LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
The Jellicle Cats are coming to town, and they’re bringing with them more than just toe-tapping tunes and whimsical choreography—they’re showcasing the very best of local talent, passion and community spirit.
Paris Community Theater (PCT) is staging a production of Cats, the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical this weekend, and according to director Eric Hendrickson, the choice was both a calculated and confident one.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a show, including what local talent is capable of, the sets and tech that are achievable, and “What will people come to see,” according to Hendrickson.
“After last year’s ‘Chicago,’ we knew that we had a lot of local talent capable of learning music and choreography at a high level,” he explained. “We know that we have a wonderful facility with the equipment necessary to put on a great production. And we know that audiences like big, classic shows.”
Those factors led Hendrickson and other members of PCT to select Cats.
“Cats is one of those shows that ticks all of those boxes. The music is certainly some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best,” he said, adding that the music is “the best in musical theater, period – in my humble opinion, of course.”
The show is also famous for its choreography, something Hendrickson believes will shine with this year’s cast.
“The show has historically always featured great choreography, which is both whimsical and magical, allowing for interesting lighting options,” he said. “Love it or hate it, everyone knows about Cats. Hopefully, more people love it.”
In addition to music and movement, the set and setting offered the community theatre its own charm, re-imagined to feel a little more like home.
“When licensing the show, the rights holders encourage you to place the show in a setting that might resonate with your local audiences,” Hendrickson said. “Because we are situated in a more rural area, we decided that this year’s Jellicle Ball would be in what I like to call the ‘Jellicle Barn.’ I feel like everyone around here is familiar with barn cats.”
The creativity doesn’t stop at the set. While a few notable costume pieces were purchased from Springfield Little Theatre, the majority are being made by hand—by the community, for the community.
“Wigs, body suits, tails and flair were all crafted in the high school,” Hendrickson said. “When I say we have lots of local talent, I definitely mean it.”
The costuming for each cat includes a wig, leg warmers and body suit, in addition to a face full of make-up. Each cat is also made to look “unique.”
“No two cats, and no two costumes are the same. It is so cool,” Megan Carroll, who plays Grizabella in the production, explained.
“There have been hours and hours poured into each one of these costumes,” she said. “A lot of people have taken a lot of pride in making their own, they have a vision and they know what they want and how their cat should look.”
Carroll herself said she took costume matters into her own hands finding ways to embellish and add to her Grizabella costume, including the addition of “sparkle tights and shoes,” and “some fun curls and tinsel.”
“It is crazy the different layers and textures and colors that are involved in every single piece, from the wigs to the tails, leg warmers and the whole costume,” she said.
Helping the cast members are a dedicated crew of crafter and volunteers. They have showed up routinely for wig making days, according to Carroll.
“They are truly some of the most dedicated and talented people you will meet,” Carroll said.
The community support has extended far beyond the stage and costume room. Numerous local sponsors helped make the show possible, and Hendrickson emphasized their crucial role.
“Most people don’t realize just what it takes to put on productions of this level, and we certainly would not be able to present shows like these without our sponsors,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to Paris High School for access to its facilities during the six-week production period.
In preparation for tonight’s 7 p.m. curtain call, Hendrickson is filled with pride and appreciation.
“I hope our audiences leave the show with a sense of pride,” he said. “Cats is a big show, and the amount of talent that we have locally is incredible. The folks on stage and behind the scenes are students, teachers, coworkers and friends in the community, and I hope everyone realizes just how special it is to have this level of talent in our region.”
To the cast, crew and volunteers who brought the Jellicle Ball to life, Hendrickson had one simple message: “Thank you.”
“I hope everyone realizes just how much I appreciate their time and talents,” he said. “Paris Community Theater would not be able to consistently put on high-level productions without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. I say frequently that all I really do is make a rehearsal schedule; this show belongs to all of them, and I hope they are as proud of this production as I am.”
Tickets for tonight’s showing of Cats, as well as Saturday’s 7 p.m. performance and Sunday’s final show at 2 p.m., are still available in person at Prospect Bank or online at www.pcofa.net.