Trying the cat wigs: Anton San Diego, Melissa Monasterio, Tim Yap, Cris M. Belen and Pepper Tehankee.

ADELAIDE, Australia – A group of journalists from Manila arrived here recently for a four-day visit to the set of the hit musical “CATS, Now and Forever,” in preparation for its Manila performance middle of this year. “CATS” Manila will have Ms. Lea Salonga leading an international cast, the same cast that is currently making a return performance at the Festival Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre. “CATS” Manila will be shown at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP) on a limited engagement starting on July 24, 2010.

With a magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber that includes the poignant hit song “Memory,” the song and dance spectacular presentation “CATS” holds the distinction of being the best known and best loved the world has ever known, and also being the longest-running musical in the history of both Broadway in New York and the West End in London, before it was overtaken by “Phantom of the Opera,” another work of Andrew Lloyd Webber, followed by “Les Miserables.”

After watching the musical, the Manila group (composed of Maurice Arcache, Emmie Velarde, Jocel Adorable, Tim Yap, Pepper Tehankee, Jerry Donato, Ma. Alicia Herrera, Isagani Bayan, Jeanette Ng Lim, San Diego Antonio, Angela Norma Robinson, Robert Sewell, Melissa Monasterio, Bambi Verzo, and this writer) was given a stage and backstage tour by Bec Windsor, company manager, and Pene Quarry, production stage manager.

‘CATS’ junkyard

The “CATS’s” junkyard composed of things they’ve accumulated throughout their three-year tour will be flown in to Manila to make the appropriate set at the CCP. “There’ll be eight containers of them that we’re bringing to Manila, and hopefully on our way back, we’ll be able to find in the Philippines some junks to be added to our set wherever we go,” Bec said.

There are 27 (or 29) cast members who’ll be coming to Manila, and needless to say, they will be bringing everything like the costumes and the wigs and the other “CATS” paraphernalias. “CATS” is a very unique and great show and we’re all excited to come to Manila,” Bec and Pene said. It would be great indeed to bring the Pinoy audience to the cat world.

The cast

There are 29 of them in the cast of “CATS:” Glen Oliver (as Alonzo), Monique Chanel Pitsikas (Bombalurina), Michael-John Hurney (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger); Emily Keane (Cassandra); Brian Gillespie (Coricopat); Renee Burleigh (Demeter); Delia Hannah (Grizabella, the role that Lea Salonga will be playing at the CCP and for which she will start rehearsing in June in Adelaide); Lisa-Marie Parker (Jellylorum/Griddlebone); Laura McCulloch (Jennyanydots); Adrian Ricks (Mr. Mistoffelees); Brenton Wilson (Mungojerry); Shaun Rennie (Munkustrap); John Ellis (Old Deuteronomy); James Cooper (Plato/Macavity); Caleb Bartolo (Pouncival); John O’Hara (Rum Tum Tugger); Justine Puy (Rumpleteaser); Alyse Jai Davies (Sillabub); Darren Tyler (Skimbleshanks); Kathryn Sgroi (Tantomile); Brent Osborne (Tumblebrutus); Stephanie Silcock (Victoria); Sndrew Dunne (Admetus); Markham Gannon (Carbuckety); Mischana Dellora-Cornish (Electra); Kyle A. Stevens (George); Erin James (Olivia); and Brent Dolahenny (Quaxo).

In addition to Paul White, the musical director, Sharyn Winney, resident director/choreographer; Sharon Case, head of wigs and Ron Morrison, head of wardrobe, we were able to interview among the cast John Ellis, John O’Hara, and Shaun Rennie and were able to watch James Cooper (yes, namesake of our very own popular hairdresser James Cooper) transform himself – so fast, in just 10 minutes, and so efficiently into Plato and Macavity). But more on them in succeeding issues.

Paul White, musical director

Like the rest in the “Cats: Adelaide” production in team, Paul White, the musical director, is excited to go to Manila, his second visit actually, the first being 10 years ago when they presented “Miss Saigon” at the CCP. It was a most unforgettable experience for Paul, not only professionally but on a personal level as well. Because it was at that time that he met his love partner, Angeline Cabauatan, who’s from Tuguegarao.

