The local Acting Out Theatre Co. is presenting the musical "Cats" this week. It'll be performed on the Manteno Diversatech campus, 555 Mulberry St., Thursday through Sunday, starting at 8 p.m., each night.

The cast, the plans for a pre-show event and other announcements have all been made. But there are still at least five things most folks wouldn't know about this show, the record-setting, longest-running production on Broadway.

1. The cast of 24 requires 31 wigs. And the sound crew has stowed the actors' microphone packs beneath that carefully crafted headgear. They had to be placed there because the dancing requires a lot of cat-like rolling around.

2. The show-stopping song, "Memory," has been covered by nearly 50 other singers, from Barbra Streisand to Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Celine Dion, Petula Clark, even Liberace.

3. The custom-built set had to bedesigned to make human-sized characters relate to objects as though they were cat-sized. "So I measured my cat Millie, and she's a little cat, but she can stretch up to about two-and-a-half-feet tall." explained set specialist Julie Gindy. "Our 'cats' range from about 4 feet, 11 inches, to 6 feet, 8 inches, so we made things 2 to 2 1/2 times bigger.

"The steps are bigger. The dresser is 7 feet tall and 10 feet wide. The chair is 8 feet tall. It causes some issues, but it's part of being a cat."

4. The costumes are like no other production. It's mostly spandex that was hand-painted. And, of course, every costume comes with a tail and strict orders to keep it clean. Cast members are definitely not encouraged to lick them clean as a cat would.

5. This show is an ensemble effort. Every character has their moment in the spotlight. And every cat has its own personality. "I think the audience can relate to each of them," said director Sharon Richardson. "Maybe you'll know a person like that. Heck, maybe you'll know a cat like that."

She added that advance ticket sales have been strong, but there still is room on the lawn for more fans. For ticket information, visit actingouttheatreco.org. Or you can buy tickets in person at King Music in Bradley, Joy's Hallmark in Kankakee, Elite Community Credit Union in Bourbonnais, and Homestar Bank in Manteno. Advance tickets are $15. You also can buy tickets at the gate on the night of the performance. Those will be $20.