LONG BEACH - "Cats," the longest-running musical in Broadway history, opens at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach this weekend.Based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," the musical is set at the annual reunion of the Jellicle cats at the Jellicle Ball. The eldest of this special breed, Old Deuteronomy, seeks to select which of the many cats in the neighborhood will be reborn to begin another life. Potential candidates named Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger and Bustopher Jones plead their case. Ultimately, it is Grizabella and her plea for a for a new life that wins the old cat over. Winner of seven Tony Awards including best musical, "Cats" features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song "Memories." The original production opened at the New London Theatre in the West End on May 11, 1981. "Cats" opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on Oct. 7, 1982 and continued to live up to its motto of playing "Now and Forever," running until its closing in September, 2000. On June 19, 1997, the show became the longest-running musical on Broadway. The performance schedule for "Cats" is Thursdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $20, with last-row seating available at an additional discount. Tickets to see "Cats" are now on sale and may be purchased online at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.

********** Published: February 10, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 43