Purdue News

October 18, 1999 Convos brings 'Cats' back to Purdue Source: Todd Wetzel, Convocations director, (7650 494-9712, tewetzel@purdue.edu WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Convocations announced today (Monday, 10/18) that it is bringing the national touring company of the record-breaking Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats" back to Purdue University for one performance at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at Elliott Hall of Music. In 1997, "Cats" became the longest-running musical in Broadway history with 6,138 performances. Five months later in Minneapolis, the fourth national touring company of "Cats" set its own record by passing up the original tour of "Oklahoma!" and becoming the longest-running individual touring company in history at 10 years, six months and two weeks. In 1999, the tour celebrated its 5,000th performance, and a week later the Broadway company celebrated its 7,000th performance – milestones never before reached by a touring company or a Broadway musical. The first national tour was launched in 1983, and the show played at Purdue in 1993. The popular musical is based on a book of verse by T.S. Eliot entitled "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats." Presented by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Ltd., David Geffen and the Shubert Organization, "Cats" is directed by Trevor Nunn with Gillian Lynne serving as associate director and choreographer. The sets and costumes are by John Napier, and the lighting is designed by David Hersey. For the touring company, the original production is recreated with orchestrations are by Stanley Lebosky, lighting by Rick Belzer, scenic design by Raymond Huessy, choreography by T. Michael Reed and Richard Stafford, and direction by David Taylor. Tickets go on sale first to Friends of Convocations, the donor organization that supports Convocations' programming, on Tuesday (10/19), and then to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday (10/21). Tickets are $30, $28 and $15 for the public, $22 and $15 for Purdue students, at campus box offices in Elliott Hall and Stewart Center, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Friends of Convocations, who should have received a special advance ticket order form by mail, can fax, hand deliver or e-mail their ticket orders for the quickest service, as phone lines will be congested with other business. The fax number is (765) 494-0540; the e-mail address is convos@purdue.edu. Writer: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045, snsteven@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page