Overview
Synopsis
Based on T.S. Eliot’s whimsical collection of poems, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical brings together a tribe of Jellicle Cats on a moonlit evening, who must make the “Jellicle choice” to decide which of them will ascend to the mysterious Heaviside Layer to be reborn. Featuring such celebrated standards as the haunting “Memory,” Cats was an international phenomenon and its original production is still the fifth-longest-running show on Broadway. A magical, moving, and often hilarious glimpse into the lives of others, Cats takes Eliot’s lyrical poetry and puts it into the mouths of a diverse company of singing, dancing felines.
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Context
T.S. Eliot wrote Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats during the late 1930’s and it was published in October 1939. Andrew Lloyd Webber enjoyed reading Eliot’s cat poems as a child and he was inspired by their lyrical, rhythmic nature. He began writing Cats in the late 1970’s, following on from his success with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita, on which he collaborated with Tim Rice. Most of the lyrics in Cats were taken directly from
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Act One
Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. But then there is an explosion of music and lights, revealing a larger-than-life junkyard. Quick-footed cats are briefly caught in the flash of car lights driving by. Tonight is a special night. The one night each year when the Jellicle Cats come together to celebrate. Slowly, they emerge singing of their unique abilities and special traits (“Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats”). The cats then notice that they are being watched by the audience
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Showing 8 of 28 characters
Interactive Character Map
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Character Portrayals
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Songs
Showing 8 of 21 songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Redemption and Rebirth (or Salvation)
One of the central narrative arcs revolves around the annual Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy selects one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer for rebirth into a new "Jellicle" life. This culminates in the redemption of the outcast Grizabella, who is chosen despite (or because of) her fallen state. Interpretations often frame this allegorically as a Christian message of salvation, forgiveness, and renewal—Grizabella’s journey echoes
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"Are you blind when you're born? Can you see in the dark? Dare you look at a king? Would you sit on his throne? ... Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do, Jellicles do and Jellicles would, Jellicles would and Jellicles can..."
["Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats"]
This opening number establishes the whimsical yet ritualistic identity of the Jellicle tribe through a series of rhetorical questions that define their mysterious, versatile nature. It sets the tone for the entire musical as a
to read our analysis of select quotes from Cats and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Key Terms
An 11 o’clock number is a show-stopping song that appears late in a musical, usually near the climax. It is often performed by the lead character and delivers a surge of emotional or dramatic power. The number reenergizes the audience and sets up the finale.
A classical dance form used in theatre for expressive movement, storytelling, and interdisciplinary performance.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A concept musical is a type of musical structured around a central idea, theme, or message rather than a straightforward linear plot. Songs, characters, and scenes are often arranged to explore this unifying concept from different perspectives. This style allows for greater experimentation and can blend satire, social commentary, or abstract storytelling.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A large-scale musical with elaborate staging, global appeal, and strong branding, such as *Les Misérables* or *Phantom*.
