
More about the show
Known for its spectacular music and innovative storytelling, the MTH production features explosive hip-hop and street jazz choreography to tell the tale. Set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground, MTH sold out every performance of its original run in 2018.
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Creative Team
directed by
TIM SCOTT
music director
TY TUTTLE
choreographer
COURTNEY GERMANY
scenic designer
YI CHIEN LEE
costume designer
GEORGIANNA LONDRÉ
lighting designer
DANNY LAWRENCE
sound designer
JON ROBERTSON
stage manager
LACEY WILLIS
Performers

Christopher Barksdale
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Christopher Barksdale, is a familiar face to the Kansas City theater scene. He was a leading dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for the 21 seasons. He was in the First National Touring Company of the Will Roger’s Follies, and in the chorus of the Broadway show Thoroughly Modern Millie. In addition to his theater credits, he has worked in Opera Houses in this country and abroad. He has also been seen in local theater venues like Starlight, The Coterie, and the Unicorn Theater and recently The Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City. He works as a teacher at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice. He is the Resident Choreographer for The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. His roles include, The Lion (The Wiz), Papa Ge (Once on This Island), The Coterie Theater. Jacob/Claudine (La Cage aux Folles) The Unicorn. Candide (Candide) L.A Opera. NoMoe (Five Guys Named Moe) and Ain’t Misbehavin and Sarafina, Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City. And Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar) The Arts Asylum and This Happy Breed. He has also worked for Mesner Puppet Theater on several shows. Christopher is thrilled to be working with the cast and crew of Cats here at MTH!! Featured roles at MTH include the Emcee in Cabaret and Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles.

Bryce Bayer
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Bryce Bayer is excited to return to MTH after appearing in A Chorus Line in 2023! Originally from St. Louis, and now based in NYC, Bryce has performed with companies across the country. Regional: Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The Muny, The Wick Theatre, American Stage Theatre Company, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Laguna Playhouse, and more! Millikin University BFA Musical Theatre graduate. Represented by The Movement Agency. Love to family, friends, and dad. @bbayer7

Lauren Braton
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Lauren Braton. Local: Sweeney Todd, The Secret Garden, R&H Unplugged, Ragtime, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, She Loves Me (Music Theatre Heritage); Fun Home, Last Days of Summer, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Christmas Carol, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods (KCREP); Nine, Violet, A Little Night Music (Spinning Tree Theatre); School of Rock, First Date, Cinderella, Sound of Music (Starlight Theatre); Where the Wild Things Are, Shrek (The Coterie); Grey Gardens (Unicorn Theatre); Life Could Be A Dream, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, No Way to Treat a Lady, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (American Heartland Theatre); Judy Barbra Liza and Blues in the Night (Quality Hill Playhouse). www.laurenbraton.com

Tessa Brethowr
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Tessa Brethowr is a junior BFA musical theatre student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and is absolutely thrilled to be back home in Kansas to make her MTH debut! Credits include Pauline in West Side Story (KC Starlight), Jackie in Lippa’s The Wild Party (Boston Conservatory), Morticia in The Addams Family (Arizona School for the Arts), Audrey in Drama Queen: A New Musical (The Rockwell/Berklee). Many thanks to the cast and crew, her family and friends, and huge hugs to Cora and Louisa. All glory to God!

Rachel Curry
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Coming soon!

Angel Z Duong
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Angel Z Duong brings elegance and versatility to burlesque, musical theatre, and cabaret. Performance credits include STEVIE (2022), A Chorus Line (2023), Luxuria (2023), Tryst: A Lover’s Rendezvous (2023), Whiskey Dynamite (2024), and Guys and Dolls (2025). She’s graced stages in Kansas City, Denver, and internationally.

Eric Geil
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Coming soon!

Ron Lackey
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Ron Lackey – Ron is a singer and actor who has performed all over Kansas City. Ron last appeared at MTH in the Ruby Room show ELLA & LOUIS and before that AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ on the MTH mainstage. Ron is the manager and lead vocalist for the band 2Proud2Beg and has been involved in music for over 25 years. He is also a music minister at a church in Overland Park, KS where he lives with his wife, Kim, of 31 years and his 4 children. Enjoy the show!

Tony Pulford
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TONY PULFORD MTH credits: The Man of La Mancha, In The Heights, The Who’s Tommy and Jesus Christ Superstar. Other acting credits include: Sister Act, and MAMMA MIA at New Theatre Restaurant. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Tomás and the Library Lady, The Miracle Worker, and The Cat in the Hat. Evita at The Kansas City Repertory Theatre, West Side Story at Spinning Tree Theatre and with the KC Lyric Opera. A Soldier’s Play at The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. Follow him on instagram @tonyjopulford

Sasha Reid
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Sasha Reid is thrilled to be making her onstage debut with Music Theatre Heritage! Originally trained in classical ballet, Sasha danced for over a decade before shifting to musical theatre during high school. She recently graduated with a BFA in Filmmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute, where she cultivated her passion for performance art and experimental filmmaking. Sasha has been working as a production intern at MTH, most recently on Guys and Dolls, and is excited to now be stepping into the spotlight herself.

Scotty Sharp
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Coming soon!

Weston Thomas
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WESTON THOMAS (Skimbleshanks) is meow-ver the moon to be marking another dream show off his bucket list with CATS! Missouri State University alum. MTH Credits: A Chorus Line, Funny Girl, Spectacular Christmas. Other Select Credits: School of Rock, Legally Blonde (Starlight); Matilda, Hello Dolly, Annie, Freaky Friday, The Spongebob Musical, Newsies, Seussical (Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park); Crazy for You (Tent Theatre); Something Rotten, Newsies (The White Theatre); The Prom, Elf (MTKC Pro). Weston also serves as Assistant Director of KC A Cappella, Sound Proof. Meow-gical thanks to all family, friends, and Austin! @Weston_Thomas

Maryann Traxler
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MARYANN TRAXLER (Jellylorum) MaryAnn is a Kansas City native who has wandered far and found that there’s no place like home. She is thrilled to be back at MTH, where her previous credits include: Godspell, A Chorus Line, It’s A Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play, and DOLLY: Ruby Room Series. Other favorite credits: School Of Rock (Patty Di Marco, Starlight); Carnival Cruise Line (Principal Singer/Dancer); Legally Blonde (Ensemble/U/S Elle, Starlight); Merrily We Roll Along (Beth, MTKCPro); Freaky Friday (Monica, The New Theatre). All glory and honor to God. Love to Robb, her family, and friends who have become family. Follow @mrosinskiphoto
Musicians
Kyle Brown
Drums
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Kyle Brown, percussion- Musical Theatre Heritage: Gypsy; Cabaret; My Fair Lady; The Producers; Cats; Christmas Spectacular; Buddy Holly Jolly Christmas; La Cage aux Folles; Quality Hill Playhouse: I’ve Got Rhythm; Aquarius; Rhapsody In Gershwin; New Theatre Restaurant: Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story; Church Basement Ladies; Menopause The Musical; Nunsense; Spinning Tree Theatre: Violet; West Side Story; 13; Assassins; Caroline, Or Change; Bubble Boy; The Unicorn Theatre: Hands On A Hardbody; Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson.
Kassie Ferrero
Bass
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Kassie Ferrero has been playing the bass for over 20 years, exploring all different genres and musical settings. She regularly performs with orchestras such as the Kansas City Symphony, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony where she holds the Assistant Principal title. While classical music is her bread and butter, you can also find her throughout the KC Metro performing in musicals, contemporary concerts, and any other occasion where a bass is needed! She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory, both with a focus on double bass performance. Outside of music, you can find Kassie baking, enjoying time with her family, or helping others at Local Cannabis Company, her second home.
Nate Nall
Trumpet
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Coming Soon!
Michael Prucha
Woodwinds
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MTH Performances: Sweeney Todd; Other Performances: Starlight Theater, Kansas City Music Hall, KC Rep, UNO Summer Music Theater Academy, Omaha Rose Theater, Orpheum Theater Omaha, Omaha Community Playhouse, Chanticleer Community Theater, Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. Other: Teaching Artist, Harmony Project KC; Teaching Artist, UMKC Conservatory Academy & Bridges
Ty Tuttle
Piano
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Ty Tuttle is a KC based pianist and musical theatre coach. He recently received his Master’s degree in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Recent credits: Secret Garden, Titanic, Jump and Jive (MTH), Ordinary Days (Krannert Center for the Performing Arts), Mamma Mia! (Central Illinois Stage Co.), and Gianni Schicchi (Eastern Illinois University).

Meet the Makers
Join us as we take our creative team out into the community for these free neighborhood events.