Podcasts about jellicle

We were honored to be invited to the reunion brunch for the Jellicle Tribe, a group of members from the US National Tour 4 of Cats. They got together before opening night of CATS: The Jellicle Ball to catch up and discuss all things CATS. Hear us discuss the excitement for the opening night, changes from their tour, and who is their Jellicle choice. Featuring (in order): Natasha Davison, Leslie Trayer, Nancy Melius, Eddie Buffum & Elizabeth Mills, Helen, Lauren, & Steve Watkins, Linda Leonard, General McArthur Hambrick, Daniel Wright, Joyce Chittick, Donna Lee Marshall, Jacob Brent About the Production: Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” is a radical reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical based on T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, inspired by the Ballroom culture that roared out of New York City over 50 years ago and still rages around the world. Staged as a spectacularly immersive competition by Zhailon Levingston and Artistic Director Bill Rauch. Unfortunately, this production closed way too soon. Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[REBROADCAST FROM May 21, 2026] The stars of Broadway's nine-time Tony-nominated musical ‘CATS: The Jellicle Ball' join All Of It with Alison Stewart live in The Greene Space at WNYC. Enjoy live performances from the show's stars, including André de Shields and Tempress Chastity Moore, and hear from co-directors Bill Rauch and Zhailon Levingston as well as co-choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons about bringing ballroom to Broadway in this celebrated revival. This event is part of All Of It's Broadway on the Radio series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“In ballroom, femininity in particular is embraced. It really shifted my perspective on things.” This episode features Bebe Nicole Simpson who is performing as Demeter in Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Bebe discusses the show's early closing, her late introduction to CATS, and how she researched Demeter's traditionally darker Macavity backstory before adapting it to this production's “House mother” Macavity. Bebe compares lore variations across CATS productions, including shifting relationships and new theories in The Jellicle Ball, and talks about the move from The PAC to the Broadhurst, where staging and audience sightlines changed performance choices. Bebe shares a unique perspective on how ballroom helped her embrace femininity and body image. An episode you won't want to miss. 02:46 Demeter and Macavity Lore 13:09 PAC to Broadway Transition 19:33 Learning Ballroom Culture 26:09 Walking Categories and Body 27:43 Costume Confidence 30:37 Ballroom Body Positivity 31:26 Onstage Lore And Relationships 37:47 Improvised Comedy Bits 43:57 Rapid Fire Check out Bebe on Instagram: @bebeeee_nicole Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're meeting two of the trans women behind the Tony Award-winning musical CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Cats: The Jellicle Ball is the Broadway hit of the season that reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical Cats as a celebration of House Ballroom Culture. In this episode, we hear from Qween Jean, the show's Tony-winning costume designer. Then, we speak with Tempress Chasity Moore, a ballroom icon who stars as Grizabella. This week's Trans Joy spotlights artist and drag performer Bri Joy. Send your Trans Joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow Tempress Chasity Moore on Instagram (@I_am_Tempress) and watch her podcast on YouTube (@FQCrazySexyCool)Follow Qween Jean on Instagram (@qween_jean)Follow Bri Joy on Instagram (@brij0y) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailAhead of her highly anticipated run at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Millie O'Connell sat down to discuss her role as Demeter in Drew McOnie's radical, gritty reimagining of Cats. As an artist known for her high-voltage presence on stage, Millie gives us an unfiltered look into what it really takes to strip away forty years of theatrical tradition, trading nostalgia for a grounded aesthetic that frames the Jellicle tribe as London's strays and rebels. We hear her reflect on the delicate art of unearthing fragments of vulnerability within McOnie's rigorous and emotionally exposed choreography. Our conversation explores the physical and psychological realities of performing outdoors under an actual night sky, unpacking the energy exchange between actor and audience while navigating the unpredictable elements of an open-air amphitheatre.In this brand new interview, Millie O'Connell offers an introspective look at a powerhouse career that has seen her move seamlessly from Anne Boleyn in SIX to Cookie in Come Fall in Love. We talk about how her affinity for portraying fierce, complex women in iconic shows like Rent and The Cher Show has shaped her artistic identity, as well as the personal resilience required to navigate a career in musical theatre. Indeed, we also delve into the profound importance of community, reflecting on positive structural shifts in the industry in recent years. It seems like the perfect time for Millie and Demeter to come together and audiences should come expecting Cats unlike they've ever seen before in the magical and jellicle setting of Regent's Park.Cats runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 25 July - 19 September with a UK tour to follow.

