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The Wrong Cat Died

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Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
44 reviews
This podcast has
307 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2019/08/31
Latest episode
2026/10/06
Average duration
51 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Check latest episodes from The Wrong Cat Died podcast


Mark van Beelen, Mungojerrie on 2006 Dutch Tour
2026/10/06
“Gillian Lynne’’s version of CATS is very much a ballet. So if you really pay attention to her choreography, you see so many connections of why different cats respond differently to each other.” This episode features Mark van Beelen, who played Mungojerrie and covered Munkustrap in the 2006 Dutch tour of CATS. Mark recalls seeing CATS at age 10 at Amsterdam’s Royal Theatre Carré in an immersive, in-the-round setup that sparked his musical-theater passion, then traces his training at Fontys Dance Academy and learning Cats choreography from original Dutch cast creatives. He shares a standout audition story where he was nearly forgotten for final callbacks, then impressed the team by adapting to a revised Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer song version. The conversation explores CATS’’ evolving choreography, music revisions, and modern licensing that encourages new concepts, including opinions on the 2016 Broadway revival and anticipation for a museum-themed Netherlands production. 00:49 Seeing CATS As A Kid 10:04 Audition Chaos and Callback 14:20 Song Variations 21:23 Why CATS Gets Reimagined 33:22 Building Characters in Rehearsal 39:36 Macavity Scare Story 41:00 Tradition vs New Versions 45:28 Rapid Fire Check out Mark on Instagram: @badass.vegan.unicorn Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From The Vault: Emma Sofia, Skimbleshanks in Cats: The Jellicle Ball & Not Victoria in 2016 CATS
2026/09/29
From The Vault: Originally released on February 10, 2021, this was episode 35 with Emma Sofia discussing her very fun audition story for the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS which was long before her time as Skimbleshanks on Broadway in the Jellicle Ball. "My goal was not to be Victoria; it was just to be an a**hole and wear a white unitard." This episode dives into one of the grandest CATS audition you'll ever hear. Emma Sofia (Caymares), who starred on Broadway as Veruca Salt in the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as Wendy in the original cast of Finding Neverland, discusses her infamous audition and how she always stays true to herself. Check Emma out on ABC's new sitcom Call Your Mother. Check out Emma on Social Media: @emmasofiaokay 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
John Anker Bow, Gus on US National Tour 6 & Mr. Van Daan in Slam Frank
2026/09/22
“In a 4 show weekend, I did Peter, Bustopher, Deuteronomy, Gus, Deuteronomy.” This episode features John Anker Bow who played Gus on the US National Tour 6 of CATS and is returning in Slam Frank: The Musical, opening off-Broadway in October. John recounts first seeing CATS as a child on Broadway and later on VHS, his path from studying English and doing school musicals to working in theater education and auditioning professionally, and how CATS grew on him during a two-year tour shaped by original creative lineage. John then discusses Slam Frank’s satirical, edgy, timely humor, its sold-out downtown run, and its expanded Off-Broadway staging. 02:07 Choosing Theater Career Path 04:42 Auditioning CATS Tour 12:48 CATS Lore 16:08 Choreo Revival Athlete Talk 18:06 Wild Tour Stories 21:18 What To Expect at Slam Frank 40:39 Rapid Fire Check out John on Instagram: @johnankerbow Check out Flop of the Heap Podcast on Instagram: @flopoftheheap Check out Slam Frank The Musical on Social Media: @slamfrankmusical Check out Slam Frank The Musical's website: www.slamfrankmusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Antoine L. Smith, Swing on US National Tour 5 & Berry Gordy in MJ The Musical
2026/09/15
