Courtesy of Universal Pictures
The moment begins at midnight. The light sparkles around the moon and the Jellicle cats are back for a festive announcement. Once again, the spectacular musical “CATS” is on its way to Manila, set to open on the 6th of November 2019 at Solaire Resort and Casino as part of an international tour.
The story begins and ends in a junkyard wherein the Jellicle cats are gathered annually to decide who will go to the Heaviside Layer or in human terms, Cat Heaven. They introduce themselves in a form of a song as an audition to see who are worthy of the reward.
The proceedings to determine who is worthy of getting into the Heaviside Layer is led by Old Deuteronomy, a very agreeable and kind cat.
Enter Grizabella, a washed-up old cat who attempts to join all the other Jellicles for her chance to go to the Heaviside Layer.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, adapted from T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” will also hit the screens later this year, with Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper at the helm.
CATS, the film, is set to be released this holiday season in theaters worldwide, starring James Corden, Jason Derulo, Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and the Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward.
The film incorporates Lloyd Webber’s iconic music, and an impressive cast of dancers under the guidance of Andy Blakenbuehler, a Tony Award-winning choreographer. (Loraine Villarina)