There was a good article in today’s Washington Post about folks getting stoned to go see the movie Cats (click here.) It made me think back to the days when I would get high to go see and enjoy a movie. However, Cats would never have been in my “Get high movie” rotation. Had I done so, I am sure that my reaction would probably have been along the lines of the lady in the article who noted that “It was a horrible experience.”
I recall seeing the stage show of Cats in the early 70’s at the National Theater in DC courtesy of my photography friend Ed Monahan. Long story as to how the ex and I ended up going with Ed and his wife. The short version is that I agreed to drive and Ed would spring for the tickets. The Buzzy in me considered this to be a good deal; but turns out it was bad all the way around mostly because I don’t particularly care for cats on stage or off.
As the lights went down in the theater and the performers began to take the stage, I remember asking the ex “Is this whole damn thing only about cats?” She very wisely responded “Why do think it’s called Cats?”
I suffered through the next 2 hours or so miserable and dreading the subsequent two hour drive back down the road. (I was still getting high back then but didn’t do so because I wanted to stay on my game driving Ed and his wife to and from the show. Bad decision on my part.)
I remember only one redeeming moment in the show that made me sit up and take notice – Grizabella’s show stopper (below.) After the show on my way out of the theater, two old biddies behind me were discussing the show and I overheard one of them say “You know, there is really only one good song in this entire show.” To which the other lady replied “Yes, but what a great song it is! Almost makes up for the others.”
I have seen Cats a couple times since then and still don’t think very highly of it. Maybe I should muscle up on some CBD and give it another try. On second thought – hell NO!
All that said, this is a helluva song: