Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production of its 2026 season, CATS, in the North Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 5 - 29, 2026. CATS, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical CATS” by T.S. Eliot, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is directed and choreographed by Mandy Modic and music directed by Linda Madonia. The production includes a preview performance Thursday, Mar. 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a press opening Friday, Mar. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Memberships for the 2026 season are also available at MusicTheaterWorks.com and group discounts for 10 or more people are available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Music Theater Works kicks off its 46th season with CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s electrifying, Tony Award-winning musical. In this immersive production set in a larger-than-life British flat, audiences may join the magical and all encompassing world of the Jellicle cats as they gather for the annual Jellicle Ball, where one will be chosen for a new life. Through a series of dazzling musical numbers, each cat shares their story— from the mischievous Rum Tum Tugger, to the mysterious Macavity, and the once-glamorous Grizabella. Featuring unforgettable songs, breathtaking choreography, and a whimsical atmosphere, CATS is a celebration of life, community and the power of memory.

The cast of CATS includes Ava Lane Stovall (she/her, Grizabella); Luther Lewis (he/him, Old Deuteronomy); Nick Johnson (he/him, Mr. Mistoffelees/U/S Munkustrap); Ethan Lupp (he/him, Rum Tum Tugger); Daniel Hurst (he/him, Munkustrap); Sterling Ford (he/him, Macavity/Plato/Rumpus); Molly Bremer (she/her, Jellylorum); John Cardone (he/him, Bustopher Jones/Asparagus); Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor (she/her, Demeter); Danny Spagnuolo (he/him, Skimbleshanks); Emma Jean Eastlund (she/her, Bombalurina); Morgan Schoenecker (she/her, Jennyanydots); Alex Villaseñor (he/him, Mungojerrie); Madison Jaffe-Richter (she/her, Rumpleteazer); Irene Lo (she/her, Sillabub/U/S Victoria); Tola Abitogum (he/him, Tumblebrutus/U/S Skimbleshanks/Mungojerrie); Mikala Curless (she/her, Victoria); J'Nae Howard (she/her, Electra); Ciara Jarvis (she/her, Tantomile/U/S Demeter); Albert Johnston (he/him, Coricopat/U/S Rum Tum Tugger); Mia Hilt (she/her, Cassandra/U/S Rumpleteazer); Emily Ann Brooks (she/her, Carbuckety/U/S Jennyanydots/Jellylorum, Dance Captain); Alex Iaobucci (he/him, Pouncival/U/S Macavity); Whitney Turner (she/her, Exotica/U/S Bombalurina/Sillabub); Raymond Cam Truong (he/him, Alonzo/U/S Mr. Mistoffelees); Rachael Dec (she/her, Off Stage Chorus Alto/U/SCarbuckety/Cassandra/Tantomile); Andrew John Baker (he/him, Off Stage Chorus Tenor/U/S Tumblebrutus/Pouncival/Alonzo/Coricopat); Jake Elkins (he/him, Off Stage Chorus Bass/U/S Deuteronomy/Bustopher Jones/Gus) and Mai Hartwich (she/her, U/S Grizabella).

CATS’ creative team includes Mandy Modic (she/her, director/choreographer); Linda Madonia (she/her, music director); Alina Lowenstein (they/them, assistant music director); Jordan Beyeler (she/her, assistant choreographer); Danielle H. Gennaoui (she/her, circus artist); Jay Donley (he/him, violence choreographer); Amber Wuttkle (she/her, intimacy choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Rachel Rock (she/her, stage manager); Milo Bue (he/him, scenic designer); Nga Sze Chan (she/her, props designer); kClare McKellaston (she/her, costume designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, wardrobe head); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair, wig and makeup lead); Adam Jezl-Sikorski (he/him, lighting designer); Jackson Mikkelsen (he/him, head electrician & light board programmer); Anthony Churchill (he/him, media designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, production sound engineer); Keely Vasquez (she/her, casting director), Chris Chase (he/him, production manager); Katie Meine (she/her, company manager) and Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc (any with respect, producing artistic director). 

CATS Special Events

Post Show Discussions

Audiences are invited to stay after the 2 p.m. performances on Sunday, March 8 and Sunday, March 15 and join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of CATS. Free with your performance ticket, this engaging discussion is perfect for audiences to learn about the production, its history and more.

Binny’s Broadway Lounge

Music Theater Works’ donors of any level and season subscribers are welcome to access Binny’s Broadway Lounge before the performance and at intermission of CATS. Sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, the Lounge is located on the second floor at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and offers complimentary drinks and snacks. Reservations are not required. The Lounge will be available for CATS, Saturday, Mar. 7 (opens at 6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Mar. 14 (opens at 1 p.m.).

ASL Interpreted Performance

The Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. performance will be ASL interpreted.

ABOUT MANDY MODIC, DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER

Mandy Modic is so excited to return to Music Theater Works where she directed Legally Blonde last year! Some other favorite directing credits include: Guys and Dolls (Berkie Award Winner for Most Outstanding Musical), Matilda and Dear Jack Dear Louise. Some favorite choreographer credits include: Something Rotten! (Berkie Award Winner for Best Choreography), 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, State Fair, White Christmas, R&H Cinderella, Wedding Singer, Guys and Dolls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sound of Music and Newsies. Modic is passionate about educational theater and has helped build musical theater programs abroad in Shanghai, China and Lima, Peru. Proud AEA member.  

ABOUT LINDA MADONIA, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Linda Madonia is thrilled to be back at Music Theater Works for CATS where she has previously music directed Guys and Dolls, Shrek, Mamma Mia and Camelot. Other recent projects include Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Sister Act at Mercury Theater Chicago. Anything Goes, Cabaret and A Chorus Line at Porchlight Music Theatre. Madonia also serves as the contractor for the Chicago Federation of Musicians for Porchlight Music Theatre and Music Theater Works. She is the vocal coach for the master’s degree program in Music Theatre Pedagogy at Carthage College and owns American Eagle Productions, which has been at the forefront of Theatre Education in the Chicago area for the past 35 years.

MUSIC THEATER WORKS 2026 SEASON

The 46th season opens with CATS, March 5 - 29, 2026 and is followed by West Side Story, August 13 - 30, 2026. The season will continue with Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, October 8 - November 1, 2026 and concludes with Hairspray, December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027. Memberships and single tickets are now available. For more information on the 46th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com. 

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 45-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics.