Viterbo Presents CATS
The student performers at Viterbo University have been working long and hard for the fall production of CATS. While most students were still on summer vacation, the cast was required to return to campus a whole week before classes began to start rehearsals.
Because of the rigorous choreography, students of the cast were also required to return to La Crosse completely memorized and off book. Students have been playing in empty spaces, becoming in tune with their inner feline.
Through the connections of director Shane Rhodes, the cast and other students from Viterbo University got to work closely with Michael Gruber, who played Munkustrap in both the filmed version of CATS and on Broadway for many years. Gruber worked a master class open for all students to participate in and sat in on a CATS rehearsal to work closely with our cast.
Gruber explained how every movement on stage means something, whether a cat is curious, afraid, or protective. Cats are such interesting creatures and to see our very own students nailing the intense choreography and singing required for this show is amazing.
This show is so unlike any other musical we have put on at Viterbo. CATS the musical has set Broadway records for longest running show both in the U.S. and the U.K. The U.S show ran for 18 years and in the U.K., CATS ran for 21 years.
Not only is it a show worth seeing because of the nostalgic themes and constant entertainment, but with each production of CATS comes a unique cast as well. It is truly exciting to wait and see what our Viterbo University cast has in store for the community.
Since the rehearsals and choreography have been solid regarding skill and performance, the cast has been experimenting with their feline looks through final costume fittings and makeup.
Aimeé Nair Mangual, Alicia Diaz and Esperanza Tyson have helped shape and design wigs and draw makeup designs for the actors to follow during the run of the show. These last few weeks of rehearsal have been used for cleaning choreography, incorporating lifts, and finalizing the set on the main stage. The show performs the weekend of October 12, and ends it run on October 14. Be sure to get your tickets while they last!