“Cats” opened Friday, Aug. 29, at the Fountain Hills Theater to a sold-out audience, and will play until Sept. 14. We are one of the first in the Valley to attempt this lavish production. Andrew Lloyd Webber has set to music the great poet T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” It is directed by our creative genius couple Peter J. Hill and Noel Irick. Produced by Patrica Tonzi, musically directed by Flora Mogerman and choreographed by Noel Irick.

The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles. They all strut their stuff and hope to be the one picked to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and hope to come back to a new life. With names like Old Deuteronomy, Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Grizabella and Asparagus, “Gus” for short, you know you are in for a fun evening. Thanks to Noel…oh the dancing. All those cats…so little space. Awesome!

“Cats” first opened in 1981 in the West End and on Broadway in 1982 and has been playing ever since. It is difficult to single out any single performance…they are all that good. But I must mention Debra Qualtire as Grizabella, the former glamour cat, who has lost her sparkle and now only wants to be accepted. As she sings “Memories” we can all relate to perhaps better times of “a place in the sun.” But not to give up hope, we can all shine again, perhaps even brighter, as we age, and continue on.

Tickets are going fast, so if interested call 837-9661. Also save the date of Nov. 30 for “High Noon at Gunsight Pass,” a fundraiser for the theater that you will hearing more about very soon.

See you at the theater.