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Cats had its Austrian premiere on 24 September 1983 at the Theater an der Wien. It was the third replica production worldwide and the first time that Cats was performed in another language than English. Gillian Lynne both directed and choreographed the show and Michael Kunze wrote the first German translation of Cats. Later productions that were based on the Vienna production include Amsterdam, Paris and Zurich. The success of this production is credited for having kick-started the commercial Musical Theatre scene in German-speaking countries, leading to the 1986 Hamburg production.

Production Specifics[]

The Vienna production was the first time that the show took place on a typical stage (behind a proscenium arch), instead of being performed in-the-round with the audience surrounding the stage as was done in London and on Broadway. Gillian Lynne therefore had to restage the show. In the following years, due to the limitations of conventional theatres, most productions were placed on a proscenium stage as well.

Compared to the original London and Broadway casts, the Vienna cast was rather large: it included both Carbucketty and Pouncival, Bill Bailey and Tumblebrutus, Quaxo and Mistoffelees as well as Etcetera (whose costume actually looked similar to the London Electra). In general, the character names were not translated, apart from Jenny Fleckenreich (Jennyanydots) and Alt Deuteronimus (Old Deuteronomy), as well as spelling variations for Viktoria (Victoria) and Jellilorum (Jellylorum).

Unlike in the London and Broadway productions, Mistoffelees was a completely mute character who did not sing or speak in the whole show - not even in the ensemble numbers. This allowed the role to be cast as a dedicated dance-only role. As a result of this change, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer performed their own number while still retaining the upbeat arrangement from the Broadway production. This was thus the origin of the modern version of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" that has been used in almost all subsequent productions. Another unusual element of the Vienna production was that Griddlebone was played by Jennyanydots instead of Jellylorum.

For more details on the Vienna score, see here.

Creative Team[]

Venues[]

  • 1983 - 1988: Vienna, Theater an der Wien
  • 1987: East-Berlin, Komische Oper (Guest appearance)
  • 1988: Moscow (Guest appearance)
  • 1988 - 1990: Vienna, Ronacher Theater

The production opened in 1983 at the Theater an der Wien, with each new season starting in September. While the show was settled in Vienna, the cast had guest appearances in East-Berlin in 1987 and in Moscow in 1988 during the Vienna summer breaks. In 1988, Cats moved to the Ronacher Theater in Vienna before it closed in 1990. With a run of 7 years, Cats remains the longest running musical in Vienna this day.

Cast[]

1983 - 1984[]

Role Cast
September 1983[1]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Darryl Robinson
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Joachim Kemmer
Bill Bailey David Forman
Bombalurina Ute Lemper
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Edmunds
Coricopat Calvann Cole
Demeter Jutta Bryde
Etcetera Beatrix Wipperich
Grizabella Angelika Milster
Jellilorum Monica Solem
Jemima Martina Dorak
Jenny Fleckenreich / Griddlebone Valda Aviks
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Gregory Jones
Munkustrap Steve Barton
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Paul Welterlen
Pouncival Robert Montano
Quaxo Stefan Nagel
Rumpelteazer Buenaventura Braunstein
Rum Tum Tugger Michael Howe (replaced by Jeffry Judson in March 1984)
Skimbleshanks F. Dion Davis
Tantomile Lynnda Curry
Tumblebrutus John Yost
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Frank Ablorh-Odjidja
Swing Pamela Liebig
Swing Elizabeth Mills
Swing Andrew Morris
Swing Lilo Raab
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Iris Wachalowsky
Swing Roger Winell

1984 - 1985[]

Role Cast
September 1984[2]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Darryl Robinson
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Gerhard Marcel / Anton Rattinger (alt)
Bill Bailey Mark Maples
Bombalurina Lynne Patrick
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Edith Amon
Coricopat Dean Welterlen
Demeter Jutta Bryde
Etcetera Pamela Liebig
Grizabella Angelika Milster
Jellylorum Debra Dickinson
Jemima Martina Dorak
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Valda Aviks
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Andrew Morris
Munkustrap Darryl Robinson / Paul Welterlen (alt)
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Paul Welterlen
Pouncival Robert Montano
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Michael O'Connor
Skimbleshanks Robert Burnett
Tantomile Lynnda Curry
Tumblebrutus John Yost
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Frank Ablorh-Odjidja
Swing Mercedes Echerer
Swing Michael Estes
Swing Joey Farr
Swing John Festa
Swing Suzanne Henderson
Swing Chris Kahler
Swing Elisabeth Meller
Swing Elizabeth Mills
Swing Frances O'Neill
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Otto Scholtze
Swing Isabelle Scheizer-Paterson
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Iris Wachalowsky

