Fox Valley's 'Cats' hopes to provide plenty of memories

As in the Broadway version, humans will be transformed into kitties #8212; all members of the Jellicle tribe #8212; who have gathered to determine who will go on to another life.

There's singing and dancing to songs made famous by the Broadway musical, including the iconic #8220;Memories.#8221;

But unlike the Broadway version, the characters will take to a stage set in an animal shelter, not the traditional junkyard. So they'll scratch, purr, pounce and meow their way around oversized cat toys and food and water bowls, and slide into a giant litter box via a liter scoop-turned-slide.

#8220;We were trying to figure out a different location, something unique,#8221; said Director Brian Rotrekl of Aurora, who also designed the set. #8220;It kind of came to me that we would design a cat shelter sort of place. That would make sense where cats would be and tell their story.#8221;

The set includes a two-story cage system, large scratching posts, a kitty castle with ropes, oversized balls, giant cat treats and more.

The oversized cast allows for more people to participate, a goal of the new performing arts supervisor, Kyle Donahue, who has increased the park district's stage productions from two a year to seven or eight.

Not only will they get to participate, he said, but they'll each get a moment in the sun #8212; a brief dance or vocal solo.

#8220;The arts sometimes get pushed aside, and it's such an exciting thing,#8221; Donahue said. #8220;I think it's such a great opportunity for kids to get up there and feel that excitement and hopefully pursue creative arts.#8221;

Transforming 90 humans ages 7 to adult into cats requires a crew of more than 20 people working on makeup and costumes.

And you just never know when you'll find an ornery kitty out discovering its surroundings.

#8220;The cats do enter and exit through the back of the theater,#8221; Donahue said. #8220;Even if you're not super close, you might be brushing shoulders with a kitten here or there.#8221;

Advance tickets are on sale at the park district's three community centers: Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road; Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail Road; and Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.

Advance tickets purchased after Friday must be bought at the Prisco Community Center.

For details, call (630) 859-8606 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.