Live from Oasis - February 17, 2019. 199 things I look forward to on a cruise.

[blueridgemama]

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

 

His entry song is rather bleh.  I believe that it's Oooooooooooldddddd Deuteronomyyyyyyyyyyyy.  Yes, I believe you're right, that's him.  Certainly makes him feel oooooooooold.  And makes me feel oooooooold too, in the tired way.  You've sort of hit on the overall reason the show is so polarizing. Many numbers like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are fun to hear and watch, energizing and funny.  Others feel like redundant filler, somewhat low and draggy, or just weird and confusing, and so after the first hour or so many folks have gotten enough of the experience.  Did it really have to be 3+ hours long? How long is this concept a novelty? 

 

Memory, however, brings me to tears, whenever it's performed in the show and even when I hear it away from the performance.  Haunting, lovely, emotional, also makes me feel old, which I am, but in a more relatable and wise and nostalgic way, a showcase for heavenly voices, for reflection on life's regrets, for the hope of redemption and salvation.

 

Is the show actually 3 hours long? ? Jennifer Hudson will be singing Memory in the movie-she should knock it out of the park!

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

 

Is the show actually 3 hours long? ? Jennifer Hudson will be singing Memory in the movie-she should knock it out of the park!

 

No, only 2.5 hours.

[KmomChicago]

2 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

No, only 2.5 hours.

 

My mistake, thanks Bob! Sorry about that folks.

Edited February 26, 2019 by KmomChicago

[John&LaLa]

7 hours ago, perfect match said:

 

We are CATS fans, so I'm excited to hear about the movie. We don't go to the movies in a theater very often, but we will definitely go to see CATS!

 

When we were on Oasis in September 2018, several of the members of the CATS cast performed cabaret shows in Jazz on 4 in addition to their CATS performances. We saw several of their shows, and enjoyed meeting the performers and seeing them perform selections that for the most part, weren't from CATS. Wouldn't have minded if they did just do songs from CATS, though.

 

I've loved seeing all of your CATS pictures. They are much better than my point and shoot can do. I'malso glad to know that DH and I aren't the only ones who have gone to more than one performance of CATS during a Seingle Oasis cruise!

 

These are all taken with my phone.

 

As for the movie, Rebel Wilson is Jennyanydots. Seems like a good choice

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, LuCruise said:

How do you get all these great pictures of the Cats performance?  Is it ok to take during the show?  Or you kind of hide your camera?  I'm always hesitant to take as I know they'll confiscate your camera if you pull it out during regular theatre (outside a cruise ship).

 

I use cell phone, no video, no flash.  I try and be as unobtrusive as possible.  Usually dont take so many, but I wanted them for this thread. 

 

S9+ has a lot of manual settings,  which is better than auto mode. However, the light is constantly changing, so it's a challenge to keep up.  Luckily I know the show so I anticipate the settings.

[blueridgemama]

9 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I use cell phone, no video, no flash.  I try and be as unobtrusive as possible.  Usually dont take so many, but I wanted them for this thread. 

 

S9+ has a lot of manual settings,  which is better than auto mode. However, the light is constantly changing, so it's a challenge to keep up.  Luckily I know the show so I anticipate the settings.

 

how many times have you seen the show?

[John&LaLa]

23 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

No, only 2.5 hours.

 

Surprised you're still here. 😉🐱

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Surprised you're still here. 😉🐱

 

It's been brutal, I may be permanently scarred.

[John&LaLa]

8 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

 

how many times have you seen the show?

 

Probably 25 times. Once off Broadway production in Huntsville Alabama in the late 90's. Laura saw it on Broadway in the late 80's.

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

His entry song is rather bleh.  I believe that it's Oooooooooooldddddd Deuteronomyyyyyyyyyyyy.  Yes, I believe you're right, that's him.  Certainly makes him feel oooooooooold.  And makes me feel oooooooold too, in the tired way.  You've sort of hit on the overall reason the show is so polarizing. Many numbers like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are fun to hear and watch, energizing and funny.  Others feel like redundant filler, somewhat low and draggy, or just weird and confusing, and so after the first hour or so many folks have gotten enough of the experience.  Did it really have to be 3+ hours long? How long is this concept a novelty? 

 

Memory, however, brings me to tears, whenever it's performed in the show and even when I hear it away from the performance.  Haunting, lovely, emotional, also makes me feel old, which I am, but in a more relatable and wise and nostalgic way, a showcase for heavenly voices, for reflection on life's regrets, for the hope of redemption and salvation.

