MACON – The show that revolutionized musical theater, “Cats,” will be performed at The Grand Opera House on July 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 6, at 10 a.m. and can be purchased through Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470 or online at www.TheGrandMacon.com. This engagement was last at The Grand in Spring 2004 and performed three sold-out shows.
Five continents, 26 countries, over eight and a half million audience members and 27 years later, “Cats” is still America’s most-loved family musical. Celebrating not only 27 years but the birth of the musical spectacular, “Cats” is still revolutionary and awe inspiring. Now that it was been seen by millions of audience members worldwide, it is time to celebrate with the whole family the magic, the mystery, the wonder of “Cats.”
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Cats” won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes. With original direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Gillian Lynne this is the “Cats” credited with the British invasion of Broadway. The national tour of “Cats” recently celebrated its 27th anniversary season, holding its place as the longest continuously touring Broadway musical in history.
“Cats” opened on Broadway Oct. 7, 1982, at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and continued to live up to its motto “Now and Forever.” On June 19, 1997, “Cats” became the longest-running musical on Broadway. It ended its 18-year run on Sept. 10, 2000, with 7,485 performances. “The Phantom of the Opera” broke that record on Jan. 9, 2006, when “Phantom” celebrated its 7,486th curtain. In October of 1991 “Cats” became the longest continuously touring show in American theatre history.
The Grand Opera House
A performing arts center of Mercer University, The Grand Opera House is a historic 1,000-seat theatre located at 651 Mulberry St. in downtown Macon, Ga. The Grand brings the very best in live, professional performing arts and entertainment to Central Georgia. In addition to its popular Broadway Series of nationally-touring productions and its GrandKids Arts Education Series for elementary, middle and high school students, The Grand hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. It is also home to the Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Central Georgia Opera Guild and The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia. For a complete schedule of upcoming performances, contact Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470 or visit www.TheGrandMacon.com.
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