Magical Cats Not to be missed at Music Theater Works

When the musical CATS premiered in the early 1980’s it was groundbreaking, an audience favorite, and confusing to critics. Without a plot,more of a song cycle, it is based on a 1939 poetry collection by T.S. Eliot.  I saw, and fell in love with, the original Broadway production at the Winter Garden and I was acquainted with some of the dancers in the show who felt it was a gift: it was a show centered on movement and in fact the Cats crawled up and into the audience.  With a raked stage it was also a show famous for seriously injuring the cast with Gillian Lyne’s demanding choreography. Now the world has finally caught up with the concept of this show: we all delightedly watch cat videos on social media with no expectation of a plot. We all know and love these characters already– how many of us care for a Jennyanydots or a Rum Tum Tugger type cat?

And here comes a CATS at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Arts to gladden the heart of any cat or musical lover. Music Theater Works has pulled out all the stops to offer a flawless and inspiring version of this musical.  Yes the Cats will come to you! Director/Choreographer Mandy Modic clearly loves this show and has gathered an ensemble of insanely talented physical actors and singers that completely embody these remarkable feline characters and move us with their stories. The sheer physicality of this show is jaw dropping. The choreography is thrilling: traveling through the audience, aerially on a lampshade, making a nod to Lloyd Webers other 80’s hit Starlight Express, and even a pole dance,with Victoria on pointe and buckets of fouettés. There is a priceless moment where the dancers leap straight up in what is known on the internet as the cucumber jump. Modic and the dancers have a deep respect for, and knowledge of, the movement of felines. They dance on levels and all over a stage that scenic designer Milo Bue has lovingly turned into an aunties sitting room (a welcome change from the traditional Junkyard) with an oversized vintage tv playing Joanna Lumley & Egypt’s Countless Cats documentary.  Media designer Anthony Churchill gives us a Jellicle supermoon. 

Sam Nachison’s Old Dueteronomy is richly voiced and kind.  Ava Lane Stovall’s Grizabella is worthy of her opening night standing ovation. Nick Johnson had to tackle an opening night mash up Mr. Mistoffelees AND Munkustrap and is an inspired dynamo.  John Cardone gave us loveable and sympathetic Bustopher Jones and Asparagus. This show has delights in every moment and every member of the cast gives their all. 

I happened to be lucky enough to sit next to a little girl who was seeing her first live cast Cats. Her joy and enthusiasm and sheer excitement from being so close to what she had only seen on a screen gave me hope for the future of live theater.  She could not contain her physical elatedness at being in the audience. 

The show is also offering an opportunity to help the real cats(and dogs and other pets) at the Skokie shelter C.A.R.E. as there is a pet food drive– you can drop off in the labeled boxes outside the box office. 

If you are a fan or if you don’t know why people love this show and want to fall heels over head for these winning felines, head over to Skokie with the whole family and take in this musical theater wonder.  CATS is playing at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts at 9501 N. Skokie Blvd in Skokie on Wednesdays through Sundays through March 29, 2026. For tickets and information go to https://www.musictheaterworks.com/2026-season/cats/

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