The musical “CATS” is based on the poetry of T. S. Eliot. The music was composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. But the director of the St Joseph premier of the show says it’s all about the dance.

Jeff Haney and his colleagues at the Robidoux Resident Theatre call it a “dance-ical,” as opposed to a musical. With that in mind, Haney says he knew he’d have to cast a wide net to find professional, male dancers.

But he didn’t have to look far.

Performing the role of Mungojerrie will be Joseph Pilgram of Camden Point, Missouri. Pilgram recently performed in a Martha Graham contemporary ballet in Chicago, and then hopped a plane back to Missouri to begin rehearsals for CATS in St Joseph.

Haney is also gushing about the skill sets demonstrated by Darryl Wilson of Cameron, who will perform the role of Mr. Mistofflees.

“Literally, without going overboard, it’s like watching a young Baryshnikov,” Haney says. “He can go from ballet, to tap, to tumbling. You show it to him once, he has it.”

“He’s just brilliant, on every level.”

Haney reminds us that St Joseph is blessed with a large pool of talent to draw upon. But he says he was surprised to find the perfect casting fit so close to home. He also says he was surprised that he was surprised.

“We have lots of people in our very small area, that are as talented as anyone, anywhere,” Haney says. “They’ve just chosen to open dance studios, they’ve chosen to supplement their incomes in others ways, but we have people who are just as capable as any artist, anywhere.”

CATS runs October 26-28 at the Missouri Theatre in downtown St Joseph. Find out more at their Web site.