Cassandra's make up was a leeetle too much when hit with a full spotlight for the "moonlit eyes" line, kind of scary, but it passed and then she was just pretty and cool again. Tumblebrutus was really aping it at the big boys' "jellicle cats develop slowly" parts, to the point of seeming to send himself off balance. Rumpelteazer said "moderate size" with such delight.
When it came time for everyone to get "cuddly", it was interesting to spot Tumblebrutus having broken off from the group, then being at the tire with Deuteronomy, as if seeking (and being granted) permission before carrying on with Victoria. It all started very sweetly with him approaching carefully, and very, very gently reaching to tap her hip, at which she flinched and looked briefly startled... And then things were just A-OK for them after that
At one point after everyone got moving again, eith the exception of a few stationned in the backgrounf, the tugger came over to the pipe and appeared to be hitting on Jellylorum as she was seated there, which earned him a most exasperated look and her rolling her eyes like "Please, little boy, shoo now." 
Though I've no complaints about the execution of the dance portion, over all they really are slowing down the end of the ball now. If anything, where the music used to pick up tempo considerably it now feels like the instrumentation begins to mark itself, instead, and the dancing slows down and feels under-punctuated as a result. It throws me off  Where I used to excitedly anticipate that last burst of energy that would have me shamelessly rocking out in my seat, I now have to reign it in and try not to fidget, feeling like everything's just happening way. too. slow.... arg! It's almost frustrating...
Memory - And, again, came the isolation and defiance of Grizabella. This short Memory was sung very prettily, in fact. Not too prettily, but not as worm down as it could have been... Didn't know, yet, that this reserve would pay off later...
Old Deuteronomy didn't just close his eyes and zone out during intermission. In fact he appeared to be fully awake and aware the entire time, actively looking around the audience, looking over the set, shuffling around a bit on his seat, toying one foot a little on the step, looking directly out at the audience again. It was really nice to see him not looking like a bored-to-unconsciousness victim of staging, at least.
As people returned to their seats at the end of intermission, intermittant giggles drew attention toward the stage directly in front of our seats, where Quaxo was sprawled, switching through a series of "I'm beautiful, aren't I beautiful? Oooh, look at me this way, this way I look cool! I'm so cool.... Now try THIS one, now I'm cool AND beautiful...!" ... It sounds a little ~meh~ as I try to discribe it, but I assure you, it was brilliant XD
ACT TWO
Moments - Beautifully put forth by Old Deuteronomy, the tribe's reactions to his messages were very well translated with everyone in unison beyond just hitting the beat of the music, and each reaction involving enough movement not to be mistaken for something casual. Sillabub's voice was lovely and pure - it doesn't seem that the "baby voice" direction is in place any more. After they collapsed, Sillabub, Cassandra and Pouncival nuzzling was very warm, almost franticly so...
Gus: the quiet atthe start of this number was when it *finally* hit me that the ever-present background "whirrrrr" noise I'd been struggling to hear some of the lower audio over was the fans for the inflatable set! Gah. I'd had nothing against it until now (hard set is always preferred, and seems safer, but I don't *mind* the blow-up set as it's well painted and practical for the tour schedule) but, really, if they're noisy enough to interfere with the sound of the show, something needs doing... Hmm... Moving on.
Jellylorum wasn't very animated, but she sang the number in lovely voice and by her facial expressions, at least, this swing showed real comfort with the role. Gus.... Gus! Another happy surprise. Not as forcibly "oooolllld..." as often performed, he still came across seasonned while still thinking himself rather dashing. Dare I say it, he was, a little ;D The make up for this character performed wonders on who would turn out to be a very young actor's face - he's going to be a handsome older man...
Not a lot of kitten activity to be distracted by in the background. Again there were moments when what has other times been playful spontaneity was feeling a bit dimmed, and Victoria and Mungojerrie were also to be seen sitting in rather "human" vs. feline poses, but... Well at least i got to watch the two featured performers in the scene all the way through this time.
The growltiger shoulders inflated a little too early, so for the latter half of his number, "old" gus was sporting some wicked muscles woops!...
