With book and lyrics by Ira Levin and music by Milton Schafer, DRAT! THE CAT! makes its West Coast debut – only 60 years after its initial Broadway run. A talented and renowned playwright with hits like Rosemary’s Baby, The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil, and Deathtrap, Ira Levin decided to try his hand at a musical. The idea of a cat burglar and a detective struck him in 1957; and in 1961, he began to write the musical comedy. In 1965, DRAT! THE CAT! opened on Broadway starring Lesley Ann Warren, Elliot Gould, and Charles Durning – but played for only eight performances before it was closed. Of course, Ira’s brainchild was up against some Broadway blockbusters, including Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, and Funny Girl. Besides that, even if audiences seemed to enjoy the show, there was a newspaper strike at the time. And so this little spoof of turn-of-the-century melodrama faded away. Even after Stephen Sondheim wrote a note to Levin praising his lyrics and Bruce Kimmel (the show’s current director) produced a recording of the almost-lost musical, DRAT! THE CAT! was not fated to become one of Levin’s famed pieces. In 2025, the Group Rep proudly revives DRAT! THE CAT! for today’s audiences.
Sydney DeMaria and Alec Reusch – Photo by Doug Engalla
The time is spring in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the place is New York City. The entire wealthy glitterati are horrified: a clever, stealthy cat burglar is lifting diamonds from high society’s darlings. The police must step in – but who is up to this monumental task? When Roger Purefoy (Lloyd Pedersen) – the former chief of detectives and the best sleuth in town – unexpectedly dies, the job is up for grabs. The Superintendent of Police (Doug Haverty) and the Chief of Police (Rob Schaumann) finally turn to his son Bob (Alec Reusch), an earnest, good-hearted but bumbling detective. When he accidentally stumbles on the cat burglar – none other than the daughter of a millionaire New York businessman – he almost immediately falls for Alice Van Guilder (Sydney DeMaria). True, she does bop him with a bottle and secrete his chained-up person in a hidden room. But love is love. And Bob isn’t ready to give up on her as he desperately tries to reform her evil ways. Will he succeed? Thereby hangs the melodramatic tale.
Lloyd Pedersen and Constance Mellors – Photo by Doug Engalla
Skillfully directed by Bruce Kimmel, who actually knew and respected Ira Levin in the “good old days” of Broadway super hits, DRAT! THE CAT! gives a run for the money while earning the respect of contemporary audiences. He is aided in no small part by a talented cast who are clearly having a lot of fun bringing this show to life. Kudos to DeMaria, who has the voice of an angel, and to the huge ensemble cast. There is even a band with piano by Gerald Sternbach, bass by Tim Christensen, flute/clarinet by Paul Cotton, trumpet by Tom Marino, and percussion by Craig Pilo.
Steve Young, Lloyd Pedersen, and April Audia – Photo by Doug Engalla
Kudos to the production team, including Audrey Szot (scenic design), Shon Le Blanc (costumes), Krys Fehervari (wigs), Echo Brejcha (lighting), John Harvey (sound), and all the others without whom the show would have floundered. The Group Rep pulls off another winner from the ghost of a flop. Ira Levin would have been proud. Congratulations, and keep up the good work.
Alec Reusch and Sydney DeMaria – Photo by Doug Engalla
DRAT! THE CAT! runs through April 27, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays (talkbacks after the show on Sundays 3/23 and 3/30). The Group Rep performs at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets are $44 (seniors/students $38, 10+ groups $30). For information and reservations, call 818-763-5990 or go online.
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