The cast of CATS channels their inner feline in preparation for the upcoming production of CATS. Performances are set for Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Mendota High School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Sports n Stuff, downtown Mendota or can be purchased 1 hour before show time. (Reporter photo by Jennifer Sommer)

MENDOTA – Cast and crew are hard at work preparing for Mendota Education Foundation’s musical production of CATS, one of the most acclaimed and longest running musicals on Broadway.

Along with song and dance rehearsals, the cast has been channeling their inner feline. But the biggest transformation will happen just before each performance when costume and makeup will make them practically unrecognizable. They will become… cats!

CATS all-dance action takes place in a large junkyard that comes alive with cats of all kinds and shapes. They are gathering for the Jellicle Ball when one cat will be selected by the revered Jellicle leader and given an extra life. The show comes alive with outstanding choreography by Shannon Argubright with non-stop movement and action paired with fast paced mixed-meter music, from rock-n-roll, soft-shoe, tapping, and modern jazz.

The award winning music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the plot is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The lyrics are his poetry with additional lyrics by Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe. Since CATS first opened in the New London Theatre Stage in London in 1981, it has become one of the world’s best known and beloved musicals, presented in over 20 countries and in 250 cities. CATS opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York in 1982 and became the second longest running musical and could break that record with its recent revival. CATS won seven Tony awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.  

The music and the driving energy of the choreography along with the makeup and the costuming are what make this show a hit, said Chris Benson, co-director. “It is a different kind of show with very little script. And if you are looking for a message, it’s not there,” she added.

As MEF’s 18th production, they intend to add a flair of their own to the set. Audience members will be challenged to find bits and pieces from their past 17 shows strewn about the junkyard. “It’s been fun adding in these elements,” said Benson.

Although the set never changes, extensive makeup and elaborate costumes make this a very costly show. “This year I thought we would have the cast that would make it worth it,” said Benson.

A good return on their investment is what MEF hopes for each year as these productions serve as a fundraiser to support the Mendota schools.

Each year the Mendota Education Foundation meets to review applications from teachers at all Mendota area schools for mini grants to be utilized for special projects or classroom tools that are not covered by the school’s annual budget. Instructors utilize these funds for special projects, technology related tools, literature for unique units or perhaps classroom equipment. In today’s tough economy with budgets everywhere getting squeezed, the funds from these grants become increasingly important each year.

This spring the Foundation awarded close to $18,000 dollars to Mendota Elementary, Holy Cross, and Mendota High Schools combined. The money for these grants was generated through charitable annual gifts from individuals as well as the proceeds from the annual summer play performance. Every ticket purchased represents a donation to the schools in Mendota.

With a particularly talented group, Chris and Stephanie Benson are directing a whole new animal in terms of a musical. The nature of this musical stems not only around the singers and actors but heavily on dancers as well, which has pulled in some 3M veterans, along with new talent from the surrounding area.

For cast members Molly Gustafson (Jemima), Sophie Smigel (Victoria), Gillian Sondgeroth (Tantomile), Nikki Rybarczyk (Coricopat), Keenan Ellis (Macavity/Admetus) and Cody Batcher (Alonzo) - to name a few - the promise of challenging dances and intriguing characters pulled them in this year. CATS has also drawn individuals such as Fabian Gomez (Mr. Mistoffelees) who, while familiar to Mendota, is new to MEF’s summer stock.

Although new names are being added to the list of talented performers who waltz the stage at Mendota High School, there are those who have been in these shows for longer than cats have had whiskers. They include Raleigh Shifflette (Bustopher Jones), Payton Gehm (Asparagus), Dekin Walter (Bill Bailey/Rumpus Cat), Samantha Masini (Bombalurina), Patrick Foley (Carbucketty), Melissa Wohrley (Demeter), Abby Hasslau (Electra), Katherine Wohrley (Etcetera), Anna Roseland (Exotica), Jennifer Billingsley (Grizabella), Bethany Wohrley (Jellylorum), Jennifer Masini (Jennyanydots), Brady Hughes (Munglejerrie), Eric Masini (Munkustrap), Nate Bradford (Old Deuteronomy), Matt Grenter (Plato), Julie Lee (Cassandra), Brook Lee (Sillibub), Cole Enervold (Skimbleshanks), Jacob Stohr (Victor) and Heather Zell (Rumpleteazer).

Before the cats’ departure at the end of the show, the revered old cat, Old Deuteronomy, summarizes T. S. Eliot’s lifelong passion for paralleling catlike names and attributes to people he had observed:

“You’ve heard of several kinds of cat,

And my opinion now is that

You should need no interpreter

To understand our character.

You’ve learned enough to take the view

That cats are very much like you.”

CATS is a purr-fect musical for an audiences of all ages and is wonderful family entertainment. “I think the audience will be amazed,” said Benson.

Performances are set for Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Mendota High School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Sports n Stuff, downtown Mendota or can be purchased 1 hour before show time.