ORLANDO — A lot of unique and talented performers have graced the stages at Dr. Phillips Center For the Performing Arts in recent years, but next week, it’s the Cats that jump into the spotlight.

Cat lovers, take notice. From Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Saturday, Feb. 21, The Amazing Acro-Cats will bring their unique feline performance skills to Dr. Phillips Center.

“Known for their impressive blend of entertainment, education, and heart, the Acro-Cats feature talented rescue cats performing jaw-dropping tricks — jumping through hoops, riding skateboards, ringing bells, and even playing instruments — all through positive reinforcement training,” the Center notes in a new release.

This may be the purrrr-fect opportunities for fans of their feline friends to see what cats can do when an audience is eagerly waiting to be entertained.

What are the Amazing Acro-Cats?

Remarkably, the kitty performers all started out at strays, orphaned cats or rescues. Rock Cat Rescue Inc., a non-profit agency that promotes pet welfare and adoptions, recognized that cats may have something to add in the entertainment department as well.

“The Amazing Acro-Cats show promotes the importance of strengthening bonds with cats by providing enrichment and mental stimulation through positive reinforcement clicker training,” notes Rock Cat Rescue on its website. “Our troupe of trained domestic house cats, all adopted former orphans, rescues, and strays, gives our audience a one-of-a-kind purrformance that includes cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls, and performing other feats of agility and entertainment.”

The show was created by animal trainer Samantha Martin in 2005 after she got inspiration from a special cat named Tuna. “Tuna is credited as the co-founder and was the former star of the Amazing Acro-Cats, as well as the original cowbell player for Tuna & The Rock Cats,” Rock Cats Rescue notes. “Her protégés, Ahi Tuna and Albacore Tuna, are now carrying on her legacy as ‘Tuna.’ “

The show has become equally popular for demonstrating how humane training methods and devoted animal advocacy can combine to create a family-friendly show with humor, surprises, and a few jaw-dropping kitty stunts that have become big crowd pleasers.

As Dr. Phillips Center notes, this is a “90 minute ‘purrformance’ that includes cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls and performing other feats of agility and acrobatics. The show finale is the only all-cat band in the world: Tuna and the Rock Cats. The Rock Cats play guitar, drums and piano and they’ve been joined by the Jazz Cats on saxophone, trumpet and clarinet.”

There is a humanitarian cause behind the show. The Amazing Acro-Cats show raises funds to boost animal welfare initiatives while encouraging pet adoptions.

“The Amazing Acro-Cats show promotes the importance of bonding and training cats with positive reinforcement, while also finding homes for rescued cats,” Dr. Phillips Center notes. “Rock Cats Rescue has found homes for hundreds of cats and kittens since 2009.”

Where Can I See The Amazing Acro-Cats?

The Amazing Acro-Cats will be performed at Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts in its Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando. For tickets, call the Box Office at
407-358-6603.

The shows are from Wednesday–Saturday, Feb. 18–21, with performances on Wednesday–Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.

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