Artistic Director John McDonald opened the show by telling our audience that this production is a “dream come true” for the Roxy. It is a dream unfolding for lucky Clarksvillians who get to enjoy this ambitious live theatre production.  We’ve watched the Roxy take on bolder and more expensive productions like this, giving year after year of continuous shows of quality in our community.  We, the audience, can help them by going to the shows and supporting this artistic endeavor.

The live theatre experience is different each time we go.  Performers make it different; so do the audience. Some audiences are more hyped up and that hypes up the actors too.  It’s important to hype up the actors; I’ve been on the acting side thanks to this theatre.  A stone quiet audience makes you feel like you are not creating any effect.  You are not real, about the same level as a TV or movie.  An audience who laughs out loud and claps gives you an exchange, communication, a sign that they’re alive and so are you.  You don’t do acting for money; you do it to dare to be alive.  An alive audience is “with you” and that’s an actor’s reward.

The stage for CATS has giant sized trash props made by art students of Austin Peay State University and Amber Wallace.  I have never seen such beautiful fish skeletons.

Barry Kitterman helps David Boen build a retractable ramp for the stage of Cats.

The singing is central to the production, but the dancing carries it to incredible heights.  I couldn’t hear all the words, but gaps in hearing the words were filled with the dancing and constant movement on the stage.  Last time I went to opening night I couldn’t hear all the words either.  Know what?  It got better.  The second time I went I could hear almost every word.

Chad Parsons must have an excellent “cat teacher” because I thought he was most cat like.  Dan Gershaw was an excellent choice to sing about Magical Mr. Mistoffeles, and I expect Dan will get even bolder.  Ted Jones was so personable, and local Roxy student Brianna Fuller revealed herself (yet again) as an amazing dancer.

Hannah Carmona, also a local student, was in the show but I didn’t recognize her!  Both local girls were professional hits.  Liz McFarlane impressed me with her strong presence.  Amanda Bailey has a loud (thank you) and awesome voice.  It is great to see Bryan Zoppi on stage.  Alicia Kelly really belted out that lead song; Amber Wallace sitting next to me, was brought to tears.  Macavity, the song, was pretty cool.  This production included some amazing ballet performances by several actor and tap dancing on the side.

This show is fascinating because all these talented people support each other and at the same time let every cat show their distinct personalities in subtle and obvious ways.  There’s a lot to watch and appreciate.

Thanks to this wonderful talent, most of whom hail most recently from New York City.  Thanks to the Roxy for the hard work it takes to put out continuous excellent entertainment. Please support the incredible talent and show provides to us.  And thanks to John McDonald, who definitely stole the show with his performance!

The Roxy is generously giving the proceeds from one performance to “Cats R Us” in Clarksville.

Carlie and Destiny Lane pose with Cats.

Miracle Powell poses with Cats

Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats, at which time one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer.  Featuring a cast of seventeen and the fresh and energetic choreography of Braham Logan Crane, CATS is certain to delight and inspire audiences of all ages.

The Roxy Regional Theatre will be performing the Broadway musical hit "CATS." April 10 through May 2. (Photo By: Greg Williamson/The Leaf-Chronicle)

Starring Alicia Kelly as Grizabella, with Dr. Thomas King and Dr. Ted Jones sharing the role of Old Deuteronomy, CATS features Jarusha Ariel (Victoria), Amanda Bailey (Bombalurina), Kaitlin Becker (Rumpleteazer), Hannah Carmona (Exotica), Elizabeth Flanagan (Jellylorum), Brianna Fuller (Tantomile), Dan Gershaw (Rum Tum Tugger), Joseph Dale Harris (Mr. Mistoffelees), Liz McFarlane (Jennyanydots), Patrick McLaughlin (Munkustrap), Chad Parsons (Skimbleshanks), Maggie Politi (Demeter), Maigan Torre (Cassandra), Bryan Zoppi (Mungojerrie) and Roxy Artistic Director John McDonald as Gus the Theatre Cat.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for ages 13 and under) and can be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org or by calling (931) 645-7699 during regular box office hours (9am-2pm, weekdays).

Click here to view the embedded video.

The program features Paul Binkley on guitar playing music from his Christmas CD “Do You Hear What I Hear”. Paul is a former Austin Peay music student, spent five years performing with the Grammy Award winning band Alabama, and is currently president of Grand Vista Music, a Nashville-based recording company.

The concert will also showcase members of the APSU Music Department faculty including: singers Tom King, Sharon Mabry, and Gail Robinson-Oturu; pianists Anne Glass and Jeff Wood; violinist Emily Crane; woodwind players Lisa Vanarsdel and Jeanette Zyko; brass players Francis Massinon, Richard Steffen, and Chris Vivio; guitarist Stanley Yates; and percussionists Richard Frey and David Steinquest. Karen Sorenson and Ted Jones from Languages and Literature will provide narration.

Selections from Paul’s recording will include fresh arrangements of holiday favorites such as “O Holy Night”, “Little Drummer Boy”, “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming”, “I Wonder as I Wander”, “Ave Maria”, “Carol of the Bells”, “Silent Night”, and “Away in a Manger”. The program also includes James Taylor’s version of “Some Children See Him” and Michael McDonald’s song “Peace”, and instrumental settings of “Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella” and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”.

Tickets are $5.00 General Admission (APSU students get in free with I.D.) and will be available Monday, December 1, 2008 in the Music Office (MMC 139). For information, contact Norma Jean Smith at 221-7818.