Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot, Cats--which containes no spoken dialogue--revolves around the antics of such feline characters as Old Deuteronomy, Jennyanydots, Mr. Mistoffelees, Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks, Griddlebone, and Grizabella who sings the hit song "Memory" before she ascends to cats' heaven at play's end.

Originally produced at the New London Theatre on May 11, 1981, Cats began its New York run at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 7, 1982. The production featured Betty Buckley (Grizabella), and like the London production which preceded it, the New York version of Cats dazzled audiences with its imaginative spectacle and story-telling flare. The original Broadway cast also included Terrence V. Mann (Rum Tum Tugger), Stephan Hanan (Asparagus), Timothy Scott ( Mr. Mistoffolees), Ken Page (Deuteronomy), Reed Jones (Skimbleshanks), Bonnie Simmons (Griddlebone), Christine Langner (Rumpleteazer), Rene Clemente (Mungojerrie), and Harry Groener (Munkustrap). Although T.S. Eliot died in 1965, he received a posthumous Tony Award 18 years later for his unwitting contributions to the score.

On Sunday, September 10, 2000, Broadway's longest running show finally hung up its whiskers, tails and toe shoes after nearly 18 years and a record 7,485 performances.

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