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“In my head I think Jemima is the daughter of Bombalurina and Macavity.” This episode features Gabrielle Parker who played Jemima on the 2025 International Tour of CATS. Hear Gabrielle share how a ballet background and seeing Cats around age 10 sparked her obsession with the show and her early goal to play Victoria. She recounts auditioning soon after graduating, initially being seen for Rumpleteazer before landing Victoria, and explains how character work begins with the “three words,” including Victoria’s surprising trait of being “unselfconscious.” Gabrielle discusses later playing Jemima on tours through Korea, Taiwan, China, and Europe, including the challenge and audience reaction of singing the opening of “Moonlight” in Korean and Mandarin. She offers personal Jemima backstory theories, reflects on touring culture differences, shares memorable mishaps and emergency cover moments, and reveals she met her husband on CATS, joking about a “white cat curse.” 00:50 First Time Seeing CATS 07:18 Building Victoria and Jemima 12:08 Jemima Backstory  20:20 Singing Moonlight in New Languages 24:33 White Cat Curse Love Story 26:48 CATS Wedding Performance 31:53 Rapid Fire Check out Gabrielle on Instagram: @gabbyparker_ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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

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

“ I went through all these pictures the other day and was crying my eyes out laughing.” This episode features Katie Fairborne who performed as Bombalurina in BYU–Idaho’s 2015 production of CATS, to answer questions sparked by Teresa Jack’s viral social media post. Katie explains how she was a longtime CATS fan recruited to audition because the show needed dancers, and describes how the production toned down the choreography of the show while keeping some story elements like Grizabella’s reincarnation. She details the heavy, layered fur-and-lycra costumes that made the production go viral, the limited archival footage, and the audience reactions. 01:49 CATS Fandom 02:54 Casting Story 12:55 Choreography Changes 21:34 Performances and Reactions 25:23 Costumes and Honor Code 34:05 Rapid Fire Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/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

“ I believe that they were all linked and in sync all of the cats because there's so many parts in the play where it's so evident within the storytelling that they are all in tune with one another immediately.” This episode features Quentin Earl Darrington who played Old Deuteronomy in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS and currently appears as the Phantom in Masquerade. Quentin explains how he had never seen CATS before auditioning and researched recordings and commentary to build the show’s story, then recalls the heavy, hot Old Deuteronomy suit, ice-pack vest, and unexpectedly having to dance with elite performers while also playing an opening-number ensemble cat. He describes shaping Old Deuteronomy through biblical books and viewing the Jellicle Choice as a collective, evolving decision, not predetermined, with Deuteronomy as a servant-leader who never expects to ascend. The conversation shifts to Masquerade’s immersive demands, constant variation, and physical backstage navigation, with Quentin embracing unpredictable audience proximity.  01:20 First Encounter With CATS 03:47 Costume Heat and Survival 04:49 Old Deuteronomy Decision Theology 18:48 Masquerade  27:49 Immersive Show Demands 36:17 Reinventing Classics Today 39:07 Rapid Fire Check out Masquerade on Social Media: @masqueradenyc Check out Masquerade's website: masqueradenyc.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/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

“No one warns anyone before they go into CATS about just how hot the yak hair is.” This episode features Aaron J. Albano who played Skimbleshanks in the 2016 Broadway revival of CATS. Aaron describes first encountering CATS through the Cameron Mackintosh concert “Hey, Mr. Producer,” then trying the filmed version as a teenager and not finishing it due to the show’s non-linear structure. Hear Aaron offer an elevator-pitch explanation of the show, discuss the strong love/hate reactions CATS inspires, including the fans curiosity around Andy Blankenbuehler's revival compared with Gillian Lynne’s original staging, and even the infamous “Stop Cats” flyers that popped up around town before opening night. Aaron shares his experience covering seven tracks including his wild experience going on mid show. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. 01:00 Aaron’s First Taste of CATS 07:52 Getting Cast in the 2016 Revival 11:02 Life as a Swing 21:32 Becoming Full-Time Skimbleshanks 34:52 Being Thrown On Mid-Show 47:23 Rapid Fire Check out Aaron on Instagram: @aaronjalbano Check out Aaron's website: aaronjalbano.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 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