“All of them took concepts here and turned it into just this massive expression of queer joy in the time we are living in right now. It doesn't deserve to be seen. It demands to be seen.” This episode features Jordan Stefanski, a devoted Cats: The Jellicle Ball fan who has seen the show over 50 times. Jordan comes on the show to discuss how his CATS journey began with the 2019 movie and later shifted after hearing about the ballroom concept through a friend involved in early workshops. Jordan explains why he repeats shows like A Strange Loop and Oh, Mary and his philosophy of bringing friends by buying tickets. Jordan then dives into how The Jellicle Ball's queer joy, audience immersion, and evolving details reward repeat visits. He shares favorite places to sit (especially boxes), highlights DJ Griddlebone and Junior LaBeija's presence, and praises swings and dance captains. An episode of true fandom and patron of the arts. 02:06 Surviving the 2019 Movie 04:34 Discovering Cats: The Jellicle Ball 08:50 Why He Keeps Returning 19:07 Hidden Details and Character Choices 21:10 Best Seats 28:35 Swings and Standout Moments 38:40 Rapid Fire Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, The Real Housewives of Orange County officially turned 20 years old this year (almost legal drinking age!) so I reflect a bit on that, I lamented the Lemonade Stand inflation rate, and we recap our holiday weekends on our respective beaches & the CNN Independence Eve Special. Plus, I'm gearing up for my Broadway show (okay, minor appearance in) "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" and I'm stressing over alleged on-stage intimacy (I'm taken, okay?!). And of course we had thoughts on Taylor & Travis' understated nuptials, debated if John should have kids or not, and I took the kids to see "Toy Story 5"...and cried. For more interviews and behind-the-scenes tea, tune in to Andy Cohen Live weekdays on Radio Andy by subscribing to SiriusXM. Use my link https://sxm.app.link/AndyCohen for a free trial! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Daddy Diaries ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was recently announced that CATS: The Jellicle Ball, the groundbreaking, award-winning revival of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, would close early on Broadway.The production, playing until early August at the Broadhurst Theatre, was the best reviewed musical of the Broadway season and won multiple Tony Awards for its creative team, though notably not for Best Revival of a Musical.That, however, is not the only factor that played a role in the show's early demise - check out Mickey-Jo thoughts on what went wrong with the Jellicle Ball on Broadway...check out Mickey-Jo's free substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:40 | closing details10:44 | the challenges18:33 | the Tony Awards23:23 | the implications31:14 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gimme My Money, Bitch!, Face Platner, Say Their Names, Nope!, Trump Kiss of Death Takes Another Victim, Jellicle, Seaplane Meet East River, Nolan Wells

Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats. But what the hell are Jellicle Cats? Why do we have to meet so many of them? Why did Andrew Lloyd Webber decide that a collection of T.S. Eliot poems for children was a solid basis for a musical? Why was everyone so adamant that it had to be adapted into a movie? Why was Tom Hooper deemed the man to do it? Why has he yet to answer for his crimes? Why did we land on ‘digital fur technology'? Why does Rebel Wilson keep unzipping her cat skin? And eating cockroaches with human faces? Why is James Corden allowed to do this? Why is Macavity naked? Why is Cat Taylor Swift so sexy? Why does Judi Dench stare straight into our souls to tell us that a cat is not a dog? WHY ARE WE STILL BEING INTRODUCED TO CATS???None of these questions have answers—by the film, our research or us—but we lightly lose our minds all over again trying to find them. We're joined by returning guest Emily Tatham and first-timer Tom Capon (who have collectively seen the film a dozen times) to reignite the cultural discussion of CATS, Tom Hooper's 2019 abomination that single-handedly opened the gates of Hell. Come with us… if you dare…Follow the podcast on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via socials or email rambinaboutamblin@gmail.com.Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter-Clayton & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.You can listen to The Robert J Hunter band's new single 'Left Me Yet' here: ⁠https://ffm.to/rjhleftmeyet And you buy tickets to their upcoming album launch show on October 10 here: ⁠https://events.talentbanq.com/events/talentbanq/2123808⁠

This week we slide tackle into learning about the infamously bloody 1962 World Cup match between Chile and Italy that was preceded by new goal rules, a warring international press, and the largest earthquake ever recorded. A listener email gives the Ballroom scene a Jellicle twist.Episode Tabs:World Cup stunning moments: The Battle of Santiagohttps://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/04/stunning-moments-no4-battle-of-santiagoListener Tabs:Cats: The Jellicle Ball https://www.broadway.com/shows/cats-the-jellicle-ballEmail your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7aGet 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, everyone is back in the War Room, but David is very tired. Somehow, Supergirl is out this weekend and no one besides Da7e was planning to see it, so Da7e took that bullet for Patches, Katey and David. Then, Katey talks about seeing CATS: The Jellicle Ball, a new take on a “classic” […]

This month on Arts in the City… we soak in the scenery at Wave Hill; go for gold at the American Museum of Natural History; check out a drama program that pairs Holocaust survivors with High School students at Witness Theater; explore the clocks that make NYC tick; and chat with the directors and cast from the Tony Award-winning musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

Elise and Marcelo kick off season three with a Cats Redux. A trip to New York City and Cats: The Jellicle Ball has turned them into full-blown Cats Converts. All hail Old Deuteronomy! Instead of revisiting the nightmarish Cats (2019) movie, on this episode, Elise and Marcelo discuss the seminal documentary Paris is Burning (1990) to prepare for the ball. This fall they'll officially begin season three with Fiddler on the Roof, it's their TRADITION, after all.

