&COMPANY’S “CATS” The Musical

CATS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com

CATS Character Breakdown

For &COMPANY’s production all CATS ideally have strong jazz-theatre/movement dance background OR will be a singing cat requiring “character singing and some dancing” in the ensemble. Looking for “triple threats,” vocalists, dancers and acrobats. Cast size is limited to 40 performers including youth ages 8-15yrs, Teens & Adults. For some roles, we will consider casting across gender identities, body types, ages and vocal types that can sing the parts without musical transposition. (ie. “sing up/down the octave”) Ideas can change or develop with casting. *Also, for your curious minds, some Featured Dancer costumes will resemble the traditional costume ideas but we will NOT be costuming this show in the traditional unitard dance costumes.

PRINCIPAL ENSEMBLE ROLES:

OLD DEUTERONOMY grey/ivory/tan/white

●      Traditionally a baritone feature role. The ancient leader of the tribe. Mature adult cat who is wise, calm, spiritual, commanding, fairly lively but moves slowly. *Does not require* strong movement/dance.

MUNKUSTRAP silver/black

●      Traditionally, this is a baritone “triple threat” role, the narrator of the show, host of the Jellicle Ball, and young leader of the tribe. Intense, energetic, brave and level-headed. Ideally has a strong background in jazz-theatre style dance.

RUM TUM TUGGER black/leopard/leather

●      Traditionally, this is a tenor feature role, that requires a strong “rock” vocal quality and falsetto. The “rock star” of the tribe. Cocky, flirtatious, charismatic with wild anarchic energy, young adult cat.

DEMETER blk/red/orange/gold/white

●      Traditionally, this is a mezzo feature role. The most intuitive young adult queen cat of the tribe (realizes Macavity’s deception,) another glamour cat. Smart, but always on edge. Jittery, and at times, intensely neurotic and wild. Ideally has a strong background in jazz-theatre style dance.

BOMBALURINA red/white/orange/gold/blk

●      Traditionally, this is a mezzo feature role. A young adult queen cat, the “glamour cat” of the tribe. Confident, flirtatious, a “bombshell” with loads of self-assurance. Ideally has a strong background in jazz-theatre style dance.

JELLYLORUM white/orange/gold/grey

●      Traditionally, this is a soprano, feature role. The “care-taker” adult queen cat of the tribe. Warm, protective, a “busybody” who likes to parent the kittens and keep order in the tribe.

GRIZABELLA Grey/blk/sparkle

●      Sensational, powerful vocals needed and strong acting/expression required. Must possess a wide dynamic vocal range with rich lower tones and strong belt up to Eb. The “outcast” of the tribe, the anti-hero adult cat of the show. Desperate, wistful, a lost soul who is attempting to regain dignity and acceptance from the tribe that has shunned her. *Does not require* strong movement/dance.

SKIMBLESHANKS orange/grey/ivory/white

●      Traditionally, this is a bari-tenor feature role. The “fun uncle (or aunt)” of the tribe. Spunky, meticulous, fun-loving and very animated adult cat. Ideally has a strong background in jazz-theatre style dance.

JENNYANYDOTS orange/white/ivory/grey

●      Traditionally, this is a mezzo/soprano feature role, The “eccentric aunt (or uncle)” of the tribe. Goofy, nurturing, a bossy “do-gooder” adult cat. Ideally has a strong background in *tap* and jazz-theatre style dance.

RUMPLETEAZER blk/orange/maroon/white

●      Traditionally, this is an alto, “triple-threat” role. Ideally a strong vocalist & dancer/acrobat. One half of the notorious “cat burglar” duo with Mungojerrie. Mischievous, fun-loving prankster, small-time crook and young adult cat who enjoys being naughty. Known for infectious giggle.

MUNGOJERRIE blk/maroon/orange/white

●      Traditionally, this is a baritone, “triple-threat”, role. Ideally a strong vocalist & dancer/acrobat. One half of the notorious “cat burglar” duo with Rumpleteazer.  Mischievous, fun-loving prankster, small-time crook and young adult cat who enjoys being naughty.

BUSTOPHER JONES (Cameo role) Blk/white

●     Traditionally, this is a baritone-tenor role, with strong “character voice”. The “aristocrat” of the tribe: pompous, stuffy, loves to flaunt their status and large size adult cat. *Does not require* strong movement/dance.

ASPARAGUS/ GUS THE THEATRE CAT grey/orange/white/tan

●      Traditionally, this is a bari-tenor role, with strong “character voices.” He is a “washed up has-been” in the tribe: comedically elderly, fragile, sweet, tired theatre actor.
Comes to life when story telling “The Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles.” *Does not require* strong movement/dance.

ENSEMBLE SUPPORT ROLES:

JEMIMA (possible Youth role) blk/maroon/red/orange/white

●      The “baby” of the tribe. Innocent, sweet, affectionate young kitten, full of “childlike wonder” and playful. A dancing cat with some significant featured singing lines. Ideally has a strong background in jazz-theatre style dance.

MR. MISTOFFELEES / QUAXO blk/white/tux/sparkle

●      The “magician” of the tribe, a young adult cat. Clever, impish, neat, a competitive show-off, dancing cat. Ideally has a strong background in *tap* and jazz-theatre style dance.

MACAVITY / ADMETUS blk/red/orange/brown

●      MACAVITY: The antagonist of the tribe, an aggressive, intense, violent, menacing young adult tom cat. A looming presence and malevolent criminal mastermind who enjoys breaking the law. Does some stage fighting.