Growltiger's last stand - ((misplaced aria notes, will find when awake))
Big baritone Munkustrap, Danny Zuko-Tugger and ever-animated Skimbleshanks certainly made for interesting selections amongst the raffish crew. I also seem to recall during the "on a peaceful summer's night..." chorus, Skimbleshanks-pirate punctuating a line by nuzzling up against (... I think? danged senility...) Alonzo-pirate's shoulder and earning an incredulous, "ew, dude, get off!" glare
A BIG chunk of Griddlebone's "fluff" was missing off her costume on the back of her left leg, from the bottom of her bum to about mid-thigh. It looked like ouch. You could see the base material and 3 or 4 distinct lines where the ostrich feather wefts had been sewn on... But there was n ostrich feathers any more. I hope that gets fixed soon >_<
Skimbleshanks: Amongst the kittens pesterring Skimbleshanks to wake up at the opening of the number, Pouncival notably had a good grab-hold on the railway cat's "long brown tail" and was whacking him solidly with it! And keeping it on beat, too. What a rascal! ;D
I have only praise for this Skimbleshanks. He was so up-beat, perky and attentive. He gave the impression of being *alomst* too much, the kind of character to pry in to everyone's business despite having only the best intentions, but the fact being that he *does* mean only good and that he's so charming meaning that he gets away with it every time, and no one is ever left feeling bad in his wake. The little "skit" seemed skillfully illustrative, his expressions were fantastic, and when he was leading the dual rows of "kittens" around leaping, he looked briefly like he would ebthusiastically lead them leaping right off stage if he had his way. As it was, he stopped very short of running in to the set himself. When it came time to put together the "train", he shot Deuteronomy this confused "what are they doing??" look and then was so delighted at their little "gift" for him. Lovely lovely, bravo
Macavity - a departure from the usual strictly protector/protected, older/younger, seductress/skittish duo I'm used to seeing played up in Bombalurina and Demeter, these two gave more an impression of being similar in so many ways, both danger-chasing, thrill seeking, strong women who had a time with Macavity... And both having gotten out of that time, one a little worse off for it but still intent on her own brand of assurance and seduction. They were equals and matched and I really liked it A powerful pair of bombshells executing the choreography with effortless style.
The fight went off quite well, albeit with a couple careful moments as the swing playing Macavity was somewhat shorter than very tall Alonzo and Munkustrap (he normally goes on for kitten roles) so lifts had to be minded.
The moment in the spotlight seemed to be the only time that anything Alonzo/Demeter was played up in this show, though. There was a strong Alonzo/Bombalurina thing going in act I, but Demeter, for the most part, was on her own. Even after this number I didn't see them ever moving to eachother with any seeming interest - they would be seated apart during memory, with Demeter close to Tumblebrutus, if anyone...
Mr. Mistoffelees - Tugger Zuko was lovin' the spotlight, man. Juuuust diggin' it In all honesties, not the most outstandingly balletic Mistoffelees. Still and accomplished dancer - he was cast for a reason, of course.... Wasn't really snapping to the timing on those light beats. But smiling, ALWAYS smiling, and that is showmanship. 20 open pirrouettes, 4 to close as of my count...
Memory - Again, that soft, pretty voice reigned through most of this song... Right up until "TOUCH ME -!" that is, by which point she was standing face on to the audience, shoulders back but loose, body arching back enough as if just opening up for that final blow, head back and *belting*... My gosh that woman's got pipes! All that subtley shatterred away to raw, honest sound that managed to fill every cubic dimension of the auditorium and, glancing quickly at the audience, was flooring *everyone*. You go, Griz, way to pull out all the stops
Ad-dressing - Aaand then it was Deuteronomy's turn to knock one out of the park. As strong as he'd been through most of the show, *this* is Deuteronomy's big number and *this* Deuteronomy was not about to let the opportunity slide. The tire rig shook, a couple times, with the force of his enthusiasm, but it wasn't at all as though he was shouting, just.... really feeling it. Way to go, Old Deuteronomy ;D
Below, at the line "Oh, Cat." my attention was grabbed by Rumpelteazer's pose - thrusting out the bum and grinning away, "lookit meee! I'm cute! Admire me! I'm so great...", and the smug look that remained on her even when everyone had pulled back to their "at attention" stances...
So, this is this, and That is that, and that's how you address a cat!
((I'm sorry, I know this has probably just dwindled off at the end; I am getting very tired and will likely elaborate on most of Act II tomorrow when I can control where my fingers go onthe keys again. I know I've still got notes to go through, but the adrenalie is fiiiinally ebbing and if I'm going to make it though work tomorrow... now I need to sleep .... But thank you for reading so far, if you've managed to! Happy Easter stuffs & All the best!!))
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