Mr. Mistoffelees (from Cats): E-Z Play Today

This arrangement captures the character's mischievous magic without overwhelming students still building technical fluency. The E-Z Play Today series distills the essential charm of the piece, letting pianists enjoy genuine musical entertainment while staying within a manageable range of difficulty. It's a legitimate gateway to Webber's compositional voice.

Mischievous and sleek, like a cat padding through shadow with purpose. There's wit in every phrase and a touch of theatrical magic that makes straightforward piano work feel sophisticated and fun. The music bounces between clever and clever-again, with moments that sparkle.

Intermediate piano students who've developed basic sight-reading skills and want to perform something recognizable and theatrical. Teachers seeking contemporary material that builds technique without requiring advanced hand independence or complicated pedal work also benefit from this edition. Recital performers looking for a fun, character-driven piece will find this accessible yet satisfying.

• Keep the articulation crisp and precise throughout. This cat moves with intention, and rhythmic clarity conveys personality more effectively than dynamic flash.
• Balance playfulness with control in the faster passages. A rushing tempo undermines the character's cool confidence.
• Listen for harmonic color in the jazz voicings. Even in a simplified arrangement, these chords create the song's personality when voiced cleanly.

Pair this with other contemporary musical theater selections for a full program theme, or use it as a lighter moment in a recital between more serious classical work. It works beautifully as an encore that leaves audiences smiling, and students love performing something they recognize from film or stage.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Jazz chord voicing and voice leading
• Character interpretation through articulation and phrasing
• Sight-reading of theatrical material
• Tempo management in playful passages