9/1/2021
Performances and Artists
‘CATS’ National Tour Offers Athletic Dancing and Visual Spectacle
During rehearsals for the Broadway revival of “CATS,” associate choreographer Kim Craven admits she watched “copious amounts” of cat videos.
Learning accurate feline movements takes work, she explains.
“That was always the homework: ‘go home tonight and watch your cat, or a YouTube video of a cat,’” recalls Craven, now associate choreographer of the show’s national tour. “You want the audience to really be immersed and sucked into the world right away — and not be taken out of it, like ‘oh that’s a human in a leotard with legwarmers on.’”
The show’s choreography not only captures cat grace and agility, Craven promises, but it also offers thrilling, reimagined dance numbers originally reconceived for the Broadway production by “Hamilton” choreographer of Andy Blankenbuehler.
“(It’s) updated just subtly enough that no one thinks it’s a different show, yet they come and enjoy it even more and say ‘wow, that blew my socks off even more than I remember,’” she says.
The musical stays true to the 1982 show’s storyline, Craven assures, showcasing a community of cats based on a collection of T.S. Elliot poems, with hit songs by theater legend Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“Everyone should try to see it because it is an energy bomb,” Craven says. “It has earworm songs you will not get out of your mind, and athletic, exciting dancing that just captures you.”
Becoming Feline
Acting as a cat in this iconic Broadway musical involves more than just zipping into a furry suit.
It also involves learning a whole new physical, feline language, Craven explains – with even the tail posing a challenge.
“The tail can get in the way. If you roll over it, it does not feel good on your tailbone,” she says. “You find ways to move it out of the way and have it be part of you.”
That’s why rehearsals always include wearing the tails from the start, she notes – but that proves just the beginning.
This dance-heavy production already requires a lot of stamina from the performers, she says, yet they must also focus on adapting every step and leap to project feline movement.
“Beyond learning the thousands and millions of steps, there is studying how cats use their paws and their ears and their necks and their backs,” she says.
Fans and newcomers to “CATS” will enjoy the updated choreography with an edgy, street style, Craven adds.
The show also adapts the choreography to reflect each cat’s individual personality.
“Audiences’ expectations have changed over the past 38 years,” she explains of the updated choreography. “Audiences think faster and are more demanding.”
How “CATS” Set a New Standard
“CATS” became the fourth-longest-running Broadway show for good reason, Craven notes.
Firstly, Webber’s whimsical score seizes hearts, she says.
But beyond that, the original musical also set new theater standards, especially as one of the first Broadway productions that heavily infused dance throughout the show.
“That paved the way for dancers to start dancing in what I like to call Dance-icals, where dance is a huge part of the show,” she says.
“CATS” also served as one of the first immersive Broadway productions, with cats pouring into the aisles and interacting with audience members.
“That’s very exciting for kids and adults, to be immersed in that world and with such unique storytelling,” Craven says.
She hopes those who enjoyed the show decades ago can now experience it again with younger generations.
“It still has a wonderful message of forgiveness and redemption,” she says. “And it’s an incredible spectacle.”