Show Synopsis:
A group of cats in the Jellicle tribe gather for the Jellicle Ball and the next decision from Old Deuteronomy, a senior figure in the tribe, as to which cat will be reborn into a new life in the Heaviside Layer. Many cats introduce themselves to the audience, including Grizabella, an old and shabby cat the other cats pity. As the other cats dance at the Jellicle Ball, Grizabella remembers a happier time when she could dance and frolic with her friends. Old Deuteronomy tries to impress on the cats the importance of understanding what happiness is, but most of the cats do not understand. Macavity, a horrifying villainous cat, captures Old Deuteronomy and disguises himself as the older cat, but the other younger cats discover his ruse and fight him off. The cats find Mr. Mistoffelees, who performs a small bit of magic and brings Old Deuteronomy back in time to make the Jellicle choice of who will go to the Heaviside Layer. Grizabella appeals to Old Deuteronomy for her chance to be reborn, and he takes her to the Heaviside Layer.
Character:
Grizabella, an old and ragged grey cat with happy memories but little acceptance in the Jellicle tribe; she used to be young and beautiful and would like to go back to those days of happiness.
Song Context:
Grizabella wants to be reborn into a new Jellicle life in the Heaviside Layer so that she can know happiness again, and appeals to Old Deuteronomy for the chance to do so, with encouragement from a few female cats in the tribe.
Fun Facts:
1. This musical was based on T.S. Eliot's collection of poems Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.
2. Betty Buckley originated the role of Grizabella on Broadway and won a Tony Award for her performance. She said in an interview that mastering that song a few days before opening night helped her really step into the role. 3. Cats was the longest-running Broadway show ever when it closed in 2000, and (as of fall of 2013) is the second longest running Broadway show behind Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
"Midnight,
Not a sound from the pavement.
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone.
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.
Memory,
All alone in the moonlight.
I can smile at the old days.
Life was beautiful then.
I remember
The time I knew what happiness was.
Let the memory live again.
Every street lamp
Seems to beat a fatalistic warning.
Someone mutters and the street lamps gutters
And soon it will be morning.
Daylight,
I must wait for the sunrise,
I must think of a new life,
And I mustn't give in.
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin.
Burnt out ends of smoky days,
The stale cold smell of morning,
The street lamp dies, another night is over,
Another day is dawning.
Touch me.
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with my memory
Of my days in the sun.
If you touch me
You'll understand what happiness is.
Look, a new day has begun."