Send us Fan MailSeason 17 of TGTPTU calls a wrap on its third of four directors in its 4x4 this week with Ron Howard's THE DA VINCI CODE (2006).   Starring Tom Hanks, father of musician and male model Chet Hanks but also known for leading roles in such earlier Howard films not covered on this podcast as Splash (1984) and Apollo 13 (1995), with a grotesque haircut as supersleuth symbiologist Robert Langdon from Dan Brown's 2003 best-selling page-turner of the same name, the movie is a bunch of nonsense that got some Catholics upset for suggesting Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the disputed son of a disputed desert deity, had children, likely through consensual intercourse unlike the legend of his siring. Howard's The Da Vinci Code also has great French actors used poorly in this flick mostly set in France and at least one Jellicle cat, one Sony Spiderman villain, and one Avenger (MCU, not BBC) actor of British lineage to help out the American Langdon in his quest for an ultimate truth that could rock the world to its core assuming it's not flat (see Revelation 7:1 and Isaiah 11:12, ya heathens).   Holy host Ryan goes above and beyond in his research for this ep; the son Jack passes the season's assignment; the father Ken is unimpressed by the chase scenes; and Doubting Thomas in real time processes that the female lead is the same actress as the titular Amélie (2001).  If you like anagrams and unstimulating action sequences, this might be the movie for you.    Skcus eivom siht.   P.S. You know that I am Opus Dei.  THEME SONG BY: WEIRD A.I.Email: thegoodthepodandtheugly@gmail.comFacebook: https://m.facebook.com/TGTPTUInstagram: https://instagram.com/thegoodthepodandtheugly?igshid=um92md09kjg0Bluesky: @goodpodugly.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6mI2plrgJu-TB95bbJCW-gLetterboxd (follow us!):Podcast: goodpoduglyKen: Ken KoralRyan: Ryan Tobias

Happy Pride Month!  This week on Getting Better, we're heading backstage on Broadway for a dazzling deep dive into the artistry, creativity, and sheer magic that brings iconic productions to life. Jonathan sits down with the Hair & Makeup team behind the 9-Time Tony Nominated production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball: Makeup Designer Rania Zohny & Tony Award Winning Hair Designer, Nikiya Mathis. Together, they unpack the intricate process of designing for the stage - from creating unforgettable character transformations to building wigs and makeup looks that can withstand eight shows a week. Plus, they take us behind the curtain of the iconic “Memory” transformation and share what it really takes to create Broadway magic night after night. Whether you're a theatre kid, a beauty lover, or just someone who appreciates a fabulous transformation, this episode is serving artistry, history, and a whole lot of Pride. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.  Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Instagram @catsjellicleball Follow Nikiya Mathis on Instagram @nikiyamathis   Follow Rania Zohny @raniasmakeup  Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tony Awards often celebrate the names on a show poster, but every Broadway production is carried by countless artists whose work rarely fits neatly into a category. So in anticipation of this year's awards ceremony, we're spotlighting a few of the performers, collaborators, and creative forces behind nominated productions. Victor Vazquez has spent his career expanding the possibilities of who gets seen onstage and whose stories Broadway embraces. As the founder of X Casting and casting director for CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Victor has helped build one of the most joyful, original, and culturally electric productions of the season from the ground up.  In this conversation, Victor offers a rare look inside the audition room, reflects on what it means to bring Ballroom culture into the spotlight with care and authenticity, and discusses why he remains hopeful about the future of theater and the artists shaping it. —— LINKS CATS: The Jellicle Ball: https://catsthejellicleball.com/ X Casting: https://www.xcastingnyc.com/ The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa

“Ballroom has been one of the most important pieces of my life so far.” This episode features Kendall Grayson Stroud who is a swing in Broadway's Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Kendall joined the earliest 2022 workshop, performed as Electra at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, and is now a swing covering 10 characters. Kendall describes going into the project with no prior CATS knowledge and only a small introduction to ballroom, then receiving ballroom briefings that kept the production rooted in the community. They discuss developing Electra's story, the shift to Broadway, and the demands of covering 10 roles, where improvisation and adaptability are essential. 01:46 Audition Story 04:35 Workshop Chaos And Ballroom Briefings 07:20 Building Electra At the PAC 10:25 Swing Tracks And Broadway Debut 17:49 Transfer To Broadway 21:12 Joining The Ballroom Community 29:41 Dream Judges 35:15 Rapid Fire Check out Kendall on Instagram: @kendallstroud Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'The View' co-hosts question reports that the Justice Department is launching a probe into E. Jean Carroll's deposition, years after a jury found President Trump liable for sexual abuse, raising new concerns about accountability and the timing of the investigation. RuPaul joins the show with a message of joy, sharing why his wild new comedy 'Stop! That! Train!' is the perfect antidote to the current moment and how humor can help people push through challenging times. Plus, Broadway meets the runway as the nine‑time Tony‑nominated revival 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' takes the stage for a special performance on 'The View'!

"I have a dream that Skimbleshanks, as a representative of the MTA, is able to have a sit down with Zohran Mamdani to talk about the MTA fares.” This episode welcomes back the wonderful Emma Sofia for her third appearance on the show to discuss transferring Cats: The Jellicle Ball from the Perelman Arts Center to the Broadhurst Theatre, including how they adapted the PAC's long runway into a proscenium space with tiers, onstage seating, boxes, and continued audience immersion. Emma explains how she maintains Cassandra's boundaryless audience interaction, where Cassandra and Skimbleshanks tend to play in the house, and how the team expanded relationships and ballroom “family tree” lore. Emma talks about cast/story tweaks such as Leiomy as Macavity, Emma receiving the Legacy Robe, the pace of Tony season, and standout promo moments like Miscast and an upcoming MTA Sessions Skimbleshanks collaboration. 01:34 Broadway Transfer 04:00 Designing Immersion at Broadhurst 07:05 Cassandra Crowd Work 16:52 Legacy Robe 22:59 Miscast Experience 30:44 Dream Collabs 33:09 Award Season 40:03 Rapid Fire Check out Emma on Instagram: @emmasofiaokay Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats! Put on your best spandex leotard and get ready to prowl because we're chatting with comedian, writer and musical lover, Brandon Hackett about the world's first mega musical: CATS! Get ready for library cassette rentals, T.S. Elliott, leg warmers, the actual translation of 'jellicle', the failures (and successes!) of the movie adaptation, and why Cats is both the gayest and horniest musical ever committed to the stage. Plus, we decide which fictional cats go to the heavy side lair and which ones die in a ditch. The Fandom Show Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and you can also watch on The From Superheroes YouTube Channel Want to learn more about this as well as all our episodes, and get access to even more fandom? Check us out at Patreon.com/TheFandomShow Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes

Matt reviews the original Broadway production of ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ Patreon: BroadwayRadiohttps://www.patreon.com/broadwayradio For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name. To purchase tickets to see the show, click here:https://catsthejellicleball.com/

The stars of Broadway's nine-time Tony-nominated musical ‘CATS: The Jellicle Ball'  join All Of It with Alison Stewart live in The Greene Space at WNYC. Enjoy live performances from the show's stars, including André de Shields and Tempress Chastity Moore, and hear from co-directors Bill Rauch and Zhailon Levingston as well as co-choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons about bringing ballroom to Broadway in this celebrated revival. This event is part of All Of It's Broadway on the Radio series.  Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; From the back: Leiomy as ‘Macavity,' Kya Azeen as ‘Etcetera,' and Dava Huesca as ‘Rumpleteazer' from CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Junior does not have an agent or a manager. Junior has a community in front of him and we had to move through that in order to get the call.” This episode features the casting directors of Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” Victor Vazquez and Sujotta Pace of X Casting talking about casting the show from early workshops through the PAC run and to Broadway. They discuss their personal introductions to CATS, receiving the initial “ballroom CATS” pitch, and how evolving workshops shaped everything about the show. They describe prioritizing the ballroom community through dedicated open calls, using community networks to reach artists without traditional representation, and the challenges of assembling an ensemble while honoring CATS legacy. Enjoy this deep dive into the creative process and the intricacies of the show. 02:31 The Ballroom CATS Pitch 04:56 Writing the Viral Casting Call 07:34 Workshops and Role Discoveries 09:43 Finding Stars and Ballroom Legends 32:40 Casting For Representation 41:48 Honoring Elders Legacy 45:13 Icons Leading The Company 48:20 Rapid Fire Check out X Casting on Instagram: @xcastingnyc Check out Victor on Instagram: @victorvictorv Check out Sujotta on Instagram: @sujotta Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with another Broadway episode!Andrew Tomlins (West End Frame Editor) is back from New York City, and reunited with regular co-host Lisa Martland (Editor of Musical Theatre Review).In this episode, they discuss Chess (Imperial Theatre), Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(New World Stages), Wicked (Gershwin Theatre) and Death Becomes Her (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre).Having spent many years at The Stage – including five years as Deputy Editor – Lisa Martland is a theatre journalist who has worked for theatrical publications such as Musical Stages, Musicals Magazine, London Theatre, Stage Faves and My Theatre Mates. She is the Founding Editor of www.MusicalTheatreReview.com.That's a wrap on our three Broadway episodes for this season! This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening!Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I think that the magic that MCs create and where they're able to activate someone. I think that's a gift and it's really incredible.”” This episode features Dudney Joseph Jr. who is currently performing as Munkustrap in Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre. Dudney shares his first exposure to CATS via VHS in Buffalo, roles he once imagined playing, and how the production grew through workshops into a Broadway transfer. Dudney explains blending musical theater narration with ballroom MC responsibilities, learning to “take up space,” and developing the Legend Statements and Stars (LSS) curtain-call chants, an idea he voice-noted to Zhailon after the Lincoln Center workshop, then built under tight timing at the PAC before it went viral. He discusses changes from the PAC to Broadway, collaborating with creatives to honor both Cats' legacy and ballroom culture, and working alongside ballroom icons like Junior LaBeija and Leiomy, including how they supported and informed his performance. Dudney also created a custom “Wrong Cat Died” chant for a podcast curtain call. 01:00 Introduction to CATS 04:26 Jellicle Ball Workshops 07:01 Building Munkustrap as MC 11:12 Creating the Curtain Call Chants 23:19 From PAC to Broadway 28:45 Ballroom Meets CATS 38:11 Why You Should Go 44:00 Rapid Fire Check out Dudney on Instagram: ⁠@dudney_jr Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After wowing audiences downtown a couple of summers ago, Cats: the Jellicle Ball is back, this time at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre where it opened earlier this month.The production relocates the action of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS within the context of ballroom culture, and infuses the iconic material, with vibrant, queer, new energy.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show's Broadway transfer, additional company members, and connection to the original material...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter: www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:32 | this production12:40 | creative choices 24:26 | performances32:00 | conclusionAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a Dom and Steph episode this week, and we had some decent topics. It was a light week, so we talked about some of the shows Steph has been seeing, like Titus Andronicus and the Jellicle Ball. Also, the Onion is making interesting moves, and Dom saw a neat anime. Trigger warning around the 27 minute mark of assault. Check it out! Explicit language on this one. "Love Everlasting" (DDRKirby(ISQ) - https://http://ocremix.org/) Find the show on iTunes, Google Play Podcasts, Spotify, and Simplecast.fm Find the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6QoHk8iEsVGTpd2qdTlH-g Follow us @CharacterReveal on Bluesky, Instagram, and on Facebook! Dom is @brothadom on Bluesky, tweets, tumbles and generally on the net Steph is @captainsteph on Bluesky and Twitter, @hella_steph on Instagram, and @thesnowqueer on Tumblr Eric is @TindiLosi on some places on the internet as a whole, like Bluesky Find everything at: https://linktr.ee/characterreveal

