'Cats' struts into Pittsburgh's Benedum Center

The feline fantasy that is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical “Cats” is bringing its North America tour to Pittsburgh.

Benedum Center will be the setting Feb. 25-March 1 for the latest gathering of Jellicle cats as part of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the musical that has been seen in more than 30 countries and in 15 languages tells a story of a magical night when the nocturnal tribe gets together at its annual ball to decide which cat will be reborn.

A highlight of Webber’s original musical score is the haunting melody “Memory,” sung by Donna Vivino in the role of Grizabella. Her Broadway credits include “Les Miserables” (Young Cosette) and “Wicked” (Elphaba), in addition to “Fame Becomes Me” with Martin Short, “Hairspray” and “Saturday Night Fever.”

CMU alum is one of the cats

Portraying one of the leaders of the pack is Zachary Berger of Niskayuna, N.Y., a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, where he earned his BFA in musical theater/drama.

The cat he portrays, Munkustrap, is second-in-command after the tribe’s patriarch, Old Deuteronomy (Adam Richardson), and he’s charged with making sure the Jellicle Ball runs smoothly.

“He’s a loving, protective leader,” Berger said of his character. “I always look at him as a princely panther. At the end of the day, the tribe looks up to him when Old Deuteronomy isn’t around.”

Berger has been with the show for two and a half years, having performed in two other international tours to Korea and Taiwan.

“People all over the world love ‘Cats,’ especially in Asian countries, where they love the costumes and our interaction with the audience,” he said.

Munkustrap is featured in several songs, including solos in “The Old Gumbie Cat” and “The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles.”

Not one cat is the same

“The whole ensemble is constantly singing and dancing in the show,” Berger said. “Everyone is working so hard and not one cat is the same.”

His credits also include the world tour of “Jekyll and Hyde,” national tour of “Hello, Dolly!” starring Sally Struthers, off-Broadway production of “All That Glitters” as Liberace and other regional shows, including for Pittsburgh CLO.

Berger is proud of his training at CMU, where he said “there’s a standard set by our school. They taught us about work ethic, always being open to new ideas, opening up and taking chances.”

“Cats” is a very physically demanding show for the cast and “you definitely have to eat well and take care of yourself,” the actor said. The biggest challenge is in “becoming” a cat, which requires a certain way of walking, running and using one’s claws throughout the production – all while wearing a unique cat costume and makeup designed for each character to project their personality.

“You have to be that specific or the audience doesn’t believe you. That’s the hardest part of the show,” he said.

Acting like a cat

Andy Blankenbuehler (“Hamilton”), who designed new choreography for the musical based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, said “Cats” gives the dancers the opportunity to know that they’re “carrying the show.”

“They’re soaring through the air; they’re sliding on the ground. There’s an expectation that they’re going to jump like a cat, and grip like a cat and spin like a cat. And so there’s amazing opportunities for them – but they’re going to work really, really hard,” he said.

“This cast is a tremendous group and their heart is so into it, they want nothing more than to give their 100% all of the time.”

Berger has been a fan of “Cats” since he first watched the movie version as a 5- or 6-year-old boy. “I loved it as a kid,” he said. “Every time I’m tired I always think of that moment that really inspired a child.”