●      ADMENTUS: A friendly, good-natured, easy-going cat. Tends to behave more like a kitten and can be somewhat goofy.

CORICOPAT (possible Youth role) blk/brown/tan/white

●      Twins with Tantomile who share a psychic link that enables them to sing and move with uncanny synchronization. Extremely mystic, quirky/strange, intense and aloof they appear mysterious and reticent, preferring to keep to themselves. When not shadowing Tantomile, Coricopat does socialize with others, but is not mischievous like the kittens, indeed is more likely to reprimand them for causing a disturbance.

TANTOMILE (possible Youth role) blk/brown/tan/white

●      Twins with Coricopat who seemingly share a psychic link that enables them to sing and move with uncanny synchronization. Extremely mystic, quirky/strange, intense and aloof they appear mysterious and reticent, preferring to keep to themselves. Tantomile is sometimes portrayed as having a more playful side joining the other kittens when swooning and dancing.

CASSANDRA brown/blk/tan

●      A beautiful, haughty, sophisticated, elegant sleek, poised, proud and very aloof adult queen cat. Set apart from the other cats and dislikes the childish antics of the kittens. A dancing cat that can be cold or distant at times.

CARBUCKETTY (possible Youth role) maroon/blk/grey/white

●      A young athletic, troublesome, fun-loving and brave kitten. Often seen causing trouble or messing about with the other kittens. Often in the middle of things.

ALONZO white/blk

●      Athletic, electric, protective, confident and somewhat self-centered but loyal young adult tom cat. Suave and flirty often engaging interactions with the queens. Some partnering and stage fighting.

BILL BAILEY brown/leopard/blk/silver/stripes

●      A chaotic, imprudent, funny, very energetic, playful, mischievous and easily excited young adult cat.

VICTORIA white/ivory

●      The white young adult cat. Curious, uninhibited, graceful, elegant, flexible, dancing cat. Ideally has a strong background in *ballet* and jazz-theatre style dance.

ENSEMBLE ROLES:

ETCETERA white/grey

●      A hyperactive, boisterous, emotional and funny kitten. Biggest fan of ‘Rum Tum Tugger,’ who squeals with excitement swooning over him throughout the show.

ELECTRA (possible youth) orange/blk/tiger stripes/white

●      A reserved, quiet and cautious kitten. Despite her more serious nature, Electra still has a playful streak and often joins the other kittens in their antics.

EXOTICA brown/black

●      A shy, mysterious, quiet, watchful young adult queen cat who gracefully lurks throughout the show. A dancing cat.

POUNCIVAL (possible Youth) gold/tan/brown/blk

●      Overly energetic, curious, athletic, playful, young, troublesome, fun-loving kitten. Often seen messing about and having fun with the other kittens.

GEORGIE grey/blk/brown

●      A dancing young adult cat who is social, excitable, mature and often in the middle of things. Always grinning.

GILBERT (possible Youth) brown/tan/gold

●      An acrobatic, goofy kitten who is usually a smaller performer on the trapeze or perched up on high ledges of the set.

TUMBLEBRUTIS (possible Youth) gold/grey/white

●      a featured acrobatic kitten, unsure of themselves trying to be one of the big cats but still getting up to mischief with the other kittens.

Victor grey/white

●      An athletic and protective young adult tom cat who gets involved and problem solves. Some partnering and stage fighting.

ENSEMBLE VOCALISTS, DANCERS, ACROBATS:

Tabby cats, Black cats, Calico cats and more,

MUSICAL NUMBERS:

#2 “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats (part 1 & 2)”- Company
#3 “The Naming of Cats” – Some Ensemble
#4 “The Old Gumbie Cat” – Munkustrap, Jellylorum, Demeter, Bombalurina, Jennyanydots, Company
#5 “The Rum Tum Tugger” – Tugger, Quaxo, Bombalurina, Some Ensemble
#5a “Entry of Grizabella” – Grizabella, Demeter, Bombalurina, Some Ensemble
#6 “Bustopher Jones” – Bustopher Jones, Jennyanydots, Bombalurina, Jellylorum, Guys
#7 “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer” – Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer
#8 “Old Deuteronomy” – Tantomile, Coricopat, Tugger, Munkustrap, Deuteronomy, Some Ensemble
#9 “Intro to The Jellicle Ball”- Munkastrap, Girls Group, Cassandra, Bombalurina, Jellylorum.

#10 “The Song of the Jellicles” and “The Jellicle Ball”- Deuteronomy, Munkustrap, Victoria Jemima, Alonzo, Carbuckety, Skimble, Bill, Quaxo, Admetus, Gus, Demeter, Bombalurina, Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Cassandra, Some Ensemble, Company.
#11 “Grizabella: The Glamour Cat” – Grizabella.

#12“The Moments of Happiness” – Deuteronomy, Jemima, Company
#13 “Gus: The Theatre Cat” – Gus, Jellylorum
#14 “The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles” – Gus, Munkustrap, Rumpleteazer, Carbuckety, Mungojerrie, Deuteronomy, Company.

#14a “Gus: The Theatre Cat (Reprise)” – Gus
#15 “Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat” – Deuteronomy, Rumpleteazer, Skimble, Jellylorum, Company
#16 “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” – Macavity, Demeter, Bombalurina, Girls
#17 “Mr. Mistoffelees” – Tugger, Mistoffelees, Some Ensemble
#18 “Memory” – Grizabella, Jemima, Munkustrap, Some Ensemble
#19 “The Journey to the Heaviside Layer” – Company
#20 “The Ad-Dressing of Cats” – Deuteronomy, Company
#21 “Finale” – Company