“You have to see it. It's one of those things that if you miss it, you've missed a cultural moment in time.”  This episode features the incredible Ken Ard who originated the roles of Macavity, Plato, and the Rumpus Cat in the original Broadway production of CATS and is currently performing as DJ Griddlebone in CATS: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre. Ken shares his experience hearing the West End cast album, auditioning as a gymnast-singer-dancer, and developing Macavity as a chaotic street cat without the fan-made “family tree” lore, while learning in rehearsal through acting exercises alongside Betty Buckley. He describes the dangerous Rumpus Cat star-trap floor stunt, a knee injury during the original run, and meeting celebrities backstage. Ken dives into how The Jellicle Ball's ballroom setting makes CATS clearer and emotionally resonant for a new era, his audition path into the expanded DJ Griddlebone role, and why skeptics and even CATS haters should see this reinvention, praising key performances and the production's inclusive cast and culture. 01:05 Auditioning for CATS 03:25 Creating Macavity 05:05 CATS Lore vs Reality 09:16 Rumpus Cat Trapdoor 13:05 Original Run Memories 21:33 Becoming DJ Grizabella 28:31 Ballroom Meets Broadway 33:54 Standout Moments 44:53 Rapid Fire Check out Ken on Instagram: @thekennethard Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Dads and Daddies 100th episode! Judson and Brian reminisce about the days before they were open to the idea of non-monogamy. They attend the LGBTQ Community Center of New York's annual fundraising gala. The Hookup of the Week comes from a listener who shares the details of a recent session with a regular of more than a decade that he describes as being one of his best hookups ever. Brian and Judson are then joined by the sexiest cat on Broadway, Cats: The Jellicle Ball's Rum Tum Tugger himself, Sydney James Harcourt! Sydney talks about his journey from a childhood in Michigan spent hiding in the closet, feeling unattractive, uncool, unmanly and seeking comfort in food, to moving to New York and feeling othered as a minority man in the mainstream gay scene, to the person he is today exuding sex and confidence on a Broadway stage eight times a week. He tells them about the role that connections and community played in his transformation, how he found the sexiness of Rum Tum Tugger, and about how “Realness,” Tugger's ballroom category that showcases a person's ability to pass as straight, is, at its core, a trauma response to homophobia. Sydney gets even more personal and talks about some of the various reasons he likes to have sex, the demise of finding hookups on Craig's List, his “mad, passionate lust affair” with Andy Cohen, why we should have sex with the straight men on the apps, and his preference for faceless Grindr profiles. Sydney then joins Brian and Judson in responding to a Go Ask Your Dad question from a listener in his 30s who is newly out of the closet and wants to know what the three consider must-have experiences for a gay man. Find Sydney James Harcourt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sydneyharcourt/  Check out Austin Naked Yoga camp to join Judson for his “Dial into Daddy” workship at https://www.nakedyogacamp.com/  Email your Hookup of the Week, Go Ask Your Dad and Dr. Daddy submissions to dadsanddaddies@gmail.com Dads and Daddies on the Web: https://www.dadsanddaddies.com/ Dads and Daddies on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadsanddaddiespod Dads and Daddies on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dadsanddaddiespod Dads and Daddies on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dadsanddaddiespod.bsky.social Your hosts, Dad Brian Rubin-Sowers - https://www.instagram.com/ditmasparkpapa and Daddy Judson Morrow - https://www.instagram.com/gunclejudson Edited by Toby Rubin-Sowers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball is now open on Broadway! It's a new telling of the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but set in the world of Ballroom. On this episode, Paul Wontorek chats with three legit legends - Junior Labeija, a legend of ballroom. Ken Ard, an original Cats legend. And André De Shields, a true Broadway legend.

