And who is Felix, played by Helen Hayes Award Winner (for Hedwig…) Rick Hammerly? Rick says,”Felix fancies himself an intellectual operating on a higher consciousness than most “regular” folks. He has eschewed the world of the physical and lives in a world of logic and literature. The fact that Felix has all but isolated himself from the real world speaks more of his fears and lack of socialization than it does of his superior mind. As he comes to realize through the course of the play, this “higher level” of existing has really only brought him loneliness and a disconnection from life. I play Felix as a Tony Randall-esque prig; all reason and no real sense of fun. It is great to play someone who goes through such a huge emotional change in the course of the evening. It is also nice doing a show where I can wear trousers, for a change.”
And why are these two pain – in – the- asses characters so attracted to each other, and why can’t they just get away from each other? Rick feels that, “Doris really pushes Felix’s buttons. She doesn’t waste time with reason or logic, but lives for the moment and is seemingly fearless of what the next moment will bring. She brings out the sexual and physical aspects of Felix which he has suppressed for so long. Once the bottle of Felix’s sexuality has been uncorked, he can only think of having Doris in his life. He tries valiantly to rationalize this attraction, but in the end, it is her sexuality and willingness to live that helps change and redefine him.”
Jeffrey is convinced that Doris and Felix stay together because of “trust.” “They get themselves to a point where they can not hide from each other any more. In their desperate attempts to hold on to their “put on” identities they have shown their true selves at their best and worst to each other and they are still sitting in the same room together – caring about each other.”
And that’s when you give a “hoot” about them.
Jeffrey is hoping that audiences will, “arrive with curiosity…then as they watch, they begin to find themselves intrigued and challenged a little. Then they find that they are saying to themselves, “boy, we are having a great time! We haven’t had such a good belly laugh in a while!” Finally, when they leave, they’ve had a chance to escape for two and a half hours, laugh a little, think a little, and that they are more than satisfied with their choice of coming to an ATW production (and hopefully looking forward to seeing what we will have to offer in the future).”
The Owl and the Pussycat plays at The Source Theatre until March 25th.
I want to discuss the Camari Theater group’s performance of Hamlet that occurred in beautiful downtown Shirlington a couple of weeks ago. Is that allowed or does there have to be an article posted?
Thanks DC SM for commenting, and I’m glad you like the show. You are correct: the song does begin with “Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement.Has the moon lost her memory? She is smiling alone.In the lamplight The withered leaves collect at my feet. And the wind begins to moan.” But it was here- “Memory All alone in the moonlight.
I can smile at the old days. I was beautiful then. I remember the time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again,” when the sound began to be cranked up. And then the incredible powerful microphone attacked, as I describe above at …”Touch me…” I loved Cats when I first saw it – it was new and exciting and I am always happy when kids see the show and love theatre because of it. But Memory is a gorgeous song and there is no need to crank up the volume when it’s sung like they did at the Warner the night I saw it. American Idolizing every song in the theatre today is destroying musical theatre and I needed to let my readers know that I am tired of it. Joel
For some CATS is a wonderful show. Maybe you don’t like it, and maybe I don’t like it, but for some people it’s their first entree to the theater. So, I say “welcome, and enjoy the show.”
Besides, if you’re going to be “catty” at least get the lyrics right. The sound starts, “Midnight . . . ” not “Memory . . . ”
Maybe you need to see it again and pay a little more attention.
I watched George M at Toby’s last weekend. It’s a wonderful show.