Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present CATS March 20–21 at 7:30 p.m. and March 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster, at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.), or by phone at 765-285-1539.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, CATS is directed and choreographed by Anne Beck, assistant professor of musical theatre and tap dance at Ball State, with musical direction by Michael Rafter, associate professor of musical theatre.
On one special night each year—the night of the Jellicle Ball—the Jellicle Cats gather to share their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who will choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new Jellicle life.
“Ball State’s CATS is a profound exploration of forgiveness, belonging, and renewal—universal themes that resonate across generations,” Ms. Beck said. “Through the stories of the Jellicle cats, we witness journeys of acceptance, regret, and rebirth, brought to life by high-energy dancing, powerful vocals, and masterful storytelling by our students.
“It's a show that reminds us that everyone deserves a second chance,” Ms. Beck continued, “or in feline culture—nine of them.”
CATS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group.
For a full schedule of upcoming events and performances at Emens Auditorium, visit bsu.edu/web/emens/events.