Because of Millburn Kids, This 'Cats' Will Be Better Than 'Cats'

MILLBURN, NJ — If you want to introduce your family to the hit Broadway musical "Cats" without sitting through the poorly reviewed movie, you can enjoy the stage show — with Andrew Lloyd Webber's rousing score and poet T.S. Eliot's lyrics — on a local level. Front & Center for Performing Arts will bring the show to Morristown on Jan. 31, Feb. 1, and Feb. 2, and best of all, many of the young cast members are from Millburn. They include Alex Tavel as the magical Mr. Mistoffelees and Maddie Bobish as Mungojerrie.

In addition, two of the Millburn students are double cast in the role of Grizabella, who sings “Memory.” Dylan Hammer will play the role on Friday evening/Saturday matinee, and Halle Just will do so on Saturday evening and at the Sunday matinee.

Here is the full list of Millburn youngsters and their roles:

• Dahlia Bitterman (Pouncival)
• Maddie Bobish (Mungojerrie)
• Danielle Gordon (Sillabub)
• Jordyn Gulliford (Augusta)
• Dylan Hammer (Grizabella/Exotica)
• Gemma Heitin (Corriander)
• Diya Jain (Desiree)
• Halle Just (Grizabella/Exotica)
• Annie Lischer (George)
• Parker Rosenbaum (Peter)
• Katie Seifer (Jellylorum)
• Jessica Sherman (Etcetera)
• Lily Speltz (James)
• Alex Tavel (Mr. Mistoffelees)
• Deena Weiss (Alonzo/Rumpus Cat)

The original "Cats" premiered in 1981 in London, then debuted at the Winter Garden Theater in New York in 1982. The score, costumes, and dance earned raves, and the song "Memory" became a hit. The show highlights the personalities and quirks of the different cats, as audience members wonder which cat will be chosen for an important journey.

The show is based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. Additional material was written by Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe.

"I am so thrilled to bring this history-making musical to the stage again," said art director Renee Celeste of Springfield. "I've had a long history with this show; seeing it on Broadway as a kid, dancing in it as a young performer, and now seeing it with my own children as a parent. Cats the musical is really now and forever! I hope you will bring your own children."

Front and Center for Performing Arts is a nonprofit theater studio based in Springfield, N.J., that holds classes for all ages and skill levels.

The shows are Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. They're held at Dolan Performance Hall, College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, 07960.

Tickets should be purchased in advance at https://m.bpt.me/event/4474997. If there are extras, they will be sold at the door. Call 973-258-1123 or email info@front-n-center.com for more information.

Just proof that "Cats" really does have nine lives.