9 Reasons to see CATS at the Miller Theater

My family has always been a cat family. Our pets are cats, we love the tiger cove at the zoo and when The Bee was yonger, we found a DVD of a Broadway version of the show that we watched several times per DAY and memorized and sang all of the songs.

So, of course, now that there is a tour of CATS, I was excited to be able to see the live show, thanks to CJM Public Relations.

Without exaggeration, CATS has moved up to one of my top five musicals, and here are nine reasons you need to get a ticket before the show ends its run in Philly.

1. Ibn Snell‘s performance of Mr. Mistoffelees literally stopped the show. The energy and excitement during his number spread through the audience and we were dancing (ok, *I* was dancing) and tapping my feet and clapping and I wanted more. Also, Ibn is from Philly and Philly is gonna Philly. 
   
   
2. Tayler Harris‘s Grizabella made me cry. I know Memory is showstopper, but I have always left the room when Memory would start playing but tonight, I was moved to tears as Tayler pored her heart into Grizabella. I felt every regret, every moment of sadness and I got chills when Tayler hit that note. If you need a good cathartic ugly cry, get your ticket. 
   
   
3. Hank Santos’s Rum Tum Tugger. I got the vapors during his number. The Rum Tug Tugger has always been my favorite song, but Hank’s moves and charisma had me screaming like some teeny bopper.
   
   
4. The live orchestra. The music was flawless. I am usually a person who gets upset if the live show does not sound exactly like the soundtrack. The orchestra, led by Johnathan Gorst, was true to the soundtrack I love but also fresh and funky and beautiful. 
   
   
5. Yuka Notsuka as Victoria. She was a joy to watch! Her dancing was beautiful and graceful and a pleasant pause during the show.
   
   
6. The whole cast was amazing. The worked as one and the movements were sleek and smooth and so thrilling to watch. 
   
   
7. The dancing and movements were, well, cat like. The dancers were full of energy from the very first number to the last. During my short lived role as a background dancer for a local theater company I saw just how much work was put into each act and all of the dancers were amazing. There were flips and jumps and lifts and actions that didn’t seem physically possible but they made it happen and it was a spectacular to be seen. 
8. The costumes and set! It really felt like I was watching cats (human sized, but cats) chilling in a junkyard. Even though I quietly sang along to all of the songs and knew what was going to happen, I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next scene. The performers each looked like individual cats and moved like a wonderful clan. 
   
   
9. The Miller Theater has some really good seats! There really were no bad seats, I didn’t have to do any kind of creative head bobs to see the stage and every staff member I encountered was pleasant. 
   
   
   

If you go:
CATS is playing at the Miller Theater located at 250 S Broad Street. 

The show is running now through March 19. Click this link to see available tickets and seating. 

Thank you to CJM Public relations for tickets to the show. This has been my honest review.