"Memory, all alone in the moonlight!" Anyone who is the slightest bit familiar with musical theater is sure to know these famous lyrics: They are, of course, from the song "Memory" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical CATS.The musical is based on the book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot and is the winner of seven Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards (London's equivalent to the Tony Awards), held the title of longest-running show on Broadway until 2006 and still holds the title for longest running show in London. That's quite a list of accomplishments. And now, this award-winning, record-breaking production is opening tonight at Boston's Colonial Theatre for a quick one-week engagement that you are sure not to want to miss.

Billed as "The longest running, most popular North American Touring Production in history," the show has been dazzling audiences of all ages since the early eighties and has not stopped since.

No other show has adhered so strictly to the original production, managing to thrill audiences for decades since its initial opening on Broadway on Oct. 7, 1982 without changing its original director (Trevor Nunn), designers (John Napier & David Hershey) or choreographer (Gillian Lynne).

What is unique to this particular tour is the amount of talented young actors fresh out of college and high school, though it is not short of high-quality, seasoned professionals.

Broadway Across America, the production company responsible for booking the tour, is renowned for bringing Broadway shows to cities that may not otherwise have an opportunity to host the musicals and occasionally also staging plays of New York's Broadway District. With this production, because it has not changed hands over time, it is as if the audience is seeing the same production that originated almost three decades ago.

CATS brings the audience down to the level of mere alley cats set in a larger-than-life junkyard. When the show begins, the Jellicle Cats, the main focus of the show, come out to celebrate the Jellicle Ball, inviting their new audience companions to join them in celebration.

Focusing on the untold stories of the lives of street cats, this show is sure to have you feeling for them one minute and singing along the next.

The show is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the master of some of Broadway's catchiest tunes from some of Broadway's most famous shows, including Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and, of course, The Phantom of the Opera (the current record holder for longest running Broadway show).

With music written by such a stellar composer, CATS is sure to be a memorable performance for all who attend.

The show runs from tonight until Sunday. Student rush tickets may be available one hour prior to the performance on the day of the show, depending on availability. CATS has been seen by millions of people throughout the world. Now, isn't it time you go down to Boston's Colonial Theater to see what all the fuss is about?