Drat! The Cat! is a 1965 musical comedy about a police officer from the past who tries to catch The Cat, a famous jewel thief who steals jewels. The officer is in love with The Cat's secret identity. The show's Broadway performance lasted only eight days. The story and songs were written by Ira Levin, and the music was composed by Milton Schafer.

History

In 1957, Ira Levin had the idea for the show and started writing it in May 1961. The show was first called Cat and Mouse during its development. However, after Gunter Grass published a book with the same name, Levin and his team changed the title. In 2005, Levin said, "I didn’t like it then, I don’t like it now," and noted that some critics also disliked the original title. He added advice for young playwrights: "Never use two exclamation points in a title. One is acceptable, but two are not."

The show opened in September 1965 at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia for a test run outside of New York. It had 11 previews before moving to Broadway. On October 10, the Broadway production began at the Martin Beck Theatre. It was produced by Jerry Adler and Norman Rosemont and directed and choreographed by Joe Layton. The show ran for only eight performances. The cast included Lesley Ann Warren, Elliott Gould, Charles Durning, Jane Connell, and Beth Howland. Herbert Grossman was the music director, and Clare Grundman arranged the orchestral score. Lesley Ann Warren won the Theatre World Award for her performance, and the show was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design.

Levin originally wrote the music himself, even though he had little experience in musical composition. His agent, Flora Roberts, later convinced him to let Milton Schafer write the music instead.

A recording of the Philadelphia show was released in 1965 as a demonstration record by Capitol Custom (TB-504). Later, Blue Pear Records released an original cast album from a secretly recorded live performance. At the time, Barbra Streisand, who was married to Elliott Gould, recorded a version of the song "He Touched Me," which was a gender-reversed version of one of the show’s songs. Her recording reached number two on the Easy Listening chart. The B-side of that single was "I Like Him," also from the show. In 1997, Varèse Sarabande released a studio recording of the show featuring Susan Egan, Jason Graae, Judy Kaye, Bryan Batt, Jonathan Freeman, and Elaine Stritch. This recording was produced by Bruce Kimmel.

Synopsis

The story is a spoof of late-Victorian melodrama. At its center is Alice Van Guilder, who wants to have a career when women are expected to marry well instead. Frustrated by the challenges blocking her path, she becomes a cat burglar and steals from the homes of wealthy people in Manhattan during the 1890s.

Musical numbers

• "Drat! The Cat!" – Citizens, Patrolman, Mayor, Pincer, and Mallet

• "My Son, Uphold the Law" – Roger Purefoy and Patrolmen

• "Holmes and Watson" – Alice Van Guilder and Bob Purefoy
• "She Touched Me" – Bob

• "Wild and Reckless" – Alice

• "She's Roses" – Bob and Kate Purefoy

• "Ballet: 'Ignoble Theft of The Idol's Eyes'" – The Cat, Patrolman, and Attendants of the Idol

• "Dancing with Alice" – Bob, Alice, Mr. & Mrs. Van Guilder, and Guests
• "Drat! The Cat! (Reprise)" – Mr. & Mrs. Van Guilder and Guests
• "Purefoy's Lament" – Bob

• "A Pox Upon the Traitor's Brow" – Pincer, Mallet, Emma, and Patrolman

• "Deep in Your Heart" – Bob

• "Let's Go" – Alice and Bob
• "It's Your Fault" – Mr. & Mrs. Van Guilder

• "Wild and Reckless (Reprise)" – Bob

• "Ballet: 'The Upside-Down Thief'" – Bob, Citizens, Patrolman, and Kate

• "Today is a Day for a Band to Play" – Pincer, Mallet, Emma, Patrolman, and Citizens
• "She Touched Me (Reprise)" – Bob and Alice

• "I Like Him" – Alice

• "Justice Triumphant" – Entire Company
• "Today is a Day for a Band to Play (Reprise)" – Entire Company