CATS
Synopsis

Photo credit: © 2003, JOAN MARCUS

ACT ONE

Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Suddenly an explosion of music and lights
reveals a larger-than-life junkyard. Probing car lights tear across the darkened landscape
of bottles and boxes, briefly catching the darting image of a running feline. Tonight is the
one special night each year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats reunites to celebrate who they
are. They emerge singing of their unique abilities and special traits.

The cats are at first suspicious and reluctant to allow the audience into their domain. They
are proud, however, and in “The Naming of Cats” explain to their human visitors who they
are and reveal that cats have three different names: the one the family uses daily, a more
dignified name and a secret name. It is the contemplation of these secret names which
keeps felines deep in thought.

Victoria, a young white cat, dances to signal “The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball.”
Munkustrap, a large grey tabby, explains that the Jellicle Cats meet once a year to rejoice!
They are waiting for their leader, the wise Old Deuteronomy, who will choose which one
of the Jellicle Cats will journey to the Heaviside Layer to be “reborn” into a new life!
Jennyanydots, “The Old Gumbie Cat,” sleeps and lounges all day long. “She sits and sits and
sits, and that’s what makes a Gumbie Cat!”

“The Rum Tum Tugger” is a playful prankster that the female cats find extremely attractive,
and who enjoys being the center of attention.

“Grizabella, the Glamour Cat,” is shunned by the rest of the tribe despite being a Jellicle Cat.
She left the tribe years ago to explore the outside world and now wants to return.
“Bustopher Jones” is a large “twenty-five pounder,” always clad in his signature white spats.
He spends his time eating, eating and eating in the many English pubs and clubs he frequents.
Suddenly a thunderous crash, followed by the sound of police sirens and flashing red lights
signal that the villainous cat Macavity is on the loose! The cats scatter, leaving an empty
stage.

Off-stage giggles signal the entrance of “Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer,” a fun-loving, frolicking
team of pranksters always getting in trouble with the family with whom they live.

The entire tribe re-enters as their benevolent and wise leader “Old Deuteronomy” arrives.
The cats adore and respect him. “And now that the Jellicle Leader is here, Jellicle Cats can
all rejoice!”

They entertain him with a special show which Munkustrap narrates, “The Aweful Battle of
the Pekes and the Pollicles together with The Marching Song of the Pollicle Dogs.” The
cats dress up as the two rival dog factions and bark at each other until they are frightened
away by the great Rumpus Cat, a sleek and powerful feline.

Yet another crash from the villainous Macavity is heard, which sends the cats scurrying.
Old Deuteronomy soothes them as they come back one by one. It is time for “The Jellicle
Ball,” the great annual dance in which all of the cats celebrate.

Grizabella appears once more wanting to rejoin her family and be a part of the celebration.
She is left to contemplate her “Memory” of the time before she left the tribe. She stretches
out her hand behind her, hoping another cat will touch her. She is still not accepted and,
disappointed, slinks off into the night.


ACT TWO

After the Jellicle Ball, the cats rest and contemplate “The Moments of Happiness” before
introducing more cats. “Gus, the Theatre Cat,” is an aged stage actor who worked with the
leading actors of his day. Gus remembers his greatest theatrical triumphs, and yearns to
perform again. He remembers acting in the epic story of the barge-cat Growltiger, which
leads several cats to re-enact “Growltiger’s Last Stand” with him.

“Skimbleshanks,” the Railway Cat, introduces himself. A friendly uncle to all of the cats,
Skimbleshanks attends the trains he rides, and makes sure every detail is perfect.
A third crash interrupts the celebration, and this time the villainous Macavity appears. Two
of his henchmen invade the proceedings and kidnap Old Deuteronomy. Demeter and
Bombalurina sing what they know of “Macavity,” whose evil deeds have resulted in him
being dubbed “the Napoleon of crime.”

Macavity returns, disguised as Old Deuteronomy, but is exposed and battles with
Munkustrap and the other male cats. Tired and almost defeated, Macavity rigs an electrical
explosion that puts out all the lights, leaving the Jellicles in the dark. Macavity escapes,
but the Jellicles still have to find Old Deuteronomy. The Rum Tum Tugger calls in “Mr.
Mistoffelees,” the conjuring cat, to use his magical powers to bring back their leader.
Mistoffelees succeeds in reinstating the lights, locating Old Deuteronomy and showing off
his magic tricks, including his famous conjuring turn.

At last the time has come for Old Deuteronomy to make the Jellicle Choice and decide
which cat will be reborn into a new Jellicle life. At that moment, Grizabella reappears. Again
she recalls her “Memory” of how things used to be. This time the cats accept her back into
the tribe and it is she who is chosen to “Journey to the Heaviside Layer” to be reborn.
The Jellicle Ball has come to a conclusion, but first Old Deuteronomy turns to the human
spectators in “The Ad-dressing of Cats.” For all of their unique qualities and differences, he
says “cats are very much like you.”

Note: Information obtained  from Troika Entertainment.