Broadway comes to Napa Friday when Justin-Siena Theatre presents its “reimagined” production of the Tony Award-winning “Cats.”

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Elliot, is the 80th show produced at the school. The show opened on Broadway in 1981.

“I had friends in the cast of the original Broadway production of ‘Cats,’ so I probably saw it 30 or 40 times in the course of the 18-year run,” said Justin-Siena Theatre Director Matthew Teague Miller, an alumnus of the school who went on to perform on Broadway. “I always loved the show, but felt that a different approach would help clarify some of the confusion that audiences sometimes had about the plot.

“It seemed to me that people who saw it either loved it or hated it,” Miller said.  “And if they hated it  it was because they were wondering why there all of these singing, dancing cats.”

Miller said he decided to move the setting from a  urban junkyard to a place where it might be more easily understandable  to an audience: Now all the cats will be singing and dancing in the dreams of an imaginative child.

“Without changing a word, I just wanted to try a few new ideas in regard to the concept.” he said.

Miller said a talented student created the costumes, which “will also be different” and the students designed their make-up.

The result, he said, is spectacular family entertainment.

The Justin-Siena cast includes Fiona Barbour (Jellylorum), Madison Bath (Bomalurina), Vincent Beard (Rum Tum Tigger), Nicholas Bellomy (Old Deuteronomy), Amanda Biane (Coricopat), Kristen Brotemarkle (Carbucketty), Lauren Bunnell (Jennyanydots), Amanda Fagundes (Tantomile), Mackenzie Fanfelle (Rumpleteazer), Allison Fitzgerald (Demeter), Meghan Fitzpatrick (Skylar), Robert Francis (Shimbleshanks), Jeffrey Gerlomes (Asparagus), Nicole Hamilton (Admetus), Alexandra Hensley (Plato), Chelsea Holifield (Quaxo), Bridget Huston (Mr. Mistoffelees), Kellyn Lopes (Victoria), John Malin (Bustopher Jones and Steggie of Macavity’s Goons), Mark Marden (Uggi of Macavity’s Goons), Molly McClure (Cassandra), Merik  Mulcahy (Munkustrap), Lauren Orris (Electra), Ali Owner (Grizabella), Mary Katherine Pecha (Etcetera), Eric Quast (Mungojerrie), Marika Rothfeld (Georgia), Michael Starr (Alonzo), Haili Wells (Gee M Cee), Diana Welsh (Sillabub) and Greg Zobel (Casey of Macavity’s Goons).

“Cats” opens at the North Gym at Justin-Siena High School on Friday night at 8 p.m. Saturday night there will be a gala dinner and performance beginning at at 6:30 p.m. Additional performances are Sunday at 2 and 8 p.m.; April 26 at 7:30 p.m.; April 27 at 8 p.m.; April 28 at 2 and 8 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $40; for other performances tickets range in price from $12 to $20. For tickets or more information about Justin-Siena Theatre, call Matthew Teague Miller at 255-0950 ext 585 or e-mail millerm@justin-siena.com.

‘Cats’

Justin-Siena High School

Friday, April 20, 27,  at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 21, Gala, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 22, 2 and 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 27, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 28, 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m.

Tickets: $12-$20

Box office: 255-0950 ext. 585