MANILA, Philippines - Wordplay by the wordsmith Eliot, melodies by mellow Manilow (and Streisand and…), a memory of one ferociously mischievous musical by Weber. There are many things one remembers upon hearing the song titled Memory. For me there is a new association: Lea Salonga looking upward in her resplendent gown and giving life to Grizabella in that unforgettable scene where the once-glamorous cat recalls her glory days.
That was during the recent press launch of Cats Now and Forever at Dusit Thani Manila. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will be performed by an international cast at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo starting July 24, 2010. Playing Grizabella in Cats is our very own Lea Salonga, best known for playing Kim in Miss Saigon. She won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theater World Awards. She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway.
Lea says if she is able to handle a “meat-grinder of a show like Cats,” she wants to take on another dream role: Evita Peron.
“The thing about British musicals is that when the tragedy is played out, it is really played out — you travel along with it,” Lea observes. “There is a high level of darkness in musicals like Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, or Cats. You can feel the darkness. I remember being destroyed at the very end of Phantom. ‘My God, they’re so good at it!’”
Surely this: The hearts of Filipino theatergoers will be stirred by Grizabella, the disheveled belle of a cat who makes an appeal to the feline tribe through song. And is there a better lyricist in a musical than the author of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”?
Cats is based on the book of poems Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats written by T.S. Eliot and first published in 1939. Although Eliot generally thought his cat poems were intended for children, they turned out to be equally appealing and amusing to adults. Almost 70 years on, the story and characters of Cats still hold immense appeal for audiences of any age and background.
The original production of Cats — produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group and directed by the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company director, Trevor Nunn — was first staged in London’s West End on May 11, 1981. It opened on Broadway on Oct. 7, 1982 and went on to hold the unique position of being the longest-running musical in both West End and Broadway history until Jan. 9, 2006. Cats has been presented in 10 languages in 300 cities in over 26 countries — including places such as Buenos Aires, Seoul, Helsinki and Hong Kong.
Not bad for a musical set in a rubbish dump.
The Manila season of Cats is produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus, and All Youth Channels, in association with The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific.
“A city without art is not a city at all,” concludes Lunchbox Theatrical Productions CEO James Cundall, who underscores the importance of bringing in an artistic milestone such as Cats to the Philippines. “Cats remains one of the most iconic musicals in the history of show business.”
* * *
Cats Now and Forever is presented by Citi and supported by Smart Infinity. OOCL is the official ocean carrier. Dusit Thani Manila is the official hotel. All Youth Channel is the official marketing arm.
Aneth Lim of Citibank says, “We’re very happy to be a title sponsor and help make it possible for Cats to be staged here in Manila. Citi customers enjoy a 10-percent discount on ticket prices, and they can choose to pay for them by using Citi Mobile. With Citi Mobile, they won’t need to leave the comforts of your home or office. Just call Ticketworld, book your tickets, and pay by sending a text message from your mobile phone. No need to swipe your plastic.”
Tickets are priced from P750 to P7,000. The family package is applicable to matinee shows only. Buy four tickets on prize zone P5,000 and get 40-percent discount. Senior citizens enjoy 20-percent discount and students get 10-percent discount. Group sales (30 tickets and up) can avail of a 10-percent discount.
Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets, selected National Book Store branches, Robinsons Department Store (Galleria, Malate, Metro East, Festival Mal and Starmill Pampanga), and Ayala Center (Greenbelt 1, Glorietta 4 and TriNoma Mall Cinema Booths) and TicketWorld office at 6793 Ayala Ave., Suite 701V. Madrigal Bldg., Makati City. For every ticket purchase of Cats, P250 will be donated to the Red Cross until Dec. 31.
For information, call 891-9999, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.