Undecided about seeing Cats on the Oasis?

[John&LaLa]

Sherri,

consider sitting in the one of the front rows…it makes a difference.

 

Good advice, plus get an aisle seat

[markeb]

CATS is the third longest running broadway show.....so it becomes a matter if you like it or not, but you can't knock it for not being a good selection.

 

I still find this fascinating on CC. If these threads are representative of actual cruises, RCI did the worst job ever of market research on their audience, and paid a lot of money for the third longest running show in Broadway history that somehow doesn't appeal to their demographic...

 

I remember when CATS was first being produced. There were an awful lot of people who expected it to flop. There had never been anything quite like it. It was a total musical with no spoken words. There was no real story. (Emphasized as many here are looking for a story.) The stars were unrecognizable in makeup. The two main characters, Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella, only really appear twice in the production, and the other featured cats really don't contribute to the story's climax. There's only one song that became recognizable, and the entire plot line of the play, that you frankly need to hear to follow anything else, is sung in a near whisper in the opening number! (It's a redemption story, BTW.) Yet, it ran for 17 or 18 years on Broadway, something similar in the West End, toured the world in multiple languages, and is being revived again.

 

You need a ship the size of Oasis or Allure to support this type of production, but that means the ship has so many competing activities that it's going to be hard to get people to want to watch a full Broadway production, with intermission.

 

I know a lot of people on Cruise Critic bemoan the lack of lobster on the MDR menu; I don't care for lobster at all. I've seen Hairspray on Broadway and on the Oasis; both were fun, and they featured music that sounded like pop music of 60's. Not my favorite musical at all. Probably not even in the top 10. Rates somewhere just above "The Addams Family", which was comically bad. Like almost everything else being mentioned as a "better" choice, it's a revival of an old movie, which is also the unfortunate trend on Broadway. A lot of people like those, or they wouldn't be successful, which is fine.

 

Now, if you want to bring a really bright, uplifting musical, bring on Les Miserables!

[MADflyer]

Cats had a 'soft' opening on the October 2014 transatlantic. It probably had at least 6 weeks more work before the production was complete with the full soundtrack and revisions to the production around mid-December, 2014.

 

I found the experience of watching a RCI production being created fascinating and one thing that gets lost in all the 'chatter' here on CC about Cats is the fact that the RCI production, set, orchestra, cast, costuming and presentation of Cats is excellent and a real achievement.

 

While many may find it too long, hard to follow, not appropriate for a cruise ship, dated, not like the storyline or not be able to 'understand' it and so on, these are all really personal interpretations and really have no bearing on the actual 'quality' of the production.

 

Cats will most likely have a minimum contracted run of 5 years and given the fact that RCI probably had to really 'convince' the owners of the rights to allow such a production on a cruise ship, RCI are most likely quite happy to have Cats among their current productions.

 

Andrew Lloyd Weber's company the Really Useful Group own the rights to many other musicals that RCI may be interested in, in the future.

[jimdanelleae]

We sailed on the Oasis in June and Cats was the highlight of the cruise for me. I wanted to see it again but we had other things booked at those times. I wasn`t impressed with the comedians or Oasis of Dreams water show.

[searoses]

We dont go to shows on ships......loved cats on broadway and taking my kids in boston..we were a big cat family and familiar with ts eliot...still would not plan to see it and don't sail mega ships....can't imagine not booking a ship because it was tainted by a show I didn't want to see!

[LuCruise]

Shows run for many years, over 5 years in my experience. I believe CATS started on Oasis earlier this year.

 

Yikes...that's a long time to be locked into a show...especially when passengers are getting up and leaving mid way. Wonder if RCL can break the contract any sooner (am guessing not as it's a contract)

[Clarea]

Yikes...that's a long time to be locked into a show...especially when passengers are getting up and leaving mid way. Wonder if RCL can break the contract any sooner (am guessing not as it's a contract)

Don't know if they can break the contract. They can probably put the show on another ship if they want, but they have said that changing sets costs millions of dollars.

