BRIEFLY . . .

“Cats,” the 1982 Broadway musical extravaganza, returns to San Diego for eight performances beginning at 8 tonight at the Civic Theatre.

“Cats,” based on T. S. Eliot’s collection, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” won seven Tony Awards. It was the third musical by British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber to be successfully transplanted from London’s West End to Broadway. Webber’s musicals, such as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita,” “Cats,” and more recently, “Phantom of the Opera,” have had unprecedented success as theatrical imports in the United States.

Directed by Trevor Nunn, “Cats” features Eliot’s poems set to Webber’s music. Performances continue through Sept. 18. Although tickets on Broadway cost $50, in San Diego the price range is $20 to $37.50.