The 'Cats' come out at Post Falls High

POST FALLS - Cats are on the prowl at Post Falls High - students performing in the upcoming "Cats" musical, that is.

Theater and music students will present Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-energy musical Thursday night with a dinner theater fundraiser for their departments and the Post Falls Food Bank, followed by regular performances on Friday and Saturday.

It has been a decade since "Cats" was performed at PFHS.

"We love the music and it gives the students an opportunity to perform a unique type of musical," said Linda Fry, PFHS theatre director. "The students are designing their own costumes and cat makeup."

The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles. One night they decide which cat will ascend to the "Heaviside layer," a symbol for heaven in the afterlife sense, and come back to a new life.

The doors open at 5 p.m. for Thursday's dinner fundraiser. The dinner, which includes chicken, beef stir fry, carrots, mashed potatoes, salads and dessert catered by Garden Plaza, runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and available at PFHS, the food bank and Super 1 Foods in Post Falls.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows - both at 7 p.m. - are $5 and available at PFHS and Super 1.

Taylor Pingel plays Mungojerrie, while Katie Schini performs as Rumpleteazer. The pair of near-identical cats cause trouble for people and perform a duet dance.

"I finally learned how to do a somersault," Pingel said.

Brooke Carlson plays Jennyanydots, a large tabby cat.

"This has been a great experience for me," she said. "The cast is a ton of fun, and this musical is very different than anything I have ever done."

"Cats" is based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Eliot.