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The award-winning hit musical "Cats" — with all its purring, tail swishing and raucous junkyard dancing — is coming to the Way Off Broadway stage for a summer-long engagement designed with the whole family in mind.
"We've talked about bringing it here for a while and thought it would be a great summer show," said Justin Kiska, managing director of the dinner theater.
"It's been a fun show and this is the perfect time for me," said Andrew Metzgar, the production's Mistoffolees.
Metzgar, who is studying dance in New York, is originally from Frederick and was looking for a musical to perform in for the summer. Although he first started working as a dishwasher for the dinner theater five years ago, he slowly got into acting and is now ready to play a key role, he said.
"Cats" is based on the popular poetry by T.S. Eliot and tells the story of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats where one is chosen to ascend to the Heaviside layer. Told entirely through song and dance, the show features colorful, handmade costumes and an elaborate junkyard set.
With songs by Andrew Lloyd Weber, "Cats" opened on Broadway in 1982 and ran for 18 years, one of the longest-running musicals — and one of the most recognizable.
"I've always loved "Cats" and when I saw the show was on the schedule, I knew I wanted to be a part of it," said Hagerstown's Dan Henderson.
A Way Off Broadway veteran, Henderson plays the part of Skimbleshanks, whom he describes as a friendly railway cat.
"He's like an uncle to all of the cats," said the elementary school teacher who has dabbled in community theater for the past 25 years.
Henderson said the show has been challenging, too, with a lot of choreography and singing to learn. "We've all been working very hard on this," he said.
Metzgar, who had never seen the musical, said he was attracted to it because of the dancing.
"Since I'm a dancer, it was perfect for me," he said. His character is a younger member of the tribe who doesn't do too much singing, but is "vibrant and full of life," Metzgar said.
Kiska and Company think audiences will enjoy the intricate set. Carefully placed pieces of trash and junkyard items adorn the stage, making it seem haphazard, but meticulously staged in reality, said Kiska.
"It's something totally different than any of our other shows," he said.
"Cats"
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 29 (Doors open at 6 p.m.); 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on June 21, July 29 and Aug. 16 (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.); 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening shows on July 12 and Aug. 29 (Doors open at 5 p.m.); 6:30 p.m. Sunday twilight shows on June 28, July 26, and Aug. 23
Where: Way Off Broadway, 5 Willowdale Drive, Willowtree Plaza, Frederick
Tickets: $41-$45
For more information:
301-662-6600
www.wayoffbroadway.com
