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I know thousands of people have seen 'Cats' ...

posted 10 years ago by bemibet-880-233748
2 replies | jump to latest

... but has anyone ever seen it twice?

I just saw a high school production of it and most of it was pretty painful. And it wasn't the kids' fault, my family sees the all-school musical every year and they do a good job every year. And it's not that I'm jealous that it was the longest running musical in Broadway history, I love "A Chorus Line" and "Les Miserables" and "The King and I" and many other successful musicals.
And I love "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Joseph" from Andrew Lloyd Webber.
But the lyrics were mostly bad and the plot was mostly non-existent.

"I've read plenty of damn bibles."

[–] crothman 10 years ago

It's highly amusing you think that the lyrics are bad, considering who wrote it (You do know who T.S. Eliot was, don't you?). They lyrics are the biggest strength.

It's not a plot-driven musical; just a series of sketches (though there is an overriding theme). I agree the musical is overrated, but there are plenty of people who love it. It's strongest point is the spectacle, and most high school productions don't have to budget to make that work.

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Read Staroamer's Fate http://is.gd/WdmgqC & Syron's Fate http://is.gd/L2Vzrg

[–] bemibet-880-233748 10 years ago

Yes, I do know who T. S. Eliot was. But the lyrics of most of the songs are still bad.
My family recently saw a high school production of Les Miserables, and I had to compare the ending songs to my son as we were walking out:

Les Miserables - Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing? Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes!"

Cats - So this is this, and that is that,
And that's how you address a cat."

Maybe poems written by someone for his godchild isn't the most solid foundation for a great musical.

"I can never find a horn when I'm mad."