A cast of actors and actresses predominantly from the region will come together next week for The Regals Musical Society's production, CATS: Abridged Edition to be performed at Rockdale Town Hall for a limited time only.
Starting on May 24, the musical tells the all-encompassing story of the Jellicle Cats set in a larger-than-life junkyard playground, played by a re-imagined cast all aged between 10 and 18.
The abridged edition being performed sees the junior cast take centre-stage, featuring selected popular songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the smash hit Memory.
The play combines two casts, including some of the best nurtured talent the town hall has seen, who bring this iconic musical to life.
Among those performing, are 13-year-old Blake O'Mara plays the flirtatious character ''Rum Tum Tugger'' in the older ''Tabbies'' cast (13 to 18 years), while his younger sister, Tahlia O'Mara (12) plays the tragic and fragile glamour cat ''Grizabella'' in the younger "Kittens" cast.
Other local cast members include Joel Ruz, Iyla Clark, Sasha Cole and Brooke Cotton who all play key roles throughout the production.
With the musical's songs being new to the majority of the cast, musical director and local music teacher (Sydney Technical High) Julie Ryan has praised the hard work of all involved.
''The children who are on the stage have worked extremely hard to learn a huge amount of repertoire," Julie said.
"The undertaking of a show that is entirely sung is not for the fainthearted. These young minds have grabbed this challenge with both hands and the results speak for themselves.''
The production which has been six months in the making says production director, Courtney Josh.
"From sitting through the 150 plus auditions, to casting, to rehearsing, this show sure has been a challenge with more than 80 cast members, but it has been worth every second."
With so much feline activity in the play, the Regals Musical Society will donate a portion of the show proceedings to the RSPCA.
An as an added attraction after most of the shows, some of the CATS characters will come out to the foyer in their CATS costumes and make-up to greet the audience.
It will be a great opportunity for audience members, especially kids, to take photos of themselves with their favourite CATS character, to keep as a memory of the show.
