One day, about a week before CATS was to close, the
fear of never seeing it on Broadway hit me hard!!! 
Before I could escape to the refuge of the car my
tears came, and of all horrors in my favorite coffe
shop. My mother tried to console me and say it would
be revived, but I didn't want to see a revival!!! It
wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't be the original
theatre that made CATS famous, it wouldn't be Marlene
Danielle the original Bombalurina, it just wouldn't be
MY Broadway CATS! 
So my mother and I set about making plans to get to
New York! Since we live in North Carolina we had to
figure out a way to get to the state. Since my mother
was afraid of flying, we chose Greyhound bus. (I
will walk to New York before I do that again!) The
tickets for the show was a fiasco, because it was so
close to date! But we ended up getting three tickets
in Orchestra rather off to the side but good seats!!!!
We didn't want to stay in New york over night because
the hotels were pretty much booked up!!! So we ended
deciding to take a bus ride up to New York the night
before and sleep on the bus, stay in NY the whole day,
see the show, ride back the same night. Boy were we
tired!!! 
We arrived in New York city about ten o'cklock in
the morning Friday the 8th. We had breakfast at a
cute cafe', and did some sight seeing. We ate at
China Fun for lunch and headed on to near the Theatre.
When I first spotted Winter Garden, I nearly cried. 
Then we went and found a bathroom for me to change
into my sister's CATS video shirt and apply my
Bombalurina makeup.
After I had finished putting on makeup, we headed back
to the theatre. By that time the lobby was open and
people were filling in. I stood there next to the
podium where they sold the CATS programs, and a young
lady approached me. It turned out to be Misto Kitty,
a girl knew on the internet. We talked for a long
time, when Little Gris came up and said hello too. A
man came out to sell the programs, I bought one, and
so did my sister.
Finally the house was open, I bought a shirt to put in
my saverbox. As we lined up to go in the actual
seating area, I peeked in and saw the stage. I was
finally here at Winter garden theatre about to see the
GREATEST show ever!! I was so happy!!! I walked in
and a woman seated me, I held my breath as I waited
for the show to begin.
The lights went out and the overture started, I nearly
started crying again, but I talked myself out of it
cause I wanted to see the show. When I saw the
shining green eyes I was in bliss!!! Every one was
superb, I loved them all!!! 
At intermission, I met Misto Kitty on stage, where Old
Deuteronomy sat still as a statue. The thrill of
being on CATS stage was so amazing I wanted to stay
forever and not let the show close its doors. I 
looked around, and saw every detail of the stage and
memorized it, because there would be no second chance.
The last act began, and I was spellbound again. I
wanted it to last forever, and never end. when the
standing ovation began I stood and cheered as hard as
I could!!! I left the theatre to go to the lobby
where I talked with Misto Kitty some more, and got a
picture with her. One young man came up to me and
asked, "Do you know the guy who plays Rum Tum Tugger?"
Of course I said no. Then he asked for a picture of
me, and of course I agreed, I am a camera
ham. After he took the picture he said "Thanks, and
you were great in the show!" He walked away before I
could tell him that I wasn't Marlene Danielle. 
We walked around back and got some autographs, and two
pictures. And that was my CATS experience.

Purrs
Bombalurtina