The popular musical “Cats” may be coming to movie theaters soon, but area residents have a chance to see it earlier and live with the Playhouse Merced production.

“Cats” is running at the Playhouse theater at 452 W. Main St. in Merced through Dec. 15.

Based on T.S. Elliot's whimsical collection of poems, “Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,” Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular musical brings together a tribe of Jellicle Cats on a moonlit evening, who must make the "Jellicle choice" to decide which of them will ascend to the mysterious Heaviside Layer to be reborn.

This record-setting musical features celebrated standards such as "Macavity: The Mystery Cat," "Jellicle Song for Jellicle Cats," and the haunting "Memory."

A magical, moving, and often hilarious glimpse into the lives of others, “Cats” takes Elliot's lyrical poetry and puts it into the mouths of a diverse company of singing, dancing felines.

Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $16 and $23. For tickets visit http://www.playhousemerced.com/