Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of "Cats" is a remarkable rendering of the venerable hit that prowled Broadway for a recordsetting 18 years beginning in 1982. Although its incredible run has since been surpassed by "Phantom of the Opera," it remains the standardbearer in London, where it ran for 21 years.

The show at Thousand Oaks Civics Arts Plaza is based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," a book of 14 poems by T.S. Eliot. With a lush score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Cats" is as entertaining as a musical can get without having much of a story. It centers on a group of cats auditioning for its leader, who will select one cat to ascend to the Heavyside Layer for reincarnation.

Like "Hair" and "A Chorus Line," "Cats" is an ensemble show, with most of the characters appearing onstage for nearly the entire production. It is similar to "Hair" in that the cats are in a sort of tribe, and like "A Chorus Line" the main thrust of the show is a competition, but this is where the similarities end. The show is physically demanding for its performers, who rely on extensive dance experience as they slide, slither and tumble about the elaborate junkyard set's labyrinth of openings, platforms and ladders. The herkyjerky grace of the performers is mesmerizing at times as they meander about, interacting with patrons during some of their numbers.

Musically, "Cats" brings forth tuneful elements from another catchy Lloyd Webber musical, "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The character of Rum Tum Tugger, played by Michael Hunter, brings to mind the preening, hip-swiveling Elvis-like Pharoah in "Joseph."

Lloyd Webber draws from a life experience of admiring traditional show tunes and Italian opera, which inspire many of his songs. The most notable is "Memory," the show's biggest hit, which is performed three times by the marvelous Melissa Lyons as Grizabella.

All the actors are excellent, but a few can be singled out for exemplary performances: Jessica Bernard for her exquisite singing as Jellylorum on "Gus: The Theatre Cat"; Jo Patrick as the malevolent magician "Mr. Mistoffelees"; Will North, in the double role of retired cat actor Bustopher Jones and his alter ego Growltiger; and Jimmer Bolden as the "decider" of the tribe, Old Deuteronomy.

The dancing was uniformly splendid; director-choreographer Dana Solimando (who played Rumpleteazer on Broadway) and assistant Billy Johnstone should be congratulated for whipping their actors into shape in a matter of a few weeks. The highlight of their work was "The Jellicle Ball" ballet at the end of the first act.

The choral numbers were at times a little clunky, with ensemble numbers in the first act showing a lack of vocal crispness. The sound in that act was marred by a loose connection in the speaker system, causing distortion and intermittent amplification, but the problem was happily solved after intermission.

The wardrobe and makeup design (supervised by Christine Gibson) was wonderful—it was a good idea to limit face makeup so that characters' expressions could be clearly seen.

In the post-Saturday matinee talk-back session, music director Ilana Eden revealed that vintage 1980s synthesizers were employed in the production. Although many of the actors had grown up with the show, others were newcomers to musical theater, a testament to Cabrillo's ability to bring out the best in its performers in a startlingly brief time.

"Cats" concludes its scamper on Sun., Aug. 2. For tickets, call (805) 449-2775.