Behind the Scenes at ‘Cats’: Revival’s Choreographer Draws Parallels to Broadway Hit ‘Hamilton’
The legendary musical is enjoying a new day on Broadway.
— -- “Cats,” the legendary musical that was once the longest-running show on Broadway, has begun a new run at the Neil Simon Theatre.
The revival is bursting with the music and dances that millions of fans remember, but with British pop star Leona Lewis playing the role of the Glamour Cat Grizabella -- who sings the iconic song, “Memory” -- in one of the most unforgettable scenes of the production.
In an interview with ABC News’ Ginger Zee, Lewis remembered seeing the musical as a child and said she even asked her music teacher if she could learn it.
“It was so magical it blew me away,” the “Bleeding Love” singer said of the production, adding that she wants the audience to see her character as resilient and strong.
The show’s choreography has been updated by Andy Blankenbuehler, the man behind the choreography of the Broadway sensation “Hamilton.” He sees similarities between the two productions.
“’Cats’ was revolutionary show when it opened and it really changed how people viewed theater and so in that regard, I think the projects are a little parallel.”
Blankenbuehler said he felt very strongly that the choreography of the “Cats” revival needed to remain true to the original while accounting for the way audiences have changed.
“So I did feel that we should go through the show and sort of see how it could change for a new audience. But I felt that I wanted to pay homage as much as I could to the original stage and the original choreography because it's beautiful,” he said.
Blankenbuehler took Zee on a tour of the set. He even taught her part of the routine from the Jellicle Ball, and then she got into full makeup and costume to perform it with the cast.
Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems titled “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the original Broadway production opened in 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 18 years and 7,485 performances. It closed on Sept. 10, 2000.
The show has reportedly grossed more than $380 million on Broadway alone and has been viewed in more than 30 countries and in multiple languages.