“CATS really showed me how important it was to be a team player and how to take care of each other on stage and off stage as much as you can.” This episode features Antoine L. Smith who was a swing on the US. National Tour 5 of CATS. Hear Antoine discuss his lifelong connection to the show after watching the VHS daily in college and becoming inspired by Ken Page’s Old Deuteronomy. Antoine describes auditioning via open call, joining a brand-new tour cast, and the intense self-driven work required of swings, including felinity coaching and learning multiple tracks like Old Deuteronomy, Bustopher Jones, and Gus. He shares his character backstory for Old Deuteronomy, his belief that Deuteronomy always knows the Jellicle choice, and a memorable mid-show emergency where he had minutes to get into intricate makeup and costume. 00:50 First CATS Obsession 08:29 Old Deuteronomy Backstory 09:48 Jellicle Choice Theory 12:39 Importance of Swings 16:52 Tour Chaos 24:49 Discovering The Jellicle Ball 36:27 Rapid Fire Check out Antoine on Instagram: @antoinelsmith32 Check out MJ The Musical on Social Media: @mjthemusical Check out MJ The Musical's website: newyork.mjthemusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jaydon Vijn, Rum Tum Tugger in 2026 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
2026/09/08
“We have this system that every cat in the show is on a different life out of the nine lives which is a really interesting way of thinking about it.” This episode features Jaydon Vijn who is currently performing as Rum Tum Tugger in Drew McOnie’s reimagined production of CATS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London. Jaydon shares his CATS fandom from dance college, why Tugger was always his dream role, and what the audition process revealed about the production’s choreography. He discusses how the revival feels like a fresh show while honoring the original, including storytelling focus, character “nine lives” backstories, and relationships onstage. Jaydon details Tugger’s dynamics with Bombalurina, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy, and a mentorship-style bond with Mistoffelees, plus his darker, more adult take on Tugger. An episode not to miss. 02:11 Rum Tum Tugger Dream Role 04:18 Reimagining a Classic 10:10 Building a Darker Tugger 11:44 Outdoor Theater Experiences 15:33 Costumes Makeup and New Look 17:44 Tugger’s Relationship Web 25:50 Favorite Show Moments 38:31 Rapid Fire Check out Jaydon on Instagram: @jay.vijn Check out CATS @ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre: openairtheatre.com/production/cats Check out the CATS UK Tour: uktour.catsthemusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Xavier Reyes, Jennyanydots in CATS: The Jellicle Ball
2026/09/01
“The Haus of Dots has the best table at the Ball.” This episode features Xavier Reyes who played Jennyanydots in the Broadway production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Hear Xavier discuss his CATS history, from watching the DVD in Puerto Rico to auditioning for Skimbleshanks and ultimately booking Jennyanydots as a drag mother role. Xavier explains how he blended the original “Gumbie Cat” with extensive ballroom research, vogue classes, and collaboration with castmates, directors, and dramaturgy to marry ballroom and theater while honoring Cats lore. He describes shaping the Haus of Dots as a trophy-winning “empire,” building relationships and developing tension with Macavity via shared house backstory. Xavier reflects on audience reception at the PAC, the transfer to Broadway, improvisational audience interaction, celebrity judges, performing for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and favorite memories from the run. 03:11 Auditioning for Skimbleshanks & Jennyanydots 05:08 Building Jennyanydots 06:49 Researching Ballroom Motherhood 17:29 Haus of Dots 29:08 Broadway Debut 31:19 Audience Improv 40:42 Rapid Fire Check out Xavier on Instagram: @xavireyesactor 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
Cast & Creative, 2026 Boom Theatre's Young Actors Edition of CATS, A Cornish Re-imagining
2026/08/25
“We’re Bombalonzo.” This episode features the cast and creative team (Faith Stansfield and Matty Franklin from the cast and Kirsten Edwards and Marc Taylor from the creative team) from the Boom Theatre in Cornwall, who are performing a Young Actors Edition of CATS inspired by a “Cornish twist.” They discuss their first introductions to Cats, why Boom chose the dance-led show, and how the production reimagines the junkyard as a derelict Cornish harbor with immersive elements like fog and sea scent. Marc outlines three character “tribes” (village cats, mystical moor/legend cats, and pirate/wrecker outsiders), plus costume ideas including Cornish tartan and a tartan-clad Beetle Tattoo. Maddie and Faith explain character-development exercises, relationship choices (including their “Bombalonzo” dynamic), and how they’re adjusting adult themes for a youth cast. 01:21 First Encounters With CATS 06:37 Cornwall Reimagining 11:00 Three Tribes Concept 13:27 Building Characters in Rehearsal 31:02 Designing a Cornish Cats 36:46 Rapid Fire Check out Boom Theatre Instagram: @boom_theatre Check out the Boom Theatre's website: boomtheatre.uk Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Linedy Genao, Host of Entre Acts
2026/08/18
“That organ sound was iconic. I felt like I was transported to a certain time in history.” This episode features Linedy Genao who is currently playing on Broadway as Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby and hosting her new podcast Entre Acts, which is part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Linedy recalls seeing the 2016 revival of CATS while performing in On Your Feet, loving the dancing and music but leaving confused, then later seeing the downtown Jellicle Ball and finally understanding the show. She shares what it was like leading Bad Cinderella, collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and everything involved with that show including the viral spray-paint moment. Now playing Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby, she explains her approach to making Myrtle sympathetic and critiques the double standard in how characters are judged. Linedy also discusses her Broadway Podcast Network show Entre Acts, focusing on the “in-between” periods for artists. 00:59 First Time Seeing CATS 03:11 CATS Revival Vibes 04:06 Broadway Origins Stories 07:46 Working With Andrew Lloyd Webber 09:58 Bad Cinderella 21:53 Playing Myrtle In Gatsby 25:10 Entre Acts Podcast 28:34 Rapid Fire Check out Linedy on Social Media: @linedygenao Check out Entre Acts on Social Media: @entreacts Check out The Great Gatsby on Social Media: @bwaygatsby Check out The Great Gatsby's website: broadwaygatsby.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied *Episode powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be the star for the day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Denise Jastraunig, Swing in German Tent Tour
2026/08/11
“If you show it in your face, people don’t look at your feet.” This episode features Denise Jastraunig who was a swing in CATS on the German Tent Tour and then in the Vienna revival. Denise shares her CATS journey, from first seeing the DVD in school while training as a competitive tennis player to pivoting into musical theater at the age of 16. Denise recounts being unexpectedly invited to audition for the German Tent Tour, moving from a dancer call to the “movers call,” landing her first major job as a swing, and learning tracks with a detailed swing bible. She compares the tent tour’s deeper character workshops with a more time-pressed 2019 Vienna revival, notes production differences like an expanded tap number, and describes going on as Grizabella. She shares onstage mishaps, makeup challenges, and being featured in an Andrew Lloyd Webber Instagram post. 02:07 From Tennis To Theater 08:22 Audition Movers Call 20:45 Swing Life Prep 26:09 First Night Grizabella 31:46 Wild Onstage Stories 34:02 Webber Instagram Shoutout 38:16 Rapid Fire Check out Denise on Instagram: @denise__jastraunig Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Jellicle Tribe: CATS US National Tour 4 Reunion Brunch Discusses Cats: The Jellicle Ball
2026/08/04
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, Holly Cruz, Nancy Melius, Eddie Buffum & Elizabeth Mills, Helen, Lauren, & Steve Watkins, Linda Leonard, General McArthur Hambrick, Daniel Wright, Joyce Chittick, Rosemary Loar, 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
Bebe Nicole Simpson, Demeter in CATS: The Jellicle Ball
2026/07/28
“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
Jordan Stefanski, The Jellicle Patron
2026/07/21
“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
Ryan Jackson, Mistoffelees on US National Tour 5
2026/07/14
“You know when you walk into a conversation and two friends are laughing so hard you start to laugh? You have no idea what they are laughing about but the energy is infectious. I think that the fact this show is utter nonsense, it allows a freedom so then the joy on stage invites the audience in.” This episode features Ryan Jackson who played Mr. Mistoffelees during the early years of the US National Tour 5 of CATS. Hear Ryan discuss his first exposure to the show, rehearsals filled with unwritten lore, and Gillian Lynne’s surprising insights into the choreography. Ryan describes the ensemble-driven fun of touring, including onstage games, the influence of superfans and fan art, and how constant cast changes kept performances fresh. He reflects on the pre-show ritual of applying Cats makeup which helped launch his later career as a makeup supervisor on Broadway. An episode you won’t want to miss. 03:23 Rehearsal Lore 11:14 Keeping It Fresh on Tour 21:15 CATS Makeup to Makeup Career 26:01 Mistoffelees Entrance 29:32 Makeup Career Origins 34:34 Cats: The Jellicle Ball 38:06 Rapid Fire Check out Ryan on Instagram: @thisguysmakeup, @its_ryan_jackson & @thisguysbeauty Check out Death Becomes Her on Social Media: @deathbecomesher Check out Death Becomes Her's website: ⁠⁠deathbecomesher.com⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Leigh Archer, Jennyanydots on 2025 Australian Tour
2026/07/07
“If you’d asked me if I’d be in CATS again, I would have absolutely laughed and said don’t be ridiculous.” This episode features Leigh Archer who played Demeter in Australia in 1994 and recently returned as Jennyanydots on the Australian tour. Leigh recounts first encountering CATS music while dancing in a Sydney football grand final show at age 14, later auditioning and joining an already-running Melbourne cast, where a rehearsal exercise helped her embody Demeter’s fear of Macavity. She describes touring Asia in the ’90s, especially Korea’s rock-concert-level audience reactions, and contrasts them with varied Australian crowds on the recent tour. Leigh shares what it was like re-entering the show many years later, relying on muscle memory, adapting to re-choreographed tap, navigating modern backstage social media fun, and defining character relationships. An episode you won’t want to miss. 04:28 Auditioning for Demeter 11:31 Returning After 30 Years 15:35 Backstage Culture Shift 20:05 Character Relationships 28:17 Tour Memories Then Now 32:14 Modern CATS Fandom 35:20 Rapid Fire Check out Leigh on Instagram: @⁠archer5196 Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Petra Ilse Dam, Bombalurina on Asia Tour
2026/06/30
“That’s the fun part about the show because the connections are not set and you can change them all the time.” This episode features Petra Ilse Dam who performed as Tantomile in the 2019 Vienna Revival of CATS and then as Bombalurina on the International Tour in 2022. Hear about Petra’s path into the show, from initially knowing only a few school numbers to auditioning for the Vienna revival, watching the 1998 DVD after getting the job, and learning the production in German. Petra discusses playing Tantomile, defining the twins as telepathic and moving as one with Coricopat, and using changing onstage connections to build character depth. She dives into her time on the International Tour evolving Bombalurina and the layered relationships she built out for the character. 00:46 First Encounter With CATS 05:15 Finding Tantomile in Rehearsals 09:20 Learning CATS in German 17:14 Onstage Relationships and Lore 27:11 Swing Life Stories 30:11 Prepping Friends & Family for CATS 35:03 Rapid Fire Check out Petra on Instagram: @petrailsedam Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

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4.8 out of 5
44 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
will__h 2023/10/19
Meh-ow
The host slurs words and speak too fast. It also appears he has his own opinions about the guests’ characters and tries to force mythology that simply...
★★★★★
TAnnTann1107 2021/08/10
Meow!! 😻
Love this fun podcast! Having seen Cats both on Broadway and several times on the Oasis of the Seas, I still had no clue as to the relationships, back...
★★★★★
Adaumbelle 2020/08/18
The Purrrfecccttt Listen
This podcast is hilarious! It's the most in-depth, comprehensive discussion you'll ever hear about CATS the Musical! I love how Mike breaks down this ...
★★★★★
Justice for Gus 2020/05/15
Obsessed!
I adore this podcast. It’s so creative and goes into DEPTH for each cat’s personal story. And makes me LOL! 😻
★★★★★
Stevesnyc00 2019/12/25
Great Talk About CATS!
At the airport before a transcontinental flight, I was overcome with a need to hear some talk about the better-than-I-thought-but-still-horrifying fil...
★★★★★
ColumnatedDomino 2019/11/07
He’s right...the wrong cat did die!
Awesome perspective on a musical I’ve always been both baffled and fascinated by as well. Mike provides hilarious and intelligent takes that make this...
★★★★★
rabrams27 2019/10/08
!!!!!
For someone who knows absolutely nothing about Cats and has not seen Cats, this still makes me laugh out loud. Hi cousin Mike!
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