Edited August 24, 2015 by clarea

[MADflyer]

I fail to see how it is a problem for RCI to have a long show offered that gives them a lot of marketing PR in some circles, draws in crowds for the pre-intermission set, when it is really the second act post-intermission that is best, and then looses passengers after intermission.

 

Where do these passengers go? They go to the Casino, another bar or lounge with entertainment that more suits them such as the comedy club or karaoke lounge, where they proceed to buy drinks and enjoy themselves elsewhere.

 

All the while the remaining passengers in the theatre get to be comfortable and can more easily buy a drink from the cocktail servers.

 

Most of those that 'do not book' Oasis at Port Canaveral due to Cats, would most likely be driven to Allure or Harmony at Port Everglades, helping demand for those popular ships even more and driving up cruise fares on those other ships.

 

For this reason, I would see no incentive for RCI to pull one of the most successful musicals of all time that they have licensed from one of the most powerful companies in musical theater, especially when they have already borne the cost of licensing, production and staging.

[Sherri914]

We sailed on the Oasis in June and Cats was the highlight of the cruise for me. I wanted to see it again but we had other things booked at those times. I wasn`t impressed with the comedians or Oasis of Dreams water show.

 

Me neither! I did enjoy parts of Oasis of Dreams, but there's honestly no real story there to tie it all together. So I just enjoyed watching the artistry of the show itself - the diving, etc.

 

I still don't think Cats was the right choice for a ship. I don't care how long it's been on Broadway, that doesn't mean it's a good fit for a cruise ship! I'll agree with other posters who've said Hairspray wasn't in their top 10 musicals - but IMHO it's much better suited to a cruise audience than Cats. I don't regularly listen to the Hairspray soundtrack, but I can still appreciate that the upbeat musical score was fun, the dialogue was silly but also fun, and it was well done on Oasis. I also didn't need to research anything to understand the story line.

 

As I said in my last post, whether or not I think Cats is right for Oasis, I can still appreciate the magnitude of work it took pulling that show together. And I respect the talent RCI performers possess. Having worked in theater production for many years, I can certainly appreciate the artistry of Cats. The music and lack of dialogue, however, is just not for me. And guessing by the reportedly half-empty audience after every intermission, it's not for many others cruising on Oasis either. Again, just my opinion. And I highly doubt where I sit in the theater will make me like the music any more. It just doesn't have an appealing score, but I'm definitely going to give it a shot in November. I hope to be pleasantly surprised. :)

[Beachammo]

I just hope the put a little more thought into what show they bring to Harmony. I guess anything is better than Cats.....even the less popular Elliot book "Dogs".

[John&LaLa]

I just hope the put a little more thought into what show they bring to Harmony. I guess anything is better than Cats.....even the less popular Elliot book "Dogs".

 

What makes you think they didn't put thought into that decision. :what:

[Sherri914]

They may have put a lot of thought into it but it sure doesn't seem they thought about how it would be received by their passengers. Judging by the chilly reception it's received so far by the masses (evidenced by the half empty theater after intermission), seems it isn't the good fit they "thought" it would be.

[yogimax]

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

[hardingk]

Saw CATS last night on Oasis. It was very good. It was long, and should be shortened. Then maybe people would t leave after intermission. JMO.

[ConnecticutFlamingo]

My husband fell asleep watching this play on Broadway never mind a ship!

[John&LaLa]

They may have put a lot of thought into it but it sure doesn't seem they thought about how it would be received by their passengers. Judging by the chilly reception it's received so far by the masses (evidenced by the half empty theater after intermission), seems idt isn't the good fit they "thought" it would be.

 

Never said it was a good decision. Just curious, when CATS was first announced, was there this much hate for it. And second, were there afternoon matinees for hairspray :what:

 

FWIW, we walked out on Chicago when it was on Alure

[John&LaLa]

Saw CATS last night on Oasis. It was very good. It was long, and should be shortened. Then maybe people would t leave after intermission. JMO.