1985 - 1986[]

Role Cast
1985[2]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Darryl Robinson
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones John-Charles Kelly
Bill Bailey Otto Scholtze
Bombalurina Joanie O'Neill
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Edmunds
Coricopat Dean Welterlen
Demeter Lola Knox / Nora Cherry (replacement)
Etcetera Pamela Liebig
Grizabella Angelika Milster
Jellylorum Suzanne Henderson (replacing Ruth Hale)
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Valda Aviks
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Andrew Morris
Munkustrap Paul Welterlen
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival Kevin Poe
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Michael O'Connor
Skimbleshanks Stefan Nagel
Tantomile Anne McVey
Tumblebrutus Klaus Stauffer
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Steven Bernier
Swing Niki Bolen
Swing Danielle Brunner
Swing Michael Estes
Swing Janet Hinckley
Swing Chris Kahler
Swing Elizabeth Mills
Swing Marcello de Nardo
Swing Frances O'Neill
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Gene Scheer
Swing Keith Steward
Swing Megan Thomas
Swing Iris Wachalowsky

1986 - 1987[]

Role Cast
1986[3]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Darryl Robinson
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Gene Scheer
Bill Bailey Otto Scholtze
Bombalurina Joanie O'Neill
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Edmunds
Coricopat Matthew Jessner
Demeter Katherine Condit
Etcetera Pamela Liebig
Grizabella Angelika Milster
Jellylorum Suzanne Henderson
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Valda Aviks
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Andrew Morris
Munkustrap Paul Welterlen
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival James Cohen
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Michael O'Connor
Skimbleshanks Michael Estes
Tantomile Elizabeth Mills
Tumblebrutus Tracy Inman
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Niki Bolen
Swing Danielle Brunner
Swing Ferdinando Chefalo
Swing Tito Hernandez
Swing Janet Hinckley
Swing Gregorey Garrison
Swing Gregory McKinnon
Swing Pam Lloyd
Swing Frances O'Neill
Swing Isabelle Scheizer-Paterson
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Randy Scott
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Iris Wachalowsky
Swing Dean Welterlen
Role Cast
August 1987 (East Berlin Tour)[4]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Darryl Robinson
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones / Growltiger Gene Scheer
Bill Bailey Otto Scholtze
Bombalurina Joanie O'Neill
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Edmunds
Coricopat Matthew Jessner
Demeter Katherine Condit
Etcetera Pamela Liebig
Grizabella Angelika Milster
Jellylorum Suzanne Henderson
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Valda Aviks
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Andrew Morris
Munkustrap Paul Welterlen
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival Ferdinando Chefalo
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Michael O'Connor
Skimbleshanks Michael Estes
Tantomile Elizabeth Mills
Tumblebrutus Tracy Inman
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Niki Bolen
Swing Danielle Brunner
Swing Tito Hernandez
Swing Janet Hinckley
Swing Gregorey Garrison
Swing Gregory McKinnon
Swing Pam Lloyd
Swing Frances O'Neill
Swing Isabell Paterson
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Gregory Schramel
Swing Randy Scott
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Dean Welterlen
Swing Iris Wachalowsky

1987 - 1988[]

