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Catalog Data

Designer:
Napier, John  Search this
Napier, John  Search this
Physical Description:
fiber, synthetic (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 27 cm x 50.8 cm; 10 5/8 in x 20 in
Object Name:
Wig
Date made:
1982-2000
Description:
This wig was part of a costume worn by actors portraying the character Mr. Mistoffelees in the original Broadway production of <i>Cats</i>. The black synthetic fiber wig is styled to suggest the appearance of cat's ears. A black-and-white tuxedo cat, Mr. Mistoffelees possesses magical powers celebrated in the song “Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.” While Mistoffelees sometimes sings depending on the production, Mistoffelees is primarily a featured dancing role. The character has some of the most challenging choreography in the show, including his signature move the “Conjuring Turn,” which is twenty-four consecutive fouettés en tournant. Wayne Sleep originated the role on the West End in 1981 and Timothy Scott later took on the role on Broadway in 1982. On the screen, Jacob Brent portrayed the character in the 1998 film and Laurie Davidson portrayed him in the 2019 film adaptation.
<i>Cats</i> broke Broadway records with its run of 7,485 performances from 1982 until 2000 at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre. The play, written and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on stories and characters from T. S. Eliot's 1939 <i>Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats</i>, and first premiered in London’s West End in 1981. The expensive and spectacular production has been called the first “megamusical,” inaugurating a new period of Broadway theater history when big-budget shows with elaborate special effects, spectacular costumes, and rock music revived the theater district’s sagging fortunes. <i>Cats</i> earned multiple Tony awards in its original run and has since been revived on Broadway and in numerous national and international tours.
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
Musical Theater  Search this
ID Number:
2000.0219.01.01
Catalog number:
2000.0219.01.01
Accession number:
2000.0219
See more items in:
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Popular Entertainment
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-7e26-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1191009