By Charlene Baldridge | Theater ReviewHow does one address a cat? According to T.S. Eliot, by its name, but only after first bowing. And by the way, “a cat is not a dog.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, “Cats” (based on Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” may take a deep bow for the current James Vasquez-directed, San Diego Musical Theatre-produced edition, which opened at the North Park Theatre on Webber’s birthday, Saturday, March 22 and continues through April 6.

The children in the audience, especially those on the aisles, were entranced as the bewhiskered company scampered up and down. Vasquez assembles an exemplary company that made at least one person scratch her chin in advance. Kürt Norby as Old Deuteronomy? He was brilliant indeed, making every word understood and contributing to one of the best-sung productions of “Cats” in memory. And speaking of “Memory” (the show’s hit tune), musical theater veteran Debbie Prutsman is cast as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, who is well beyond her days of beauty and youth. Prutsman is fondly remembered for her performance as Hesione in Starlight’s 2004 production of “Triumph of Love” in Balboa Park.

All the Jellicle Cats gather for the Jellicle Ball, which culminates in Old Deuteronomy’s selection of one cat to go on the journey to the Heaviside Layer, where another life awaits. Each cat tells his or her story as a kind of audition for the honor. The result is an evening of catlike behavior, dance and song, heavy on the dance.

After nearly 40 years of “Cats” experiences, Webber’s music as well as Eliot’s premise grow familiar and dear and with the passing of the years become more profound than treacle-laden. The climax of “Memory,” in which Prutsman lets loose the emotion the outcast Grizabella’s been guarding all evening, threw this listener to the back of her seat. It was a splendid moment in an evening of splendid moments, and Prutsman deserves the ovation she received at the curtain call.

The ensemble’s sound — incredibly articulate and high-flying and all important — is enhanced by music director and conductor Don LeMaster’s inclusion of four pit singers, Janie d’Avignon, Athena Espinoza, Doug Schmitt and Chris Tweedy. It’s a treat to remain in place at the end of the show to hear the 16-piece orchestra’s play-out music. The choreographer, Janet Renslow, complements Vasquez’s solid, insightful staging. Other production artists are lighting designer Matthew Novotny and costume coordinator Janet Pitcher. The set comes from Fullerton Civic Light Opera.

Others in the company are Cody Walker (Munkustrap), Justin Ray (Rum Tum Tugger) and Jeffrey Scott Parsons (Skimbleshanks), who are ably supported by dancer/singers Danielle Airey, Liz Daniels, Alexis De Donato, Deborah Fauerbach, Courtney Fero, Max Cadillac Gidaley, Krysten Hafso-Koppman, Kyle Hawk, Dylan Hoffinger, Keith Johnson, Aurore Joly, Arielle Meads, Joy Newbegin, Michael Parrott, Steven Rada, Bailey Sonner and Eric Taylor.

Readers are urged to support these fierce felines.

“Cats”
When: Runs through April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays,
Where: North Park Theatre, 2891 University Avenue, North Park
Tickets: $26-$56 (various discounts apply)
Info: sdmt.org or 858-560-5740