'Cats' to roar into Broadway record book
June 19, 1997
Web posted at: 4:14 p.m. EDT (2014 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The hit musical "Cats" is to become the
longest-running show in Broadway history Thursday evening,
surpassing previous record-holder "A Chorus Line."
Thursday's performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
moves into the record books with its 6,138th show. The
milestone performance is set to begin at 6 p.m. at New
York's Winter Garden Theatre, two hours earlier than normal
to allow for post-performance celebrations.
Broadway will be closed between 50th and 51st Streets to make
way for the celebrations. At approximately 9 p.m., the entire
cast, fully costumed, is to emerge from the theater to kick
off the festivities.
Klieg lights will sweep through the sky heralding the
milestone. Fireworks will boom overhead. Confetti will
cascade over the streets. And the champagne will flow freely.
"Cats," based on the poems of T.S. Eliot, made its Broadway
debut on October 7, 1982. It won the 1983 Tony award for best
musical and has become one of New York's most popular tourist
attractions. Its slogan reads: "Now and Forever."
Choreographer Gillian Lynne said the show almost never made
it to the stage because of financial problems. But she said
she's not surprised it's lasted so long because of its appeal
to theater-goers of all ages.
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