“I felt like it was finally something that came to fruition for me. I'm about to go to the theater and see a trans woman on stage and also in my favorite show.” This episode features actress and activist sis thee doll who is a longtime CATS fan. Hear sis share how her connection began with the CATS video trailer on Barney's Great Adventure and later deepened through school speech competitions using T.S. Eliot's poems and seeing the 2016 revival live. She discusses first hearing about The Jellicle Ball and auditioning in summer 2023, describes attending early previews at PAC NYC on Juneteenth 2024, and shares how the show's impact as a milestone for trans, especially Black trans women, and the ballroom community on Broadway. This is an episode made for both CATS devotees and Jellicle newcomers. 00:57 Becoming a CATS Fan 06:31 Hearing About The Jellicle Ball 08:39 Audition Story and Dream Roles 11:21 First Night at PAC 25:49 Friends Debuts 30:56 Broadway Representation 41:03 Why This Production Matters 41:53 Rapid Fire Check out sis on Social Media: @ucancallmesis Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Filichia, James Marino, Michael Portantiere, and Carey Purcell talk about Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Becky Shaw, Titanique, 1776 @ Papermill, Death of a Salesman, Giant, and Dog Day Afternoon. “This Week on Broadway” has been coming to you every week since 2009. It is the longest-running running Broadway and read more

We were honored to be invited to cover the Gold Carpet for the opening night of the highly anticipated production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball with VIPs from the film, TV, and Broadway industries along with the cast and creative team from the production. Hear us discuss the excitement for the opening night, changes from downtown to Broadway, and which Jellicle cat each celebrity would want to play. Featuring (in order): Co-Directors Zhailon Levingston & Bill Rauch, Associate Director Cooper Howell, Co-Choreographers Omari Wiles & Arturo Lyons, Costume Designer Qween Jean, Junior LaBeija, Leiomy, Ken Ard, Sherrod T. Brown, Garnet Williams, Bebe Nicole Simpson, Kalyn West, Jonathan Burke, Baby Byrne, Dudney Joseph Jr., Emma Sofia, Sydney James Harcourt, Nora Schell, Robert “Silk” Mason, Betty Buckley, Jacob Brent, Kevin Cahoon, Todrick Hall, Jess Val Ortiz, Lea DeLaria, LaChanze, Marti Gould Cummings, Jenn Colella, Olivia Lux, and Vanity LaVain. About the Production: Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” is a radical reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical based on T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, inspired by the Ballroom culture that roared out of New York City over 50 years ago and still rages around the world. Staged as a spectacularly immersive competition by Zhailon Levingston and Artistic Director Bill Rauch. Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt goes through the reviews for ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ on Broadway and the grosses for the week ending April 5, 2026 Patreon: BroadwayRadiohttps://www.patreon.com/broadwayradio For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name. 1) Check out the reviews for ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ on Broadwayhttps://didtheylikeit.com/shows/cats-the-jellicle-ball/ 2) read more

In this episode of Half Hour, we discuss Cats: The Jellicle Ball, now running at the Broadhurst Theatre. Blending ballroom culture with Broadway tradition, this reimagined production turns a theatrical classic into a full-scale celebration of movement, identity, and joy. We dive into what makes this version feel alive… from the creative team's concept to standout cast performances and the vibrant design. We also reflect on how the Broadway transfer expands on the Off-Broadway production's energy and audience connection. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this production in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Rocca has three conversations with the stars, directors and dancers involved with "Cats: The Jellicle Ball." Part 1 (the stars): Tony Award-winner André De Shields, Ken Ard, Junior LaBeija and Leiomy. Part 2 (directors): Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch Part 3: Mo learns some tricks from the dancers in "Cats: The Jellicle Ball." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I think the premise is clear. They have to compete. For their life. I really don't know why either.” This episode features Nina White (Kimberly Akimbo, The Queen of Versailles) who is currently appearing at the Cherry Lane Theater in You Got Older. Nina comes on the show to discuss her strong pro-CATS opinions and why she thinks much of the show's hate is unfounded. Nina shares seeing the tour in Detroit, the characters she gravitated toward, and which role she'd want today, plus thoughts on the CATS: The Jellicle Ball revival and her desire to play Skimbleshanks there. The discussion pivots to You Got Older, as Nina explains the play's story about a woman returning home during her father's cancer treatment and its themes of family, presence, and authentic sibling dynamics, including how personal it is to playwright Clare Barron. They end with rapid-fire CATS questions, debate the Jellicle choice, and share how to follow Nina and see the show. 02:14 First CATS Memory 05:24 Dream CATS Roles 15:11 Skimbleshanks Obsession 17:30 You Got Older 20:17 Why the Play Hits Home 34:49 Starlight Express Discussion 37:18 Rapid Fire Check out Nina on Instagram: @iamninawhite Check out You Got Older: cherrylanetheatre.org/shows/ygo Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Moriarty talks with Emma Tsurkov, who recounts her harrowing efforts to win the release of her sister Elizabeth, who was held captive by a terrorist group in Iraq for 903 days. Gayle King, co-host of CBS MORNINGS, has an exclusive sit-down with NBA great Michael Jordan, who opens up about making his mark as co-owner of the record-setting NASCAR team 23XI, his career and more. King also talks with Jordan's team co-owner and veteran driver, Denny Hamlin, and their team drivers, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, about working with Jordan and his impact on the sport of stock car racing. Mo Rocca heads to Broadway for a preview of the new musical “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a re-imagining of the blockbuster “Cats.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It was  very important to us that we figure out how to do this in a proscenium house because we want to bring this work to as many people as we can." This episode features Rachel Hauck who is the Scenic Designer for CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Rachel came to discuss the set and stage design at the Broadhurst Theatre sharing her first experience seeing CATS on tour in Los Angeles, what it was like being part of the project early on, and the research and collaboration required to merge Broadway and ballroom culture on stage. We discuss the challenges of designing an immersive runway environment at the PAC, audience sightlines and seating variety, and teased a few fun elements you can expect to see in the theatre. 01:14 Rachel's CATS Origin Story 07:20 Designing PAC's Immersive Space 12:04 Building the Broadway Runway 19:10 What Changes on Broadway 24:45 Set Surprises 32:07 Accessibility and Community Reach 32:55 Rapid Fire Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Brian continue Musical Decades Month with a look at two musicals written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Join as they discuss the influential and divisive career of Webber, his style and cinematic approach to stage production, and his legacy. Then, they discuss their own relationships with Phantom of the Opera, its contradictory view of romance, its high and low points as a story, and whether we'd want to live in a subterranean cave. Lastly, they give themselves a headache trying to make head or tail of the upsetting nonsense of the much-maligned Cats from 2019; Dan explains his philosophy on pets while Brian reveals a formative Cats-related moment in his life. Jellicle podcast episode for Jellicle movies. Dan's movie reviews: http://thegoodsreviews.com/ Subscribe, join the Discord, and find us on Letterboxd: http://thegoodsfilmpodcast.com/

