Displaying items by tag: Jellicle

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats remains one of musical theatre’s most distinctive creations - a sung‑through, dance‑driven spectacle that swaps traditional plot for atmosphere, character portraits, and pure theatrical immersion. Drawn from T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical unfolds as a moonlit gathering of the Jellicle tribe, each feline stepping forward to claim the spotlight before the climactic “Jellicle Choice,” when one is chosen for rebirth into the Heaviside Layer – a new life. Its unconventional structure, eclectic score, and iconic choreography helped define the mega-musical era, earning Cats major awards and record‑breaking runs in both London and New York. And now it’s here!

To kick off their 2026 season, Music Theater Works brings Cats to the North Theatre in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, offering Chicago audiences a fresh trip into the Jellicle universe. It’s the perfect time to pounce on this legendary musical - whether you’re drawn by its nostalgia, its high‑energy movement, or the simple delight of watching a community of cats chase belonging and second chances.

Cats has always been one of my very favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, and revisiting it reminds me why. Its blend of atmosphere, movement, and character‑driven storytelling creates a world that feels both whimsical and strangely profound – a world that is so easy to get lost in.

What continues to give Cats its staying power is the blend of spectacle and emotional resonance. While much of the evening plays as a parade of emotionally grounded ensemble-anchored numbers - playful, mischievous, or grand - the heart of the piece rests with Grizabella (magnificently played in this production by Ava Lane Stovall), the faded glamour cat whose ballad “Memory” became a global standard. The production’s emphasis on movement, atmosphere, and immersive world‑building over traditional linear storytelling makes Cats both polarizing and unforgettable, and its decades‑long staying power proves just how deeply that approach resonates across generations. Music Theater Works captures that essence beautifully, channeling the show’s dreamlike logic and ritualistic energy in a way that feels both faithful and freshly imagined.

Astutely directed and choreographed by Mandy Modic, Music Theater Works makes inventive use of the North Shore Center’s intimate space, transforming nearly every nook and cranny into part of the Jellicle playground. The result is a production where activity seems to spark from every direction, creating a sense of constant motion that borders on ingenious. From the moment the show begins - after a playful prelude of cat videos on a large TV - the cast emerges in the dark, parading down the aisles with glowing cat‑eye glasses that immediately pull the audience into their world. Throughout the performance, strategically placed perches and platforms scattered around the theater keep the action mere inches away, giving some audience members the rare thrill of being fully surrounded by the Jellicle tribe. Though I’ve seen Cats countless times in both the Chicagoland area and New York, this production may well be the one that connected with me the most.

(Center) Ethan Lupp as “Rum Tum Tugger” and members of the cast of CATS in CATS from Music Theater Works, now playing through March 29 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

Sam Nachison brings a commanding warmth to Old Deuteronomy, balancing authority with compassion and grounding the production with a rich, resonant baritone in his self‑titled number. Stovall, meanwhile, delivers a vocally commanding, show‑stopping “Memory” in Act II - an emotional high point that pierced my heart and gave me chills. But what truly elevates this production is how deep the talent runs throughout the ensemble. Whether it’s the big, full‑company showstoppers, the sly, feline physicality woven into every corner of the stage, or the sheer joy of numbers like “Magical Mister Mistoffelees,” the cast proves endlessly engaging. Group sequences such as “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats” and “Journey to the Heaviside Layer” showcase a company working in complete synchronicity, creating moment after moment that dazzles. The memorable beats are as abundant as the cats roaming the theater, each one adding to a production overflowing with energy, precision, and charm.

Throughout the performance, I found myself drawn to different performers at different moments, captivated by their vocals, their movement, and the sheer feline energy they brought to the stage. The ensemble’s commitment was so complete that no matter where I looked, someone was doing something compelling, clever, or beautifully in character. That sense of constant discovery carried straight into the show’s physical feats - from aerial acrobatics to Morgan Schoenecker’s crisp tap breaks as Jennyanydots and even the unexpected skating sequences led by Danny Spagnuolo as Skimbleshanks—making the production a steady stream of surprises. Add in the constant, playful eye contact from cats prancing through the aisles, and every moment feels enchanting - alive with movement, mischief, and immersive detail.

Nick Johnson’s Munkustrap grounds the entire production with a steady, commanding presence, guiding the ensemble and shaping the rhythm of the evening. He moves through the show with an effortless authority - part narrator, part guardian - setting both the emotional and musical pace while keeping the Jellicle world anchored. In doing so, he opens the door for the production’s standout moments to land with even greater impact - and never far from that spotlight is Emma Jean Eastlund’s Bombalurina, slipping in with charisma and precision alongside the rest of the talented ensemble.

