Feline fancies abound as Knoxville soon plays host to the familiar family musical Cats.
If you’ve never seen it, here’s your chance, because according to old fans, it’s definitely the cat’s meow.
This is the first time in three years that the show has come to Knoxville.
“Many people are still concerned about traveling in light of recent national events – with Cats we’re bringing Broadway to Knoxville,” said Ashley Capps, president of AC Entertainment, who is presenting the show.
The five performances run from Nov. 16-18 at Knoxville’s Civic Auditorium.
“Cats defines modern musical theatre,” said Shelley Johansson, publicist for AC Entertainment. “I last saw the musical in 1984 in London, and it was a magical experience.”
Johansson said that one of the highlights many Cats fans remember about the performance is the song, “Memory,” written by acclaimed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“It’s a beautiful ballad,” Johansson said.
The musical is based on whimsical poems in T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and is being sponsored by the Knoxville News-Sentinel, WBIR-TV and B-97.5.
“The story line for Cats is not as defined as other musicals. That makes it unique,” Johansson said.
She went on to say that the show’s movement and dance also add to its distinctiveness. “It’s an unusually visual musical.”
Winner of seven Tony Awards, Cats was first introduced in 1982 and became the longest-running Broadway musical ever, with an impressive 18-year run that ended on Sept. 10, 2000.
Capps said that due to the tragedies the nation has experienced during the past two months, “Americans are drawn to familiar comforting forms of entertainment like Cats.”
Cats is the season-opener for the “Best of the Broadway” series, which will continue with Rent and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.
To purchase a ticket, contact any Tickets Unlimited location or call (865) 656-4444.
Ticket prices range from $28.50 to $40.50, plus service charges.
For more information on upcoming performances, log on to http://www.concertwire.com.

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