Cats The Musical

Cats is one of the most difficult musicals to explain as far as a story goes. That is most likely because it doesn't have much of one. It is often depreciatingly referred to as "Eye-Candy" pretty to look at but not much else.
However , I will explain what I can....


Cats begins with the audience being introduced to the very special world of Jellicle Cats (Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats). This serves as an introduction to the chorus and characters of the cats. After Muskstrap spies someone in the audience who does not know what a jellicle cat is , the cats explain the NAMING OF CATS which fades into a breathtaking solo dance by Victoria, the kitten who is blessed with being pure white. She and Mistoffoles then proceed to give everyone an INVITATION TO THE JELLICLE BALL. It at the end of this song that the basis of the plot is explained. "Jellicle cats meet once a year. On the night when they make the jellicle choice. When old Deutorumity just before dawn, through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife , announces the cat that will now be reborn. For waiting up there is the heavyside layer, full of wonders one jellicle only will see...and Jellicles ask because jellicles dare...who will it be?"
After the invitation is complete Munskstrap, the impromptu host of the show, announces what his choice would be by introducing us to the OLD GUMBIE CAT. The Gumbie's lively number and congratulations are interrupted however by the John Travolta-esque RUM TUM TUGGER, a guy who knows exactly how to make all the female kittens swoon just by looking at them.
The festivities are going along full swing until GRIZABELLA THE GLAMOUR CAT makes her first appearance. Everyone seems afraid of her, except the two kittens Jemima and Victoria , who try an accept her but are immediately pulled back by their parents. Bitterly rejected Grizabella leaves the stage and BUSTOPHER JONES comes in to show his stuff, but succeeds only in boring everyone.
Bustopher is frightened off by the appearance of MUNGOGERRIE AND RUMPLETEASER, two thieving cats who are always blamed but never get caught.
Finally the moment all that cats have been waiting for comes ,OLD DEUTERONOMY arrives and the JELLICLE BALL finally begins.

Old Deuteromony opens the act with the touching MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS which leads into the tear-wrenching entrance of GUS THE THEATRE CAT. Gus is an ancient cat who claims he was once the best actor of his time. He says he once played Growltiger, could do it again and his remembrance leads into GROWLTIGER'S LAST STAND.
Gus is led off in sadness and the cast introduces SKIMBLESHANKS THE RAILWAY CAT.
The festivities are once again interrupted , but not with Grizabella this time. Instead Macavity , the notorious criminal that we have only had glimpses of shows up and kidnaps old Deuteronomy. The cats have no idea what to do about MACAVITY, but they know they have to find their leader. They wisely decide to leave that to MR.MISTOFFLES, who uses his magic to return the missing Deuteronomy in time to make the jellicle choice.
Grizzabella once again enters and recalls her MEMORY...of all the cats still only Jemima and Victoria relate to her. It is Victoria who breaks the restraints placed upon her by the adults and touches Grizabella, realising that she is finally welcome Grizabella is finally happy again and Deuteronomy chooses her for the JOURNEY TO THE HEAVEYSIDE LAYER.
The show closes with the ADDRESSING OF CATS that says just how alike cats and humans really are.