Ava Lane Stovall as “Grizabella” in CATS from Music Theater Works. Phots by Brett Beiner.

Another moment that stayed with me was John Cardone’s moving rendition of “Gus: The Theatre Cat.” As Asparagus, he delivers this bittersweet, nostalgic reflection of an aging performer looking back on the glory days of his career. The ache of the number comes from the gap between who Gus once was and who he has become - an actor with a shabby coat, trembling paws, and memories of a time when he was the “terror to mice.” Cardone leans into that fragility with such sincerity that the song lands as both a tribute and a quiet heartbreak.

And from that intimate moment, the production expands back into the vibrant world of the Jellicles. The cats themselves are incredible - brought to life with remarkable clarity thanks to the production’s outstanding creative team. Much of that magic stems from the meticulous work of hair, wig, and makeup designers Megan E. Pirtle and Melanie Saso, whose transformations give each performer a distinct feline identity, and from the richly textured costumes crafted by kClare McKellaston and wardrobe head Kristen Brinati, which add depth, personality, and visual cohesion to the entire tribe. Together, their contributions shape a world so vivid and fully realized that the characters feel as if they’ve stepped straight out of Eliot’s imagination and into the audience’s laps. Credit belongs to every corner of the creative team, from scenic design to sound to lighting, all working together to shape an atmosphere that feels nothing short of Jellicle heaven. Their combined artistry turns the space into a fully realized world - mystical, inviting, and alive with detail - so the audience is immersed from the moment the first cat appears. Every technical element works in harmony to envelop the audience in this moonlit world - sets that invite exploration, sound that wraps around the room, and lighting that shifts the space from mystical to electric in an instant. The result is a production that manages to be both haunting and joyfully alive, lingering in the imagination long after the final note.

What I appreciated most about this rich and colorful production is how it reflects the moment we’re living in. At a time when the world feels unsteady, we’re each our own special kind of “cat,” carrying unique talents and flaws, and offering up our personal histories - our triumphs and our losses to each other our fellow "cats" - as the curtain of world seems to be falling around us. Yet, in that shared vulnerability, we find the strength to realize that as long as we keep supporting one another, the light never truly goes out.

Purr‑fect, meow‑velous, pawsitively delightful, downright meow‑gical - take your pick! Every one of them fits this production like a cat in a sunbeam.

Music Theatre Works’ Cats is being performed at the North Theatre in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts through March 29^th. For tickets and/or more show information visit https://www.musictheaterworks.com/2026-season/cats/.

Highly Recommended.

This review is proudly shared with our friends at www.TheatreInChicago.com.

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production of its 2026 season, CATS, in the North Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 5 - 29, 2026. CATS, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical CATS” by T.S. Eliot, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is directed and choreographed by Mandy Modic and music directed by Linda Madonia. The production includes a preview performance Thursday, Mar. 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a press opening Friday, Mar. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Memberships for the 2026 season are also available at MusicTheaterWorks.com and group discounts for 10 or more people are available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Music Theater Works kicks off its 46th season with CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s electrifying, Tony Award-winning musical. In this immersive production set in a larger-than-life British flat, audiences may join the magical and all encompassing world of the Jellicle cats as they gather for the annual Jellicle Ball, where one will be chosen for a new life. Through a series of dazzling musical numbers, each cat shares their story— from the mischievous Rum Tum Tugger, to the mysterious Macavity, and the once-glamorous Grizabella. Featuring unforgettable songs, breathtaking choreography, and a whimsical atmosphere, CATS is a celebration of life, community and the power of memory.

The cast of CATS includes Ava Lane Stovall (she/her, Grizabella); Luther Lewis (he/him, Old Deuteronomy); Nick Johnson (he/him, Mr. Mistoffelees/U/S Munkustrap); Ethan Lupp (he/him, Rum Tum Tugger); Daniel Hurst (he/him, Munkustrap); Sterling Ford (he/him, Macavity/Plato/Rumpus); Molly Bremer (she/her, Jellylorum); John Cardone (he/him, Bustopher Jones/Asparagus); Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor (she/her, Demeter); Danny Spagnuolo (he/him, Skimbleshanks); Emma Jean Eastlund (she/her, Bombalurina); Morgan Schoenecker (she/her, Jennyanydots); Alex Villaseñor (he/him, Mungojerrie); Madison Jaffe-Richter (she/her, Rumpleteazer); Irene Lo (she/her, Sillabub/U/S Victoria); Tola Abitogum (he/him, Tumblebrutus/U/S Skimbleshanks/Mungojerrie); Mikala Curless (she/her, Victoria); J'Nae Howard (she/her, Electra); Ciara Jarvis (she/her, Tantomile/U/S Demeter); Albert Johnston (he/him, Coricopat/U/S Rum Tum Tugger); Mia Hilt (she/her, Cassandra/U/S Rumpleteazer); Emily Ann Brooks (she/her, Carbuckety/U/S Jennyanydots/Jellylorum, Dance Captain); Alex Iaobucci (he/him, Pouncival/U/S Macavity); Whitney Turner (she/her, Exotica/U/S Bombalurina/Sillabub); Raymond Cam Truong (he/him, Alonzo/U/S Mr. Mistoffelees); Rachael Dec (she/her, Off Stage Chorus Alto/U/SCarbuckety/Cassandra/Tantomile); Andrew John Baker (he/him, Off Stage Chorus Tenor/U/S Tumblebrutus/Pouncival/Alonzo/Coricopat); Jake Elkins (he/him, Off Stage Chorus Bass/U/S Deuteronomy/Bustopher Jones/Gus) and Mai Hartwich (she/her, U/S Grizabella).

CATS’ creative team includes Mandy Modic (she/her, director/choreographer); Linda Madonia (she/her, music director); Alina Lowenstein (they/them, assistant music director); Jordan Beyeler (she/her, assistant choreographer); Danielle H. Gennaoui (she/her, circus artist); Jay Donley (he/him, violence choreographer); Amber Wuttkle (she/her, intimacy choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Rachel Rock (she/her, stage manager); Milo Bue (he/him, scenic designer); Nga Sze Chan (she/her, props designer); kClare McKellaston (she/her, costume designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, wardrobe head); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair, wig and makeup lead); Adam Jezl-Sikorski (he/him, lighting designer); Jackson Mikkelsen (he/him, head electrician & light board programmer); Anthony Churchill (he/him, media designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, production sound engineer); Keely Vasquez (she/her, casting director), Chris Chase (he/him, production manager); Katie Meine (she/her, company manager) and Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc (any with respect, producing artistic director). 

CATS Special Events

Post Show Discussions

Audiences are invited to stay after the 2 p.m. performances on Sunday, March 8 and Sunday, March 15 and join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of CATS. Free with your performance ticket, this engaging discussion is perfect for audiences to learn about the production, its history and more.

Binny’s Broadway Lounge

Music Theater Works’ donors of any level and season subscribers are welcome to access Binny’s Broadway Lounge before the performance and at intermission of CATS. Sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, the Lounge is located on the second floor at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and offers complimentary drinks and snacks. Reservations are not required. The Lounge will be available for CATS, Saturday, Mar. 7 (opens at 6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Mar. 14 (opens at 1 p.m.).

ASL Interpreted Performance

The Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. performance will be ASL interpreted.

ABOUT MANDY MODIC, DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER

Mandy Modic is so excited to return to Music Theater Works where she directed Legally Blonde last year! Some other favorite directing credits include: Guys and Dolls (Berkie Award Winner for Most Outstanding Musical), Matilda and Dear Jack Dear Louise. Some favorite choreographer credits include: Something Rotten! (Berkie Award Winner for Best Choreography), 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, State Fair, White Christmas, R&H Cinderella, Wedding Singer, Guys and Dolls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sound of Music and Newsies. Modic is passionate about educational theater and has helped build musical theater programs abroad in Shanghai, China and Lima, Peru. Proud AEA member.  

ABOUT LINDA MADONIA, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Linda Madonia is thrilled to be back at Music Theater Works for CATS where she has previously music directed Guys and Dolls, Shrek, Mamma Mia and Camelot. Other recent projects include Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Sister Act at Mercury Theater Chicago. Anything Goes, Cabaret and A Chorus Line at Porchlight Music Theatre. Madonia also serves as the contractor for the Chicago Federation of Musicians for Porchlight Music Theatre and Music Theater Works. She is the vocal coach for the master’s degree program in Music Theatre Pedagogy at Carthage College and owns American Eagle Productions, which has been at the forefront of Theatre Education in the Chicago area for the past 35 years.

MUSIC THEATER WORKS 2026 SEASON

The 46th season opens with CATS, March 5 - 29, 2026 and is followed by West Side Story, August 13 - 30, 2026. The season will continue with Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, October 8 - November 1, 2026 and concludes with Hairspray, December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027. Memberships and single tickets are now available. For more information on the 46th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com. 

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 45-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics.