A Variety of Mistos
So, I found this playlist of full stage productions of Cats and two more that weren’t in that playlist, so I’ve been spending way too much time switching between them in an attempt to watch them all at once.
Although most of the productions have done little to stand out from each other yet, I do have some thoughts. I’ll list the ones about various Mistos:
Zurich 1992: Feels like a prototype of 1998 Misto. A few moments that I haven’t seen in any version outside the 1998 show up here. There’s the bit at the beginning of Gumbie Cat where Misto thinks he’s about to become the center of attention and embarrasses himself, and he pulls Bustopher’s tail in his number. But, there’s a major difference in tone. In 1998, these scenes are cute and funny, with in 1992, they’re kind of sad.
In 1998, when Misto messes up during Gumbie Cat, Munkustrap gives him a look and then continues the song as if nothing happened. Some of the kittens tease him, but the mistake is quickly forgotten. In 1992, Munkustrap seems genuinely upset that Misto sort of spoke out of turn and some of the other older cats seem to scold him as well.
In 1998, Munkustrap stops Bustopher from leaving the song early in response to Misto pulling on his tail and Skimble just goes and finds the hat that Bustopher sits on. In 1992, Skimble is constantly trying to keep Misto away from Bustopher and Misto pulls his tail while Skimble’s back is turned and briefly gets in trouble for it.
Both Mistos do a lot of the same things, but 1998 Misto has the support of some of the Responsible Adults of the tribe. 1992 Misto doesn’t.
Also, this is the one version where I actually buy the idea that Old Deuteronomy is Misto’s dad. He’s the first Responsible Adult to treat Misto kindly, which makes their relationship stand out. Since Tugger and Misto don’t really have much romantic chemistry in this version, they can be brothers. Tugger is the older brother who teases his younger brother but secretly really cares. Every production is different.
Buenos Aires 1993: This Misto is definitely Bustopher’s son. Bustopher motions him closer during his solo and gets annoyed with Skimble for trying to butt in on their time. Misto is clearly the favorite among Bustopher’s fan club and can basically sit beside him if he wants to.
Madrid 2004: This Misto sings Gumbie Cat like the original London version and I think that might be why his character is a bit different. He seems like Munkustrap’s assistant. He’s fairly mature and level-headed, can perform musical numbers all by himself, taking over the narrator role, and Munkustrap seems to sometimes look to him to help manage things. It’s like Alonzo assists Munkustrap in protecting the tribe, but Misto is the assistant in organization.
Broadway 2016: Misto isn’t given nearly enough to do. He dances, he flirts with Tugger, and that’s it. He has no dynamic with Munkustrap or Bustopher or anyone else besides Tugger, really. Tugger and Misto are fun to watch together, but it feels like when he’s not with Tugger, Misto might as well not be there at all.