From The Vault: Originally released on June 28, 2024, this was episode 172 with "Robert "Silk" Mason who was the magical Mr. Mistoffelees in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026! "All of us have talked about how our characters are us, who we are in life." This episode features Robert "Silk" Mason who plays the magical Mr. Mistoffelees in the production. Hear Silk discuss their experience learninig about CATS, how they bring their personality into the dance numbers, and where Mr. Mistoffelees would fit in the ballroom community. Plus, Silk shares some details on how the Mr. Mistoffelees/Rum Tum Tugger relationship builds in this production. Check out Silk on Social Media: @_robertsilkmason_ Check out Silk's Haus: @theroyalhausofsilk Check out CATS The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a closer look at the upcoming Spring 2026 Broadway season, highlighting new productions, high-profile revivals, and the casting announcements shaping the conversation. We discuss Daniel Radcliffe leading Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre, Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf returning in Death of a Salesman at the Winter Garden, and the Broadway arrival of Beaches, A New Musical at the Majestic with Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett. The conversation also touches on titles including Dog Day Afternoon, Giant, Becky Shaw, Cats! The Jellicle Ball, The Fear of 13, The Rocky Horror Show, Titanique, Fallen Angels, The Lost Boys, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Balusters, Proof, and Schmigadoon, and how they collectively define this spring's landscape on Broadway. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on these productions in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like I said I would, I want to show you what it's really like to build a Broadway show. Not the opening night photos, the red carpet, or the reviews. I'm talking about the early days. The first speeches. The moment when everyone realizes what they've actually signed up for.On the first day of Cats: The Jellicle Ball at New 42 Studios, we had our official meet and greet. The cast, creative team, and producers all came together for the first time. The energy was high. It was great to see many of the same cast and band members from our time at the Perelman Arts Center near the World Trade Center. There was a sense of history, but also a feeling that something bigger was about to happen.During the meet-and-greet, Matthew Harrison stood up and read a letter he had written to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Matthew is part of Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the producing team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Michael Harrison. He's spent his whole life around big productions. He's not someone who gets impressed easily.Then he said something that made everyone pause and pay attention.“In nearly 40 years of theatre going, I have never experienced a reaction from an audience like it.”He talked about sitting in the audience and watching the people around him. There was a 19-year-old nearby, two men in their 50s, a straight couple on a date, a couple in their 60s with their 20-year-old son, and a group of young women who see every Broadway show. People of different ages and backgrounds, but everyone reacted the same way.People were pointing at the stage, crying, then cheering. They sang “Jellicle Cats” as if it were their own anthem. Some got out of their seats because they couldn't contain themselves. He counted five standing ovations during the show. Not just at the end, but throughout.He also admitted that he used to roll his eyes when people called the theater a religious experience. He never believed that before. But that night, he understood it.This wasn't just marketing. He was trying to describe something that truly surprised him.I felt something similar the night I took a night off from playing the show downtown and watched it from the audience. I thought it was fantastic. Seriously. I was cheering like everyone else in the audience, and I was part of the rehearsal process before. But seeing it in full bloom was really special. I never liked the original Cats, but this version makes sense.Matthew put it simply. This isn't just a revival. It's a reinvention. It feels new, like Cats is the most relevant musical in New York right now.If you want to work on Broadway, you need to understand this part of the process. Big moments don't just happen. They start with conviction in a rehearsal studio, long before critics arrive. They begin with producers willing to take risks and artists giving their all before anyone knows how the show will turn out.Sitting there on day one and hearing those words, I felt the weight of it all. It was motivating and grounding. Once the speeches are over, the real work starts: long days, lots of details, adjustments, repetition, and precision.That was just the beginning of week one. We're in week two now. There's downtime. There are short sections repeated ad nauseam. It's fascinating to watch something take shape in real time.Next, I'll write about the piano vocal book you get on the first day of a Broadway show, especially when there isn't a drum score yet, and what that means for you as a working musician.If you're interested in how Broadway shows are really built, keep following. Share this with anyone who wants to learn about the process. And if you want everything explained step by step, that's why I wrote Broadway Bound and Beyond.You can get it from signaturebrandworks.com or from any other place you buy books online.Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

“Chrissie set it out as this young lion who is about to inherit the throne. The Jellicle throne.” This episode features Sam Brown who is currently performing as Munkustrap on the International Tour of CATS. Sam shares his journey with the musical, from first discovering it as a child to joining the cast on tour. He dives into the unique storytelling and choreography challenges, the enriching rehearsal process, and the profound influence of director Chrissie Cartwright. Sam also offers a behind-the-scenes look at performing in different countries and the universal appeal of CATS. Listen in as he discusses his thoughts on the show's iconic characters, memorable moments, and who he believes should be the rightful Jellicle choice. 03:16 First Experience Watching Cats Live 04:40 Joining the International Tour 08:26 Rehearsal Process and Character Development 19:55 Audience Reactions and Cultural Differences 25:35 Memorable Moments and Funny Stories 31:54 The Power of Memory 33:21 Rapid Fire Check out Sam on Instagram: @sam_brown_ Check out the International Tour of CATS: ⁠⁠⁠tour.catsthemusical.com⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From The Vault: Originally released on June 25, 2024, this was episode 171 with "Tempress" Chasity Moore who was Grizabella in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and Tempress will be Grizabella! "When we were building, the connection between us (Macavity & Grizabella) was that he used to be in the House of Glamour at one time." This episode features "Tempress" Chasity Moore who plays Grizabella in the production. Hear Chasity discuss her experience being back on stage, how she's tackling Memory each night, and a dive into the ballroom history as the founding mother of her own house. Plus, Tempress shares a fun ballroom character aspect their production has between her and Macavity. Check out Tempress on Instagram: @i_am_tempress Check out Tempress' podcast on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FQCrazySexyCool Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From The Vault: Originally released on September 3, 2024, this was episode 184 with André De Shields who was Old Deuteronomy in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and André will be Old Deuteronomy! "A theater is a temple. This is the fourth institution where the five necessary questions are answered. You have to answer a question. You have to resolve a crisis. You have to lift a burden. You have to break a yoke. Take that albatross off the neck of the people who have come for redemption. That's why we come and sit in a dark place with strangers. It's a kind of atonement, right?" This episode features André De Shields who plays Old Deuteronomy in this production. Hear André share his thoughts on the production, how he created his character, and how he views the story of CATS. Plus, André gives a passionate defense for why Grizabella has to be the Jellicle choice in this production. Check out André on Instagram: @andre_deshields Check out André on YouTube: @andre_deshields Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I was involved basically since the very first workshop. I was the original Rum Tum Tugger.” This episode features Cooper Howell who was an Associate Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center's reimagined production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball and will be continuing the role during the Broadway Transfer. Cooper shares their unique journey from their first Broadway show experience in the first grade to becoming a pivotal figure in the CATS production. Discover their personal connection to the show, their transition from actor to director, and the exciting elements of the new production. Don't miss this in-depth conversation about theater, creativity, and the transformative power of love. 00:51 Cooper's First Encounter with CATS 15:17 Transition from Actor to Director 21:46 Role of an Associate Director 25:04 Changes for the Broadway Stage 32:52 Guest Judges and Iconic Hosts 38:06 Rapid Fire Check out Cooper on Social Media: @thecooperhowell Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com Produced by: ⁠Alan Seales⁠ & ⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠ Social Media: @⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Holiday week everyone! This week we're visiting the Pop Mystery vault for a look at “Cats” an absurd show that really keeps giving. Highly recommend the movie version for that post-meal fever dream period if your Friendsgivign is cool. “Cats” is a musical so ridiculous that it often drives people to anger. So why has this absurd show made so much money, and how does it keep taunting us all with its reemergence into culture? Jellicle journalist, comic, and pop culture junkie Tess Barker is on the case. Featuring interviews with actress Sara Jean Ford (On Broadway: “Phantom of the Opera; “Finian's Rainbow;” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying;” “Cats:” ) and musicologist and dramaturg Dr. Lynda Paul (professor, Yale University; PhD music history/ethnomusicology/performance studies). Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.Abigail Keel was a consulting producer on this episode. Special thanks to voice actors Sean Green and Babs Gray. Clearance Counsel is Dale Nelson and Jacqueline Swett at Donaldson Callif Perez, LLPSupport independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPodFollow Tess's other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From The Vault: Originally released on May 10, 2024, this was a bonus episode with CATS: The Jellicle Ball Creative Team ft. Zhailon Levingston, Bill Rauch, & William Waldrop. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026! "What overtly having categories does dramaturgy of CATS itself is that there is a particular outcome of winner or loser that happens at the end of every song." This bonus episode features the creative team of the Perelman Performing Arts Center reimagined production of CATS set in a ballroom which is appropriately titled: "CATS: The Jellicle Ball". Like me, many of you have been obsessing over this new production. I originally spoke with one of the directors Bill Rauch in July of 2022 when I first got wind of this potential new production which was just a reading at the time and the PAC wasn't even open yet. Nearly 2 years later, I'm joined by directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch as well as music supervisor William Waldrop to discuss what you can expect from this new production. We recorded this episode two days before the team started rehearsals and discussed how this incredible production is being brought to life. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Check out Zhailon on Instagram: @zhailon Check out PAC on Instagram: @pac_nyc Check out PAC's website: pacnyc.org Produced by: ⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices