30-Year Wait to Play Dream Role in Cats

Blue Mountains Musical Society open their new production of Cats on November 5, promising to present the show in a whole new way to audiences. Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.

Mountains local Gail Waizer first saw Cats in Sydney in 1985 as a young teenager. She was captivated by Debra Byrne in the role of Grizabella and is fulfilling her dream playing the role for BMMS.

Gail loves the community spirit of the mountains and says, “Being involved with so much talent and creativity, especially in community theatre has enriched my whole family’s life and has given me an outlet for my love of music theatre.”

This production of Cats is certainly a family affair, with a cast ranging in age from 5 to 65. There are many parents, children, and siblings throughout the cast and the production team, but somehow they’ve managed to keep any squabbling at home and away from rehearsals! Gail’s daughter Arwen is performing as a kitten in the show, and it’s no surprise she’s caught the performing bug too, “Arwen sings all the time around the house making up songs about everything and anything in many different singing styles”, Gail says.

2014 is an exciting year for Gail, as while rehearsing for Cats she has also been recording her debut album, which features her music theatre favourites, from Chess to Into The Woods. Her single ‘Memory’ from Cats is currently available on iTunes and has been featured in the trailer for the show - link.

Despite the challenges that come with staging such an iconic production, director Virginia Fortunat promises audiences a show that will live on in Memory. "This production of Cats is less about Lycra and leg warmers and more about time and how we use the time we are given."

With a steampunk-inspired costume and set design, this fresh take on the musical classicgives a very different look into the lives of cats.

Cats will be playing at the Lighthouse Theatre, Orchard Hills from November 5 - 9. Discounted seats are available for the weeknight performances on the 5th and 6th. Tickets can be purchases at www.bmms.org.au

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