Role Cast
September 1987[5]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Derek Daniels
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Gene Scheer
Bill Bailey Otto Scholtze
Bombalurina Joanie O'Neill
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Edmunds
Coricopat Matthew Jessner
Demeter Kim Duddy
Etcetera Pamela Liebig
Grizabella Suzanne Henderson
Jellylorum Pia Douwes
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Barbara Pöschl
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Andrew Morris
Munkustrap Darryl Robinson
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival Andrew Currie
Quaxo Jim Rixie
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Dean Welterlen
Skimbleshanks Michael Estes
Tantomile Elizabeth Mills
Tumblebrutus Neil Giroday
Victoria Alexandra Young
Swing Ferdinando Chefalo
Swing Sam Cole
Swing Phillip Colglazier
Swing Scott Fless
Swing Janet Hinckley
Swing Joyce P King
Swing Pam Lloyd
Swing Gregory McKinnon
Swing Gary Mendelson
Swing Frances O'Neill
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Katrin Schlegel
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Jesse Webb
Swing Iris Wachalowsky
Swing Gabrielle Welker

1988 - 1989[]

Role Cast
1988[2]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat Derek Daniels
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Gene Scheer
Bill Bailey Otto Scholtze
Bombalurina Nora Cherry
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Laura Quinn
Coricopat Niki Bolen
Demeter Katherine Condit
Etcetera Frances O'Neill
Grizabella Pia Douwes
Jellylorum Amy DeMayo / Elisabeth Meller (alt)
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Madeleine Doherty
Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Michael Estes
Munkustrap Darryl Robinson
Old Deuteronomy Gordon Bovinet
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival Steven Bernier
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Beatrix Wipperich
Rum Tum Tugger Daniela Guzman
Skimbleshanks Sam Cole
Tantomile Janet Hinckley
Tumblebrutus Robert Russell IV
Victoria Pascale Faye-Williams
Swing Danielle Brunner
Swing Ferdinando Chefalo
Swing Tina Decker
Swing Barbara Czar
Swing Paul Hadobas
Swing Tatjana Köthe
Swing Zane Rankin
Swing Alexander Riff
Swing Sandor Racz
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Ian Michael Towers
Swing Katrin Schober
Swing Claudia Wendrinsky

1989 - 1990[]

Role Cast
1989[2]
Alonzo / Rumpus-Cat José Hernan
Asparagus / Bustopher Jones Gene Scheer (until 28/02/90) /

Marco Vermie (from 03/90)

Bill Bailey Ton Voogt
Bombalurina Nora Cherry (Dance Captain)
Carbucketty Laszlo Czergezan
Cassandra Susan Taylor
Coricopat Gregory McKinnon
Demeter Karen Babcock
Etcetera Veronica Hart
Grizabella Lorraine Goodman
Jellylorum Amy DeMayo / Elisabeth Meller (alt)
Jemima Elisabeth Meller
Jennyanydots / Griddlebone Mary Illes
Mr. Mistoffelees Valentin Baraian
Mungojerrie Michael Estes
Munkustrap Darryl Robinson
Old Deuteronomy Jan Polak
Plato / Macavity Stanley Dalton
Pouncival Otto Scholtze
Quaxo Michael P Reardon
Rumpelteazer Kristi Sperling
Rum Tum Tugger Brian Carmack
Skimbleshanks Sam Cole (until 28.02.90) / Rod Roberts (March-May)
Tantomile Janet Hinckley
Tumblebrutus / Genghis Andreas Bieber
Victoria Marjorie Hardwick
Swing Gordon Bovinet
Swing Ferdinando Chefalo
Swing Kim Duddy
Swing Michael Fritzke
Swing Jerome J Hardeman
Swing Tatjana Köthe
Swing Maria Magdalena Padrosa
Swing Zane Rankin (from April 1990)
Swing Alexander Riff
Swing Vasiliki Roussi
Swing Andrea Schalk
Swing Gregory Schramel
Swing Ken-Michael Stafford
Swing Ian Michael Towers
Swing Claudia Wendrinsky
Booth Danuta Jaquet
Booth Hiroko Ono
Booth Julie Trautwein
Booth Peter Erdelyi
Booth Stefan Thanner
Booth Andrzej Ulicz

Gallery[]

1983 Cast[]

Later Casts[]

Videos[]

References[]

  1. Original 1983/84 Cast, catsmusical.com
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Vienna Casts, oocities.org/ferngully_at
  3. 1986 season Cast List
  4. August 1987 Cast -- East Berlin Tour, catsmusical.com
  5. 1987/88 Cast, catsmusical.com
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