Skizzy Mars - Chemistry Lyrics

Skizzy Mars - Chemistry LyricsSkizzy Mars is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Although Skizzy is not as well known as her other contemporaries such as Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott, she has come up with some of the most interesting rap lyrics to date.The chemistry between Skizzy and her lover Nick Grant is very obvious on some of her lyrics. For example on 'Nuts on the floor,' Nick sings a brief verse over Skizzy's music, which is very easy to take, despite being repetitive and unoriginal. But in the end, there is no doubt that Skizzy has been able to make a name for herself in the rap game thanks to her rhymes.One of the biggest secrets of all to RapGenius readers is that Skizzy is just a little older than Nick Jones. If you compare her age with Nick Jones, then you'll find that Skizzy is even younger than him.Her age has probably gotten people thinking that they have the same looks as Nick Jones, but a close examination reveals that he is a bit more advanced than her. One of the great features of her rap is that it's so short and simple, yet so interesting and humorous.There are three songs on the album titled 'His Mother Should Know,' and all have a similar theme, all pertaining to her affair with Nick Grant, the one man she married. You can also spot lyrics on 'When My Mind Is Made Up'Into the Dream,' where Nick tries to persuade her to stay with him and the chances of them getting back together are minimal.When you listen to Skizzy Mars' lyrics, you'll see how intriguing they are. Some of them are quite funny, and some of them make you think she really does love Nick, despite what others might say.The song titles in her album are like a puzzle to solve, because of how cleverly they tie into her raps. So go ahead and collect them all if you haven't already!

Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor Common Problems

Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor Common Problems Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor: Common Problems Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor: Common Problems These pieces of advice are more specific to taking the actual tests themselves. If you are looking for general advice about how to study and what materials to use,   read my previous article. Instead, here I will cover more specific tips that can give you an edge on the test depending on your specific situation. These are common situations that I have found many of my students in when taking the tests, and implementing these tips has great success in helping them remedy their problems. These tips are not universal; you must take practice tests first to evaluate if these will apply to you. The Essay For the essay: First-grade essays you’ve written during practice tests using the guidelines and sample essays (or have a private tutor grade your essays for you) and determine where you are at and where you would like to be. If you have a low score looking to bring it closer to average, you need to determine where the problem lies. Three common scenarios I see with these scores are: not writing nearly enough, having very sloppy grammar and sentences, and failing to effectively respond to the prompt. Of these, the first and third are easiest to remedy. For students who aren’t writing enough, we practice timed writing. Using simpler prompts and shorter time limits, they focus on getting more sentences and ideas onto the page in the time limit. Unfortunately, speed can be a huge problem for many students taking timed standardized tests. And, as unfair as it may be, it negatively affects your score if you can’t write quick enough. The same strategy can be used if you aren’t answering the prompt effectively. Except, instead of writing many sentences in a short time limit, students should focus on making strong outlines or bullet points on how to answer the prompt. The essay needs to have substance, and that substance needs to be thought of quickly before it can be executed. Grammar and overall writing issues have less cookie-cutter solutions and vary even more on a case to case basis. It is important to write a lot and have someone to review and correct your mistakes. If your essay is already good but you are looking for an even better score, you can consider practicing implementing new elements to help improve your essay and make it stand out. This can include proper use of semi-colons and colons, more complex vocabulary words used correctly and appropriately, and varying sentence length and sentence structure throughout your paragraphs. Stay tuned for part two! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Instructor Spotlight Laura Bubbico

Instructor Spotlight Laura Bubbico Instructor Spotlight: Laura Bubbico Laura Bubbico, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Fairfield For much of her career, Laura Bubbico shared her love of learning as a Connecticut State Certified Teacher. Laura taught in the public school system for over 12 years, impacting a wide range of students from 5th graders to high school students. When Laura retired from teaching, she wasn’t quite ready to close the door on education. At the time, her daughter Liz was working as a chief assistant at a local Kumon Center. Laura recalls Liz being impressed by the impact the Kumon Method made on students at the center. Liz said to her, “You won’t believe how well this works!” Laura wanted to learn first-hand about the Kumon Method. She began her Kumon journey by becoming an assistant for early learners. Impressed by what she saw during those two years, Laura decided to open her very own Kumon Center,  Kumon Math and Reading Center of Fairfield, in June 2007. Over 12 years later, she continues to experience great joy in working with her studentsâ€"including her own daughterâ€"and helping them gain confidence in their ability. Laura’s daughter Liz enrolled at her center as an adult and challenged herself to complete the Kumon Reading Program before starting medical school. From guiding her own daughter through completing the Kumon Reading Program, to transforming a student that at first was struggling with math, Laura has learned lessons from each of her students. “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned as an Instructor is to not react, but rather respond,” said Laura. “Listen and observe first, and then offer some instruction when necessary.” By applying this mentality through her instruction, she has made a huge impact on both current and former Kumon Students at her center. What is it about being an Instructor you enjoy the most?   I love all of it! I especially enjoy the moments of transformation when a student starts to believe in their own ability. One Saturday morning, I had a young student enthusiastically say, “I can’t wait to tell daddy I’m on the plus sixes, and I can do them all by myself!” It’s moments like that I truly enjoy. Can you describe an instruction moment where you made an impact on a student?   I can remember many moments, but one student in particular comes to mindâ€"Jose. He came to my center and was truly struggling with math. I started him off on a lower level, and over the next two years with encouragement from myself and my staff, Jose began to trust us. When that trust was built, he would come in for class and greeted everyone with a smile. Jose persevered and remained motivated to work towards mastering algebra concepts before entering high school. After guiding him and providing him with study tips, he was studying above grade level. Later, he tested into a high school preparatory and received a four-year scholarship upon admission. Last summer, Jose stopped by the center to let me know he was accepted into Bowdoin College. What achievements are you most proud of?   I am proud of how many students I’ve been able to help through Kumon over the years! I am most proud of Joseph, an autistic child who at the time was unable to write and relied on his iPad in school. He enrolled in Kumon when he was in the 4th grade and made remarkable strides academically. Joseph later went on to graduate high schoolâ€"an accomplishment his parents didn’t think was possible. What do you like to do in your spare time?   I enjoy reading mysteries and gardening. I also love being with my five grandchildren. What is a fun fact about you that people may not know?   From 1996-2004, I owned and operated a bridal shop, and even did some impromptu design work. I can dye a mean pair of bridal shoes on the fly! Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Alex Tang Instructor Spotlight: Ann Quigley Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju Instructor Spotlight Laura Bubbico Instructor Spotlight: Laura Bubbico Laura Bubbico, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Fairfield For much of her career, Laura Bubbico shared her love of learning as a Connecticut State Certified Teacher. Laura taught in the public school system for over 12 years, impacting a wide range of students from 5th graders to high school students. When Laura retired from teaching, she wasn’t quite ready to close the door on education. At the time, her daughter Liz was working as a chief assistant at a local Kumon Center. Laura recalls Liz being impressed by the impact the Kumon Method made on students at the center. Liz said to her, “You won’t believe how well this works!” Laura wanted to learn first-hand about the Kumon Method. She began her Kumon journey by becoming an assistant for early learners. Impressed by what she saw during those two years, Laura decided to open her very own Kumon Center,  Kumon Math and Reading Center of Fairfield, in June 2007. Over 12 years later, she continues to experience great joy in working with her studentsâ€"including her own daughterâ€"and helping them gain confidence in their ability. Laura’s daughter Liz enrolled at her center as an adult and challenged herself to complete the Kumon Reading Program before starting medical school. From guiding her own daughter through completing the Kumon Reading Program, to transforming a student that at first was struggling with math, Laura has learned lessons from each of her students. “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned as an Instructor is to not react, but rather respond,” said Laura. “Listen and observe first, and then offer some instruction when necessary.” By applying this mentality through her instruction, she has made a huge impact on both current and former Kumon Students at her center. What is it about being an Instructor you enjoy the most?   I love all of it! I especially enjoy the moments of transformation when a student starts to believe in their own ability. One Saturday morning, I had a young student enthusiastically say, “I can’t wait to tell daddy I’m on the plus sixes, and I can do them all by myself!” It’s moments like that I truly enjoy. Can you describe an instruction moment where you made an impact on a student?   I can remember many moments, but one student in particular comes to mindâ€"Jose. He came to my center and was truly struggling with math. I started him off on a lower level, and over the next two years with encouragement from myself and my staff, Jose began to trust us. When that trust was built, he would come in for class and greeted everyone with a smile. Jose persevered and remained motivated to work towards mastering algebra concepts before entering high school. After guiding him and providing him with study tips, he was studying above grade level. Later, he tested into a high school preparatory and received a four-year scholarship upon admission. Last summer, Jose stopped by the center to let me know he was accepted into Bowdoin College. What achievements are you most proud of?   I am proud of how many students I’ve been able to help through Kumon over the years! I am most proud of Joseph, an autistic child who at the time was unable to write and relied on his iPad in school. He enrolled in Kumon when he was in the 4th grade and made remarkable strides academically. Joseph later went on to graduate high schoolâ€"an accomplishment his parents didn’t think was possible. What do you like to do in your spare time?   I enjoy reading mysteries and gardening. I also love being with my five grandchildren. What is a fun fact about you that people may not know?   From 1996-2004, I owned and operated a bridal shop, and even did some impromptu design work. I can dye a mean pair of bridal shoes on the fly! Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Alex Tang Instructor Spotlight: Ann Quigley Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju

How To Find An ECE Tutor

How To Find An ECE TutorWhy do I need an ECE Tutor? Why are they so very important? There are numerous reasons, but probably the most important of all is the fact that an ECE teacher is going to have a complete grasp of the subject. As well as ensuring that students have a correct foundation for their study and are able to write papers which pass with little difficulty, an ECE tutor will be able to apply this knowledge to their study in order to help improve.These tutors are going to be the teachers who come into the classroom and help the students when it comes to writing their exams. Students will be able to take part in groups where the tutor will be able to ask questions or give the students some help.Whilst being taught by an ECE tutor, students will be able to use their knowledge and skills to write papers and answer questions regarding the subjects covered. The teachers can then act as a filter for students as they will know what areas are of great interest to them.An ECE tuto r can also be quite a helping hand with students who may be shy or reticent about speaking in class. For example, it would be a real shame for a shy student to be faced with an examination when he or she has no idea what the questions are about.It is likely that the pupil will be confident to the extent that they will be able to write effectively on the exam papers without having the benefit of seeing a copy of the course syllabus. These tutors are often able to do a bit of legwork to ensure that students get the practice that they need in order to show how good they are when they sit the final examination.Even though many students may be faced with the prospect of taking a final examination and writing a paper to mark up, there are those who do not have the time or the desire to write a paper. Inthis case, an ECE tutor will be able to provide the answers to their questions.Students should not be surprised if they receive an extra measure of pride when they receive an award from the ir teachers. There are many who go on to achieve excellent results after they have been taught by a qualified ECE tutor.

What Is The Best Chemistry Tutor For Me?

What Is The Best Chemistry Tutor For Me?The best advice when searching for a Chemistry Tutor needed for undergraduate college courses is to be persistent. There are many people who will make it seem that there is no need for the tutoring since the student already has a great deal of knowledge on chemistry. This is not true, but it can happen if the student feels that there is some personal issue or handicap that they need to overcome. When you meet a student with such issues you must carefully assess what the situation is and, if you feel that it is suitable for your chemistry tutor to attend, you should actively initiate that conversation.Do you find the chemistry tutor to be your enemy? If so, I have bad news for you. I have the perfect answer for you.With all due respect, you probably should never hire a chemistry tutor that is actually your enemy. Even if they are your adversaries, you need to put in the time and effort into finding the right person to help you learn chemistry. N o chemistry student should feel awkward about having a tutor because, in reality, that tutor should be the best person for you, but if the chemistry tutor is not your friend and you find them to be your enemy, then you need to know that they need to be replaced.To avoid these uncomfortable situations, always remember that a chemistry tutor should be the best person for your needs and not your enemy. I am not saying that you should stay away from hiring a tutor or find a chemistry tutor that is your nemesis, but you need to get someone who is best for your education and not someone who is your enemy. It is much better to find a chemistry tutor that is your friend than it is to find a chemistry tutor that is your adversary.I believe that a chemistry tutor is not necessary to keep a chemistry course successful, and I believe that a chemistry tutor is not necessary to keep a chemistry student successful. At times it seems like the teaching of chemistry is so important that we spend more time analyzing than teaching.My personal observation of learning chemistry taught by a chemistry tutor does not seem to me to be as important as it is to some students. I would say that I do think that the chemistry teacher is an essential component of a good chemistry class, but if the chemistry teacher is really necessary, there is a danger that it can get in the way of the learning process.When you make a list of the qualities you want in a chemistry tutor, put those qualities at the top. A chemistry tutor that knows how to motivate and communicate with students is the very best for chemistry.

Organic Chemistry Tutor Unit Circle - Setting Up Your Circle

Organic Chemistry Tutor Unit Circle - Setting Up Your CircleAs a child, you will likely remember the organic chemistry tutor unit circle from your school days. The circle had some say in which part of the science class you would be able to take and some say in which grade you would need to reach in order to be eligible for that class.Sometimes, the circle has an impact on the way you will learn science class. For example, if your teacher used to be using the circle, you may never have been encouraged to do something else. For example, if your teacher only use the circle to determine who was in your science class or who needed to study more, you might think of doing the same thing.This is not fair, because there are many ways you can apply for organic chemistry tutor unit circle. In fact, there are some ways that you can even use this to your advantage. You see, in some circles, the kids just want to get out of the circle so they can study a little bit more.Although this could work to your advantage, it might also be best to wait to find out the circumstances surrounding the unit circle. When your parents decide to be more flexible, then you should take advantage of that opportunity to stay flexible with your own circle.Then, when you do find out about the circle, make sure you consider your options. If you found out about the circle, then you should still ask your parents to allow you to meet with their advisor and set up your future circle. Then, just wait to see what type of consideration your parents make of the issue.The other option is to use the organic chemistry tutor unit circle as an excuse to study more. Do not let anyone down; study until your marks are decent. This is the last chance for you to study well.Do not allow this new circle to get in the way of your studies; give yourself a break and enjoy your education. Good luck!

15 Yoga Poses with Powerful Benefits for Singers [Videos]

15 Yoga Poses with Powerful Benefits for Singers [Videos] Suzy S. You know how important breath support is for great singing but are you regularly incorporating breathing exercises for singing into your warm-ups? Read on as voice teacher Shannen R. shares 15 yoga poses to try out, designed to help with various elements of your singing   Get ready to free your vocal cords of strain, increase your breath capacity, and get the strength you need for powerful belts and the control for soft tones. Going beyond simple breathing exercises for singing, the following yoga poses free your neck, shoulders, and spinal muscles of tension. Your breath and sound will move freely, and your core muscles will grow stronger so you can manipulate your voice. 15 Yoga Poses and Breathing Exercises to Try 1. Three Part Breath Benefit: Strengthens your breath support for belting and long notes People tend to breathe shallow and in one favorite cavity of the body. Learning to use all cavities of the body will give you enough breath for belting and for long, held notes. Start either lying flat on your back or propped up with two yoga blocks, one block at the highest level and the second block at the medium height. 2. Seated Breath Benefit: Guides you to use your full breath capacity While the Three-Part Breath teaches you how to breathe into all your front body cavities, now we’re going to explore our back body cavities to use your ultimate breath capacity. Start seated with your legs crossed and your feet flexed. 3. Eagle Arms Benefit: Another breathing exercise for singing, this enhances your ability to hold belts The hardest area of the body to breathe into is the upper back. To find breath here, we will practice eagle arms.  This will also give you the ability to hold belts and soft, unwavering tones. 4. Kapalabhati Breath Benefit: Activates your core and clears your sinuses   In yoga we practice breathing techniques called pranayama. Kapalabhati breath, translated from Sanskrit to breath of fire, will activate your core and clear your sinuses to give you beautiful, open notes instead of nasal and strained notes. Repeat this for 5-15 continuous rounds. 5. Ujjayi Breath Benefit: Supports evenness of breath To hold long notes and maintain the correct pitch with an unwavering tone, your breath must be even. Ujjayi breath, another pranayama technique in yoga, is the practice of finding evenness of breath. Repeat for 5-15 rounds. 6. Neck and Back Twist Benefit: Relaxes your muscles to reduce vocal strain A lot of times when your voice strains to reach a note, your vocal cords are being pulled by tight muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back. To release these muscles, practice this easy restorative twist on a yoga bolster,  a few stacked pillows, or stiff folded blankets. You may hold this twist for up to five minutes. 7. Seated Neck Stretches Benefit:  Relaxes the neck muscles to reduce strain. Another way to stretch out the muscles in your neck is with seated neck stretches. These stretches will target the back and the sides of the neck, and can be practiced multiple times throughout a day. 8. Self Massage: Neck Massage Tool Benefit: Another relaxation exercise for neck muscles   One of my favorite neck massage tools is from Daiso, the most adorable Japanese store you’ll ever find. For this exercise you’ll need a towel and the neck massage tool, which can be purchased here or at your local Daiso store. 9. Self Massage: Neck Massage With Tennis Balls Benefit:  Another exercise for relaxing neck muscles If you don’t want to buy the Daiso neck massager, you can use tennis balls to relax your neck, which will help you avoid strain and increase your vocal range. 10. Self Massage: Back Massage Benefit: Relaxes the muscles in your spine   If your spine is tense, EVERYTHING goes wrong. This is because your spine is connected to your brain and is in charge of relaying messages to your body. If there is any tension in the spine, it can cause blocks in the message pathways, and result in excess anxiety and other mental obstacles. Spinal tension can also cause postural problems, which limit your breathing and create muscle tension. In the video below youll learn how to massage your whole spine with two tennis balls. Don’t be alarmed if it feels very tender the first time. Give light pressure and do not practice it for too long. The more you maintain a self-massage practice, the more comfort you will find. 11. Self Massage: Shoulder Massage Benefit: Relaxes your  shoulders, which can affect your neck, throat, and vocal cords The shoulders can be a tough place to get! Nail those shoulder knots that are pulling on your neck, throat, and vocal cords with this massage. 12. Spinal Twist Benefit: Relaxes your  spine, creates better breath capacity   Roll up a big fluffy towel and get ready for the cheapest and best spinal reliever of your life!  Space in the spine will create more space for your breath to travel, giving you more breath capacity when singing. 13. Tadasana Benefit: Relaxes your muscles to reduce vocal strain The key to singing is good posture   I’m sure you’ve heard this a billion times. Tadasana, or mountain pose, teaches you how to stand correctly and builds the muscles needed to avoid hunching the shoulders forward or arching the back so the ribs puff out. Correct posture will help you avoid straining your voice, and encourages evenness of breath to create controlled sound and power for belts. 14. Puppy Dog Pose Benefit:  Lengthens the spine and leads to greater power and control when singing A variation of the ever-so-famous downward facing dog, this pose will lengthen your spine, creating space in between each vertebrae, and is another great way to open up the shoulders.  Space in the spine equals space for breath, which leads to more power and control when singing. 15. Back Release and Shoulder Opener Benefit: Relaxes your  spine, shoulders, and neck, and leads to a fuller vocal range This forward fold and shoulder opener combo will have your spine, shoulders, and neck melting with relief!  This pose will relax all of your throat muscles and vocal cords so you can access a full vocal range. If you have any questions or if any of these stretching and breathing exercises hurt, make sure to check with a qualified teacher. Feel free to contact me through TakeLessons for additional help! Post Author:  Shannen R. Shannen Roberts is a yoga instructor, singer, pianist and keyboardist, singer and songwriter, and founder of self-help site The Strange is Beautiful. She teaches in Valencia, CA, as well as online. Learn more about Shannen here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Cats

Cats What to do With a Theatre Full of Cats? ChaptersBehind the Scenes of CatsThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalOne could say that musical theatre, in the 70s, was rudderless.That’s not to say that there weren’t any good shows on; A Chorus Line was a smash hit and so was Grease.Hair, the show that established the rock musical as a legitimate genre of musical theatre, was still running and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was still good for a few laughs.Still, looking at an overview of the shows on Broadway and at London’s West End is rather telling of the lack of direction plaguing the playbill on either side of the ocean:A Little Night Music â€" a Stephen Sondheim work that gave us the ballad Send In The ClownsAnnie, a Charnin-Meehan-Strouse collaboration reminiscent of the Golden Age of musical theaterEubie!: a revue of jazz and swing composer Eubie BlakeThe Wiz: a funk-and-soul interpretation of the beloved classic The Wizard of OzEvita tells the story of Argentinian political leader Eva Peron set to a rock’n’roll beatThere were, of course, plenty of other shows staged during that decade but this short list suffices to illustrate our point: musical theatre was a jumble of genres.The sure-bet composers were falling short of the mark and the old formulas were failing to make the grade â€" although, admittedly, Annie, with its lush sets and grand musical numbers, enjoyed a respectable run.Still, audiences were tired of formulaic theatre. By the same token, they were not quite ready for a return to vaudeville, as the cool reception to the musical Chicago indicated.Disco was dying and synthesised rock had not yet hit the airwaves; the music industry too was floundering.And then, Andrew Lloyd Webber stepped in to fill the vacuum left by shows failing to meet theatregoers’ expectations.In a decade absent of a distinct musical style â€" on the airwaves or in theatres, Mr Lloyd Webber did what most every other composer did: threw everything he had at the public in the hopes that something would stick.Jesus Christ Superstar, a sung-through rock musical, proved satisfying for a segment of the population but was panned by religious groups.Evita, with its songs also rocking every Opera house, was geared to the new generation of theatregoers. It garnered awards on both sides of the ocean but still did not prove to be the winning formula that would end the slump music theatre found itself in.That didn’t come until his next big venture… TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBehind the Scenes of Cats The junkyard cats introduce themselves in the first act of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: HaleewithaFlairAndrew Lloyd Webber, obviously well-read, often draws on classic works for inspiration: the Bible for Jesus Christ Superstar (and for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, staged a few years earlier). That doesn't explain his involvement in Evita.It was Tim Rice, his frequent collaborator, who introduced the idea of Evita. He was the one who had researched her in depth.Lloyd Webber was initially turned off at the idea of writing tango music and frisky paso dobles for a subject he presumably knew little about. He focused his attention on the musical Jeeves instead, a show that proved to be a critical and commercial failure.Evita, the show he turned to after Jeeves, was a hit, but nowhere near as big a hit as shows he writes based on literature he immerses himself into. In spite of that success, Andrew Lloyd Webber likely didn't feel as though he had hit his stride yet.T he idea to write a show about cats came to him after reading a collection of poems T.S. Eliot had written for his grandchildren.Because of the nature of those rhymes, with repetitive lines and short-syllable words, they were relatively easy to set to music; in fact, most of the song lyrics in Cats come directly from Mr Eliot’s poems.Still, how does one go from individual stanzas of poetry to a fully-fleshed stage show with an engaging narrative and stunning visuals?You might also wonder how the producers of The Lion King made the transition from animated film to Broadway musical…It all started out as a songwriting exercise.Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted to see if he could write music for already-existing lyrics â€" the poems. At that time, the idea of revolutionising musical theatre did not cross his mind.Only after completing an entire set of songs-from-poetry did he start envisioning the possibility of a show he he tentatively called Practical Cats. He performed the songs publicly , gauging the audiences’ reactions.Mr Eliot’s widow was in the audience; she held a portfolio of her husband’s previously unpublished poems in her lap. Among them was one titled Grizabella, the Glamour Cat.That is the poem that finally allowed Mr Lloyd Webber to visualise his collection of songs as a fully fleshed-out musical fit for audiences worldwide.He contacted West End producer Cameron Mackintosh to bat around production ideas…Yes, that is the same Cameron Mackintosh that brought us Les Miserables! Considering Japan's feline adoration, it is no surprise that Cats is one of their longest running shows! Source: Wikipedia Credit: LombrosoThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisIt’s night. The Jellicle cats gather and outline their purpose. Noticing they have a human audience, they show no fear in talking directly with them â€" a technique known as ‘breaking the fourth wall’ in theatre-speak.The cats break that wall throughout the show, in effect making Cats an immersive experience.Each of the cats introduces themselves and then make way for Victoria, the tribe’s most graceful cat, to execute her ballet, which serves as the opening of the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy will select one lucky cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer for a new life.Just as Rum Tum Tugger’s song ends, a shabby old cat makes its way onstage, hoping for her chance to make her case for a new life. The other cats recoil in disgust at the formerly glamorous Grizabella. Dejected, she wanders offstage.The par ade of cats and their acts continues until a loud crash offstage is heard. All of the cats run away in fright but it is only Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, disreputable petty thieves even in stray cat circles!When their act ends, they are confronted by all of the other cats. Needless to say, they are not the pride of the tribe!You might say that Oliver Twist and his gang enjoyed a similar reputation…The Jellicle Ball progresses but there is malevolence afoot; Old Deuteronomy is in danger and the whole programme is at risk of falling through. Through the fighting, the lights go out…How will we know which cat is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer?Also, discover cliffhangers from other popular musicals… The cats' last stand: taking a bow at the end of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: Quadratestat MannheimAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalCats set out to fulfil lofty aims and attained every one.Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tactic identifying each cat by matching its personality to a musical style was a stroke of genius.Rum Tum Tugger treated us to a rock song but Grizabella, a sad, tired cat, held forth in a dramatic aria more reminiscent of classical opera. The disparate styles of music were crafted together through preludes, recurring melodic motifs and reprises.If weaving together different genres of music was difficult, choreographing them was a magnum opus.Indeed, Cats is regarded as one of the most challenging shows to dance in the history of musical theatre, going as it does from ballet to jazz to tap to modern dance.The reason for this this vast dance repertoire is twofold.It had long been thought that American musical theatre is more amenable to choreography; British dance rs had somehow earned the reputation of being ‘less’ than those across the pond.Hiring British choreographer Gillian Lynne - and her doing a scintillating job of things was tantamount to British musical theatre thumbing its nose at Broadway, its presumably more vivacious counterpart.To make things even more taxing choreography-wise, most of the cats were meant to be on stage throughout the show even though not all of them would be dancing at the same time. That is a lot of bodies to coordinate movements for!Ms Lynne choreographed the show in such a way that every cat would stay in character even if they were sitting off to the side.Not only did she arrange for subtle movements at the stage’s peripheral but she encouraged the actors to mimic the movements of cats, grooming themselves or maybe chasing a dust ball, lending the show an anthropomorphic, slightly surreal feel.The final element that made choreographing this show so tricky is that not every stage is the same size, nor do they all have the same amenities. To wit, in some theatres, the cat ascending to the Heaviside Layer rises via a ladder, in others a sort of flying saucer is employed.Do you wonder how The Phantom of the Opera descending into the sewers is engineered?Nevertheless, the show came together beautifully and, by the by, ushered in the era of the megamusical â€" musical theatre on the grandest scale.Cats frolicked in the most renown houses: the New London Theatre and the Palladium. Across the pond, they dazzled audiences at the Winter Garden Theater, where it won seven Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and even a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.Cats holds the #2 spot for longest-running show on Broadway.Since it’s debut in London’s West End, Cats has travelled the world and been translated into multiple languages. In Japan, Cats has been playing continuously since 1983 in its own, purpose-built theatre.It has also enjoyed revival after revival, effectively proving that cats do indeed have many lives.If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of hearing for yourself one bedraggled cat named Grizabella sing Memory â€" and, of course, the rest of the Jellicle Cats sing their songs, why not see if you can find tickets for a production near you?We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.Now discover Broadway’s new smash hit, Hamilton...