CATS - Now And Forever - Will Return To Broadway This Summer

Playbill shares the news that CATS - the mega-hit Broadway musical of the 1980s and 90s will return to the Great White Way this summer:

Grizabella is headed for the Heaviside layer once more! Broadway’s The Shubert Organization and Nederlander Organization are teaming up to produce the long-rumored revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/T.S. Eliot musical Cats this summer.

The onetime longest-running show in Broadway history has booked the Neil Simon Theatre, with previews beginning July 14 and an official opening set for Aug. 2.

Trevor Nunn, who staged the original London and Broadway productions, will direct the revival. His creative team includes Mick Potter (sound design), Natasha Katz (lighting design) and John Napier (scenic and costume design). It will have choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne.

My first major theater job was being cast in the original company of the national touring company of the show during the height of it's popularity, as the "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees." It was a rush to be in the "hottest show in town" back in the day.

With just under 18 years, the original run of CATS ranks as the fourth longest-running Broadway show behind The Lion King (18 years), the revival of Chicago (19 years - I was actually in that one, too, early in the run), and Phantom Of The Opera (28 years later this month.) The top three are still running.