With ‘Cats’ back in Philly, these cats have come home
Meet the Philadelphians who are part of "Cats" national touring company. Plus, there's a new "Macbeth," "Jack and The Beanstalk," and a mashup of 75 Shakespearean deaths.
When the Cats national touring company makes its stop at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Miller Theater, it’ll be old home week for some of the cast.
José Raúl Mangual (Swing) can even sleep in his own bed. He grew up in Lancaster, attended Temple University, and currently lives here, having played at Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre Co., Shakespeare in Clark Park, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and PlayPenn.
So can Ibn Snell (Mistoffeelees), who graduated from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and still calls the city home. Snell is the rehearsal director for the Chocolate Ballerina Co. and started Ballet Dynamiks, a training program for young dancers.
Erica Lee Cianciulli’s mother runs a dance studio in Eagleville and will be bringing her students to see her daughter take on the role of Bombalurina. Cianciulli grew up in Harleysville, attended Mount St. Joseph Academy, and now lives in Collegeville. She’s been touring with national companies for various productions.
Rachael Haber (Cats chorus, understudy Grizabella, Jellylorum) lives in Holland, Bucks County. She graduated from Council Rock High School and has been singing around the world as part of the entertainment crew on Viking/Celebrity cruises.
(March 14-19, “Cats,” Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org)
‘The Complete Deaths’
Who knew death could be so much fun? Maybe there are some deadpan moments in The Complete Deaths or some cryptic bits, but there’s nothing grave about the Curio Theatre Company’s onstage delivery of 75 deaths from William Shakespeare. This show, created by British physical comedy troupe Spymonkey, moves fast — it’s both the quick-and-the-dead, since all the deaths take place in 90 minutes.
(March 16-April 1, “The Complete Deaths,” Curio Theatre Co., Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Ave., 215-921-8243 or curiotheatre.org)
‘Macbeth’
Power, but at what cost? That’s the question posed by William Shakespeare’s searing drama about ambition, Macbeth. Mary Martello directs the Ritz Theatre Co. production. By the way, if you are looking for something for the kids, check out The Sword in the Stone, March 24-25.
(March 17-April 2, Macbeth, Ritz Theatre Co., 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, 856-288-3500 or ritztheatreco.org)
‘Jack and The Beanstalk’
Storybook Musical Theatre presents Jack and The Beanstalk for the younger set (three and above). Artistic director Patricia Goldberg wrote the book with Kevin Arruda providing the music and lyrics.
(March 15-26, Jack and The Beanstalk, Storybook Musical Theatre, Gratz College Theatre, 7605 Old York Rd., Elkins Park. 215-659-8550 or storybookmusical.org)
Check with individual venues for COVID protocols.