One of the most unforgettable and visually striking Broadway shows was Cats. I saw Cats in the late '90s, and even as a child I was captivated by the music, dance, and story of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece.
Years later, the show is no longer available for a live audience, but can still be enjoyed through clips and sound bits on the Internet.
But there was always one song in particular that gave me the chills.
"Memory" doesn't just carry a powerful tune and boast beautiful lyrics. The performer must put herself in the shoes of an aging, former Glamour Cat who only wants to be accepted by the tribe of cats that she had left when she was younger. It is not an easy role to play.
But Betty Buckley plays Grizabella wonderfully and with so much passion. Her voice captures the pain her character endured in the outside world and the pain she must endure as a pariah in the cats' society. As the first Grizabella, she sets the bar very high!
The first Broadway production of Cats in 1982 won many awards the following year, including Best Costume Design, Best Director, and Best Performance By A Featured Actress In A Musical for Betty Buckley's portrayal of Grizabella.
If you were just as captivated by Betty as I was, please SHARE!
