Moscow Cats Theatre Returns to LA's Wilshire Ebell Theatre

After a memorable engagement in 2006, the world's only Moscow Cats Theatre is back in Los Angeles for eight performances in April and May at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

The family show originally from Russia has become nationally recognized as a one-of-a-kind act that features non-stop action from a group of 30 talented felines performing jaw-dropping stunts that is fun for the whole family.

And with its actors exclusively these furry toms, Moscow Cats Theatre is a show for all ages as children, parents and even grandparents are treated to an extraordinary performance that can't be seen anywhere else.

"The cats are the stars of the show - they walk tightropes, balance balls, do paw-stands, jump from great heights, and unerringly negotiate complex mazes," said Yuri Kuklachev, artistic director of Moscow Cats Theatre.

"We glorify them and that's why we provide the cats with a traveling entourage including a vet, kitty caretaker and personal stylist to tend to the needs of our feline superstars."

Over thirty years ago, fortune came to Kuklachev when he discovered a small, dying kitten in the street. From that day forward, cats became Kuklachev's new love.

And with his training in circus school and a new pet in his home, Kuklachev had finally found his calling.

"It's not me who trains cats," Kuklachev asserted. "It's cats who train me, and I just watch them. The main thing is to love the animal and when your fluffy friend has felt it, it will reciprocate."

Just a year ago, Moscow Cats Theatre hit the United States with its debut in New York City and immediately turned into one of the city's most popular attractions, earning appearances on Good Morning America, Good Day, CBS Early Show, Inside Edition, The Montel Williams Show and Live with Regis and Kelly.

Critics and publications across the board have raved about the hit show, which supports the work of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The New York Times remarked, "Roll over 'Cats,' the real thing is here," while the New York Post commented that the show is simply "Spec-cat-ular."

Others have also praised the show's unique setting, including Newsday, which added, "This show is the cat's meow." Meanwhile, Bloomberg News sings its own praises for Moscow Cats Theatre: "The Russian cats have pawed their way to the top...these furry divas can act."

The cast also includes two dogs and six clowns performed by Kuklachev, his wife Yelena, Inga Gerasimova, Alexander Gerasimov, Lioudmila Smirnova and Vasili Zhuravlev.

But for Kuklachev, the guiding principle behind the Moscow-based Cats Theatre remains, "Give all your kindness, all the good you have accumulated, to the spectators."

"In order for a cat to come out with you onto the stage, it not only has to know you but it has to trust you," he said. "It is scared by music, audience, applause, and thus it has to see you as the one who protects it. The main thing is to find mutual understanding."

Since his debut on the Moscow circus scene 13 years ago, Kuklachev has gained more and more prominence with his act in proving to skeptics that cats can actually be trained. For that, Kuklachev is now one of Russia's favorite and brightest clowns and animal trainers.

"The cat is very much like a man," he explained. "In principle, even Freud can be projected onto a cat's life, after all there are horoscopes for cats. It has been proven that cats born under one sign of zodiac differ from those born under the other. Sometimes, it happens that a cat is just not willing to do trick and the audience should be made to understand that that's how it is meant to be."

Since his childhood days, Kuklachev had always dreamed of becoming a clown. So when he discovered his love for pets several years later, he quickly entertained the idea of creating a stage for these trained animals to be put on display.

Today, the Cat House group consists of more than 100 cats of different breeds. While Kuklachev once found his actors in the streets, he now breeds them himself.

That's not all that has changed for Kuklachev.

In fact, it's been Kuklachev's pets who have taught him plenty over his training career-specifically that it is possible to find a common language with them to teach them new and exciting tricks.

His love for felines even prompted him to write his own chapter in the book, Lessons of Kindness, detailing the quirky memories and stories from working with his production.

"All that my cats do on stage stems from their natural behavior," he said. "Cats prefer night rehearsals, which is a little bit inconvenient for a trainer because he also has to work at night. Age doesn't really matter."

Kuklachev's cats have toured all over the world, such as Japan, Mexico, Canada, Israel and the United States, as their trainer has garnered prestigious international awards like The People's Artist in Russia, Honorary Member of the American Clown Association, the Silver Clown Award in Monte Carlo, the Golden Clown Award in Canada, the Golden Oscar in Japan and a San Marino postage stamp.

"One must really love animals to work in our theatre." Kuklachev added. "Normally, cats behave quietly and never harm people. They are so amazing; they must have come from some other world to soften our hearts."

Moscow Cats Theatre features nine individual programs, including "Cat's Kidnappers," "Cats, Clowns and Love," "City and World" and "Prince and Pauper."

Each season, the theatre puts on new premieres with the latest one, "Puss in Boots" launching this past January on New Year's Eve and starring an extraordinary 70 cats.

Tickets for Moscow Cats Theatre are currently priced at $49.90 and $59.90 and on sale through Ticketmaster at 213-365-3500, Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please visit www.moscowcatstheatre.com.