Cats

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 and are initially suspicious and reluctant to allow the audience into their world. But their pride wins out and in “The Naming of Cats” they explain who they are and reveal that cats have three different names. Firstly the one the family uses on a daily basis, then a more dignified name, and, finally, their secret name.

Victoria, a young white cat, begins a ballet solo to signal the opening of the Jellicle Ball (“The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball”). Munkustrap, a large gray tabby and the main