[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Group Rep’s West Coast premiere of Drat! The Cat! with book and lyrics by Ira Levin and music by Milton Schafer, directed by Bruce Kimmel, musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, and produced by Koushik Chattopadhyay for The Group Rep.
Drat! The Cat! is a wonderfully nostalgic romp, full of rousing songs and brilliant performances!
Set at the turn of the 20th century in New York, the story revolves around New York high society and a series of wildly ambitious and very public jewelry thefts by a notorious cat burglar who leaves a signature “cat” card in place of everything they steal.
The chief of police retires and the major is desperate for someone to lead the investigation into the masterful “Cat” who seems to run circles around anyone who tries to stop them. The old chief’s son, out to make a name for himself, is given two weeks to make an arrest. However, as the investigation unfolds, he finds himself falling in love with the beautiful daughter of the richest man in the city…who just happens to be…yes, you guessed it!
It’s a fun story heavily populated with hilarious characters and roof-raising musical numbers. The valiant folks at the Group Rep give it their all and sing their collective hearts out, and the result is a brilliantly authentic and fun-filled production.
The supporting cast is, as always, wonderful. But I have to give high praise to the two leads, Sydney DeMaria (Alice Van Guilder) and Alec Reusch (Bob Purefoy). They are utterly sublime in their performances and the chemistry between them is palpable. Drat! The Cat! is written by Ira Levin, whose magical career is almost unrivalled in its variety, from Rosemary’s Baby, to The Boys From Brazil! Drat! The Cat! is his one foray into musical theatre and it is quite the ride, I can tell you!
Bravo to all at Group Rep for the all-singing all-dancing staging of this unforgettable American musical! Well worth seeing and don’t we all need something wonderful to distract us all from absolutely everything right now!!
Tickets:
https://thegrouprep.com/show/drat-the-cat
When:
March 21-April 27
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Sundays at 2pm.
Where:
The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd., NoHo Arts District, CA 91601
The Drat! The Cat! Cast
The Group Rep cast features the talents of Ben Anderson, April Audia, Riley Croman, Sydney DeMaria, Lareen Faye, Amy Goldring, Lee Grober, Doug Haverty, Angie Lin, Hisato Masuyama, Constance Mellors, Savannah Mortenson, Maxwell Oliver, Lloyd Pedersen, Alec Reusch, Rob Schaumann, Nicole Slatin, Melissa Strauss, and Steve Young.
The Team
The production team includes Audrey Szot (Set Design), Echo Brejcha (Lighting Design), Robbie Myles (Lighting Consultant), Shon Le Blanc (Costume Design), John Harvey (Sound Design), Cynthia Payo (Assistant Director), Denise Downer (Marketing), Art & Soul Design (Graphic Design), Cathy D. Tomlin (Sound Mixer), Krys Fehervari (Wig Design), Terrie Collins-Grant (Properties Design), Maria Kress (Artistic Council Liaison), Kristin Stancato (Webmaster & Online Marketing), Doug Engalla (Promotional Video & Photography), Jackie Shearn (Social Media), and Maxwell Petrie (Stage Manager).
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