Angeline and Paul now reside in Adelaide, since a month ago when they had to present “CATS.” Before that, “we’ve been living in a suitcase,” Paul said. They were on tour for three years, and Angeline has to be with him of course. “She loves what I’m doing,” he added, “and every now and then, she sings,” he beamed.

They’re not married yet, because Angeline hasn’t been divorced from her first husband. Paul is himself divorced.

He has been doing theatre work for the last 23 years, Paul said. Although he studied jazz, he is more inclined to the classical. He studied classical piano with Dr. Graham Williams at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Honors degree in Performance (1984), followed by a diploma in Jazz Performance (1986). His conducting study began with Broadway legend Gordon Harrell in New York (1992-93) and continued with the great Romanian conductor Robert Rosen in Melbourne (1993-96).

As pianist and musical director, Paul has worked in concert with top artists including Michael Crawford, Ricky May, Todd McKenny, Toni Lamond, Danny La Rue, Caroline O’Connor, Julie Anthony, Simon Gallaher, and Philip Gould. He has been involved with many of the major music theatre productions in the last 15 years, notably conducting “West Side Story,” starring Marina Prior and Todd McKenny, “Les Miserables” (Australia, New Zealand and Asia), “My Fair Lady” starring Anthony Warlow, “42nd St.” (Helen Montague), aside from doing African tours for Cameron Mackintosh.

More recently, Paul was musical director of “Oliver!” starring John Waters (Cameron Mackintosh, IMG), “Annie” starring Anthony Warlow (SEL, Gordon Frost, Macks Entertainment), “Chicago” (IMG),” and “Grease – The Arena Spectacular” (SEL, Gordon Frost).

Prior to ‘CATS’

Paul has just come from Perth where he was musical director of “Pal Joey” and then “Assassins” which was staged at the distinguished WAAPA Music Theatre Academy.

“CATS” the musical was based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” written by T. E. Eliott. It was to his godchildren that Eliott first revealed him as Old Possum. He wrote to them (in particular Tom Faber and Alison Tandy) and described and drew his Liolliecat called Jellylorum, whose “one idea is to be useful… and yet is so little and small that it can sit on my ear!”

The musical opens with a spectacular scene wherein all the Jellicle Cats come in their best for the annual festival and ball when the wise Old Deuteronomy will choose which one of the Jellicle Cats will journey to the Heaviside Layer to be “reborn” into a new life! On this special night, all the cats emerge singing of their unique abilities and special traits.

At first, the cats are suspicious and reluctant to allow the audience into their domain, but in “The Naming of the Cats,” they explain to their human visitors who they are and reveal that cats have three different names: The one the family uses daily, a more dignified name, and a secret name.

Victoria, a young white cat, dances to signal The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball. Munskustrap, a large grey tabby, explains that the Jellicle Cats meet once a year to rejoice! Jennyanydots, the Old Gumbie Cat, sleeps and lounges all day long for that’s what makes a Gumbie cat. The Rum Tum Tugger is a playful prankster that the female cats find extremely attractive, and who enjoys being the center of attention.

Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, is shunned by the rest of the tribe despite being a Jellicle Cat because she left the tribe years ago to explore the outside world and now wants to return. So watch out for Lea Salonga who will be playing Grizabella.

“CATS” Manila is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises and Concentus, in association with The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and All Youth Channels, Inc.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 24 go to Jeremias Montemayor, Lourna Kalaw-Tirol, Pacita de Guzman, Dr. Nellie Acosta, Dr. Marilyn Alentajan, Zebedee Zuniga, Fe Rodriguez, Mely Cheek of London, Danny Boy D. Martinez of New York, Chona Sevilla, Rachelle Arnaldo, Bernie Buenaseda, Maria Paz Arambulo Tolentino, Monica Galima, Maries Soliman, and Mrs. Minnie Seneres.