 

Someone earlier felt that ALW would not allow it to be bastardized by shortening it

[casinostreer]

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

 

RIGHT??? People paid HUNDREDS of dollars to see it in NY, London and on tour. It opened in 1982 and ran for DECADES!! There must be SOMETHING good about the show.

 

It's a family oriented show with no "boring dialogue," lots of dancing and singing, no major set or costume changes. On paper, it's a great show for a cruise ship. Maybe the production of the show isn't great or something because it was the longest running musical in the world until overtaken by Phantom.

[magiccruiser1]

I grew up wrecking the VHS tape I had of the London version, watching it over and over. As someone who loves theater, I'm HOPING that they still have it on the Oasis next August when I go. I have seen only one clip of Memories from this production on Youtube, and the show looks pretty legit.

[Sitzmark]

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

 

There are many things that are free that are still not worth the time or are otherwise undesirable. With that said Cats is one of the few things on the ship I'm looking forward to.

[Sherri914]

Never said it was a good decision. Just curious, when CATS was first announced, was there this much hate for it. And second, were there afternoon matinees for hairspray :what:

 

FWIW, we walked out on Chicago when it was on Alure

 

I think there was excitement when it was first announced. That could've been attributed to people being familiar with the name "Cats", but perhaps not familiar with the show. The reason I say that is because almost immediately after it debuted, backlash started. "It's too long", "no dialogue", "confusing", "no memorable melodies". That's just a guess anyway. I haven't seen it - it never appealed to me. But I'm going to give it a shot in November. I did listen to the music tho, and I have to say, I'm not feeling a great connection to it. But I'm still going to give it a shot!

 

Regarding Hairspray, yes, there were afternoon matinee shows. Same type of schedule that Oasis is following with Cats from what I can tell.

[Sherri914]

RIGHT??? People paid HUNDREDS of dollars to see it in NY, London and on tour. It opened in 1982 and ran for DECADES!! There must be SOMETHING good about the show.

 

It's a family oriented show with no "boring dialogue," lots of dancing and singing, no major set or costume changes. On paper, it's a great show for a cruise ship. Maybe the production of the show isn't great or something because it was the longest running musical in the world until overtaken by Phantom.

 

Have you seen Cats? I haven't. From what I've read and heard, though, I wouldn't call it a family-oriented show. I can't imagine many kids or even teens being interested in this one. I could be wrong tho. ;)

 

There are many things that are free that are still not worth the time or are otherwise undesirable. With that said Cats is one of the few things on the ship I'm looking forward to.

 

True, true. I'm going to give it a go. I'm hoping to be thoroughly impressed!

[joand452]

I'm on Oasis right now. We went to Cats last night. Yes, the first act is very slow. But I think the talent and production more than makes up for it.

 

Right after Old Deuteronomy was introduced, there was an Alpha call. The music stopped. The cats finished their number (there was no sound at this point) and left the stage. I took this opportunity to head to the restroom. When I got back to the theater, people were pouring out of the theater. Thought maybe they'd cancelled the performance. I saw there were still some people sitting, so I went back in to my DH. Another 10 minutes and the show resumed. Not long after was the real intermission. DH left, and I moved to a closer seat.

 

I actually felt bad for the actors and musicians, playing a mostly empty house. But we were well rewarded. The second act really picks up.

 

I wanted to not go, but now I'm glad I did!

[George C]

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

 

I am with you, I saw it on Broadway and liked it , you can always just leave , I have walked out of cruise shows after 10 mins

[negc]

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

 

Free or not, if a show isn't enjoyable why waste your time when there are plenty of other things to see and do that will be more enjoyable. From the many reports of half-empty theaters after the intermission and the overall negative reviews from those of us who stayed through the entire performance, I think it is reasonable to conclude that very many do not enjoy this show.