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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2000)
Floods. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Rescues at sea. International peacekeeping mission?. Whenever there's a need, the National Guard and Reserve responds. But only with the unselfish support of thousands of employers like you. THANKS FOR MAKING US YOUR BUSINESS. 'Cats’to finish its ninth life in June NEW YORK (AP) - Tears streamed down Hector Montalvo’s cheeks as he waited outside the Winter Garden Theater to see the feline musi cal “Cats” - yet again. Before Sunday’s matinee, he’d already seen the record-breaking show 670 times. And the show’s announced closure in June - after a 7,397 perfor mances - was scratching him up inside. “When I first heard the news, I was devastated,” said Montalvo, a Manhattan computer software sales man. “This is such a sad thing, but I guess all good things must come to an end.” Marlene Danielle, who plays Bombalurina, was somber, too: Her nine lives -make that more than 7,000 lives - are now winding down. “When we got the news there were tears, sure, and hugs,” said Danielle, who has played the role since the show TONIGHT ONLY wsferdeep wthjtkmlwiSt \ CflJTlNQ VlAKUj WIIDSO«Y.FH.23ID * UNL BALLROOM DOOIS OTEN ST A JO PM $5.00 WIN STUDENT ID $7.00 FOR NON-STUDENTS QUESTIONS CALL: 47S458S began in October 1982. “And believe it or not, there was lots of laughter. Somehow, everybody knows in their heart that nothing goes forever,” she said. “We brought the show into the new millennium. How much more can you really f/VX exDect?” fit ft . The Andrew ll_-V Lloyd Webber ly 1 musical will bring V\ down the final curtain \ ^ June 25, after a nearly V" two-decade run on A Broadway. I Jr By the end of its I y run, “Cats” - with its / . “Now and Forever” KT \ slogan - will have V played to more than 10 V, million theateigoers in Fjsz New York. On Broadway alone, its cer: grosses are estimated to be more than $380 million. But its receipts have dwindled in the last two years, at E^^ times falling to only - 50 percent capacity, particularly in the lean winter months after Christmas. “When you look at it, we’re running into our 18th year, and the houses have been slow,” Danielle said. “It’s a busi ness, and they have to make men muiicy. While saddened, cast mem bers said news of the closure will make the remaining shows special. “It makes people cherish the per formances,” said Lenny Daniel, who plays the character Alonzo. “Everything sharpens, and you focus on what I can do to do the best and enjoy the time the absolute most:That’s the general feeling. Every moment on that stage now, there’s a countdown.” Other fans were harder hit. “This is the tenth time I _ have seen it, and I must admit I’m feeling pretty sad,” said Ernie Puglise, a Connecticut music teacher who brought classes to the show over the years. “I really think it’s the best musical ever written.” But fans and cast members were optimistic about a life beyond the show’s final rendition of its signature song, “Memories.” “We are all trying to leave with the attitude that this is just another door opening rather than one closing,” said performer Lenny Daniel. Tesha Bess, who has played the character Rumple Teaser for one and a half years, said cast members have “all been auditioning for other things because we knew this had to happen at some point” And Montalvo said life will go on for him, too. “I’ve made friends with a lot of the cast,” he said, “and I look forward to seeing them in their future projects." Melanie Falk/DN ppp* . •" -i' ^ REGISTER WITH MYBYTES.COM GET ft FREE SONIC ABYSS MULTIMEDIA CD j \ AND AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO OUR 1 m ’• ■ M Score Big, Score Often Sweepstakes. YOU COULD WIN AN INSTANT PRIZE! 1 Plus, you’ll have a chance at $100,000 TOWARDS YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION. mybytesl *¥‘ Vv ; . \ \ ■ 'tMflWERHB ...