“I think that CATS needs to carry on existing. And when I say this word, I mean it with absolute love. Like a museum piece. It deserves to be preserved.” This episode features longtime CATS performer Gavin Eden who most recently played Skimbleshanks on the International Tour and has worked on productions in Germany, Korea, China, and on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Gavin shares how he first encountered CATS via the 1998 VHS, learning the show in German, and memorable performance moments like going on as Mungojerrie in Act 1 and Mr. Mistoffelees in Act 2. He also dives into his fun onstage improvisational tradition of choosing a different “station master’s daughter” each show as Skimbleshanks. 01:21 First CATS Memory: 1998 VHS, Ballet Roots & Cat Obsessions 06:42 Learning CATS in German 13:33 Character Chemistry 30:28 Global Audience Etiquette 40:21 Onstage War Stories 44:35 Station Master’s Daughters Tradition 49:24 Rapid Fire Check out Gavin on Instagram: @gabitchi Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“CATS The Jellicle Ball was one of the greatest theatrical experiences I’ve ever seen. It had a massive impact on me and made me a fan of CATS.” This episode features PJ Adzima who is known for his role as Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon Musical and recent rise of his production company Stage Time. PJ discusses everything from his hesitation to dive too deep into the CATS world, his Broadway journey, and the innovative shows by Stage Time. Stick around for a fun segment where they try to cast Book of Mormon characters as CATS. Plus, get an insider look at some must-see new works and exciting upcoming projects. An episode you won’t want to miss! 00:42 Broadway Debut 01:36 Diving into CATS 05:33 The Jellicle Ball 14:51 Book of Mormon Journey 22:08 The Secret Sauce of a Good Musical 23:08 Stage Time: The Birth of a Production Company 36:11 Rapid Fire Check out PJ on Social Media: @pjadz Check out Stage Time on Social Media: @stagetimenyc Check out the Slam Frank Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/slamfrank/slam-frank-original-cast-recording Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The Jellicle Ball is a massive dance competition… to prove who’s best to the judge Old Deuteronomy to give them a new life. They are dancing for their lives.” This episode features Cassiel Eatock-Winnik who is currently performing as Victoria in the South Africa touring production of CATS. They discuss Cassiel's journey in musical theater, her unique experiences with the CATS production, and delve into the nuances of character development and performance. Cassiel shares her insights on the competitive nature of the Jellicle Ball, the importance of studying feline behavior for the role, and memorable moments from the show. Tune in for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at this iconic musical. 01:05 Cassiel's Early Exposure to Theater 02:04 Auditioning for Victoria 09:04 Character Relationships and Dynamics 28:23 Audience Reactions and Reflections 36:13 Memorable Moments on Stage 39:00 Rapid Fire Check out Cassiel on Instagram: @cassiel101 Check out the South Africa Tour of CATS: www.andrewlloydwebber.com/show/cats Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There’s always the chance that they can make an announcement of some sort and when that happens, that completely cuts the music in the show. It overrides the singing and everything.” This episode features Savannah DeCrow who recently performed as Grizabella on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas production of CATS. Learn about Savannah's unique journey from college to cruise life, the dynamics of performing in a moving ship, and her perspective on the show. Discover fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, costume mishaps, and what it's like to live and perform on a cruise ship. Also, get a glimpse of Savannah's social media presence where she shares her extraordinary cruise life. Don't miss this intriguing conversation filled with laughs, mishaps, and musical insights! 01:12 Savannah's Journey to CATS 04:00 Choreography and Rehearsals 07:31 Life on a Cruise Ship 16:34 Performing on a Moving Ship 26:00 Grizabella's Relationships and Theories 35:04 Rapid Fire Check out Savannah on Instagram: @savdecrow Check out Savannah on Tik Tok: @savdecrow Check out Savannah's website: Savannahdecrow.com Produced by: ⁠Alan Seales⁠ & ⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠ Social Media: @⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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

“The way I approached this whole production is that I wanted this to be the CATS that 11-year-old Tyler would want to see. If there were kids in the audience, I would capture their attention and maybe have them fall in love with the show in the same way that I did." This episode features Tyler Daddario who was the Director of the 2025 production of CATS at the Broadway Theater of Pitman, New Jersey. Tyler shares his personal and professional journey with CATS, starting from his childhood obsession with a Barney VHS trailer to directing a full-scale production. The episode delves into Tyler's unique approach to storytelling and character development, his rehearsal process, audience reactions, and his special family ties to the show. Tune in to hear fascinating behind-the-scenes insights and Tyler's reflections on what he'd change if he could direct Cats again. 01:24 Tyler's Early Love for CATS 02:31 Basement Productions and Family Involvement 06:04 Transition to Professional Theater 07:39 Directing at the Broadway Theater of Pitman 11:12 Rehearsal Process 23:06 Audience Reactions and Reflections 30:05 Family Trees and Interpretations 32:41 Memorable Moments in Production 37:19 Rapid Fire Check out Tyler's Website: www.tylerdaddario.com Check out Broadway Theatre of Pitman's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebroadwaytheatre.org⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices