‘Cats’ The Musical Gets A Rap Makeover

Rap seems to be taking over the theater world. After the Broadway premiere of the Tupac inspired play Holla If Ya Hear Me, rap has crept its way into the unique art form going as far as to influence a performance at this year's Tony Awards. The creator of Cats hopes that rap's new hold on theater will breath new life into the upcoming rendition of his play.

The legendary musical plans to gain a little street cred by making character Rum Tum Tugger a rapping cat. Creator Llyod Webber whom based the musical on a series of poems by T.S. Eliot told Associated Press "I've come to the conclusion that ... maybe Eliot was the inventor of rap.The thing about the Eliot verse is that you can tell he's American. Nobody other than Eliot would have written 'The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat.'"

The role this particular feline was previously portrayed as a rocker.

[The Wire]