 

I'm a big fan of the Happiness song.

That was Sara Brightmon's first big break

[blueridgemama]

My favorite performance of Memory is Barbra Streisands'-hauntingly beautiful.

[LuCruise]

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I use cell phone, no video, no flash.  I try and be as unobtrusive as possible.  Usually dont take so many, but I wanted them for this thread. 

 

S9+ has a lot of manual settings,  which is better than auto mode. However, the light is constantly changing, so it's a challenge to keep up.  Luckily I know the show so I anticipate the settings.

Great, thank you.  Good tip.  You really captured great shots.  (Looks really nice on email notice as the pictures are large and crisp).  I know most don't love Cats but costumes and set look really good.  I think my kids would actually really enjoy it...and sounds like you do too.  

[John&LaLa]

And we're back from Intermission.

Act 2 begins with the cats assembled on stage.

#87 The Happiness Song

Sung by Syllabub, one of the Kittens.

Originally called Jemima, but that is considered racially insensitive today.

One of my favorite songs. Requires a very high soprano range.

 

 

Syllabub

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

#88 Gus, the Theater Cat

Primarily sung by Jellylorum, with Gus adding some prose in a very weak and feeble voice.

It's really quite sad is some ways.

At the end of the song he transforms into Growltiger.

I'm not a fan of this number, but his leading lady shows up and they sing an opera that is funny.

It ends with Gus returning and walking off stage alone.  

Personally, I think Gus got screwed. He should be the one chosen for the Heavyside Layer

 

 

Growltiger

 

Lady Griddlebone

 

The Siamese

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

The next song is Skimbleshanks.

I'm not giving it a number, but it is a catchy tune.

 

[John&LaLa]

At the end of the song, McCavity appears. Everyone is afraid of him.

His minions kidnap Old Deutoronomy and the male cats give chase.

This leaves the females alone.

Time for the best song/dance number. 😀

[John&LaLa]

#89 Macavity

Sung by Demeter and Bombalurina

It's a whole lot of shimying and shaking.

The other females join the dance in the background, but you don't really see them in the pics.

I had to overcompensate for the spotlight on the two principle dancers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

When the song ends the men return with Old Deutoronomy

But it's really Macavity.  Demeter figures it out and a fight ensues

 

 

 

 

Macavity escapes by shorting out the lights

 

Rum Tug Tugger appears lit by a flashlight and suggests they ask Mr Mistofoles for help

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

#90 Magical Mr Mistofoles

Sung by Rum Tug Tugger

Lots of prancing and spinning by Mr Mistofoles "the original conjuring cat"

He brings back Old Deutoronomy and restores the lights

All is good in the junkyard

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[perfect match]

John, thanks to you, I've had the Magical Mr Mistofoles song running through my head all day, and I didn't even hear the song being played!

 

Seriously, I'm enjoying your summary of the show. Thanks for making it such a major part of your list of favorites! Brings back great "memories" for me! Yes, that song has been in my head today, too, when Mr Mistofoles wasn't already there!

[John&LaLa]

#91 Memory - The signature song of the show

Grizabella returns to the stage and OD permits her to speak

She begins the song and halfway through it collapses.

Syllabub picks it up until Grizabella gets back up and finishes it

This is the turning point of her return to the tribe.

She starts to walk away, but Victoria stops her, they hug, everybody hugs, she wins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

At this point a lot of smoke comes out, OD and Grizabella climb onto a big tire and it rises Up Up Up past the Russell Hotel

Then Grizabella rides by herself the rest of the way to the Heavyside Layer.

The tire was broke all three shows.

It's been broke before, so she just walks off one of the upper stage exits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then Old Deutoronomy recites the Addressing of Cats, yawn.

Cats go into the audience again, run around and one by one or in pairs come back to the stage for bows.

And it ends with Rum Tug Tugger sliding across the stage and soem air guitar with his tale.

That should be #92, it's hilarious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2019 by John&LaLa

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

#89 Macavity

Sung by Demeter and Bombalurina

It's a whole lot of shimying and shaking.

The other females join the dance in the background, but you don't really see them in the pics.

And now we know why John loves CATS so much!!!  😄

[John&LaLa]

I still need to post numbers for the individual cats I enjoy and wrap this up.

I'll barely break 100 it seems.  Who knew it would be so hard to have fun without the CD

Goodnight

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, brillohead said:

And now we know why John loves CATS so much!!!  😄

 

I'm pretty sure that's well known around here.