Read and discuss the books that inspired Broadway musicals, enriching understanding and enjoyment of both!
We typically meet the fourth Thursday of the month at the Northeast Neighborhood Library at 6:30pm in the Mezzanine Conference Room. Please click "Register" or email Jeff at jeffrey.gluckman@dc.gov to sign up.
To see past and upcoming Page to Stage Book Club selections and more about the book club, check here!
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939) is a collection of light poetry by T.S. Eliot about whimsical cats that he wrote in the 1930s originally as letters to godchildren under the assumed name "Old Possum." They became the inspiration for Andrew Lloyd Weber's hit musical "Cats," originally premiering in London in 1981 and Broadway in 1982. It won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score (Andrew Lloyd Weber), and Best Performance by a Female Actress (Betty Buckley as Grizabella), among others.
"Cats" was the longest running production on Broadway until its record was overtaken by "Phantom of the Opera" in 2006 (which is still the longest running production). After a brief revival in 2016-2017, a film adaptation of "Cats" was infamously released in December 2019 to scathing critical and audience reviews at a substantial financial loss.
Copies of the book will be available to check out from the Northeast Neighborhood Library. To reserve your own copy, please check the catalog.
For more supplementary material: