To celebrate the 10th anniversary of BroadwayCon, we hosted a panel with the cast and creative of Cats “The Jellicle Ball” discussing their historic production. We were joined by director Bill Rauch along with Sydney James Harcourt, Dudney Joseph Jr., and Robert “Silk” Mason from the cast.

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.

“I have rarely seen an audience respond with as much joy and love as I saw recently at Cats: ‘The Jellicle Ball’. The atmosphere was, quite simply, electric. Cats and Ballroom culture both emerged in the same era and I am delighted that, all these years later, they are intersecting once again. I want to congratulate the entire team behind this special show!”

– Andrew Lloyd Webber

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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From The Vault: Originally released on July 29, 2021, this was Episode 53 with Melody Rose who was Tantomile on the US National Tour 6 of CATS.

"I had a little plush Mistoffelees when I was younger." This episode features Melody Rose who played Tantomile in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Melody discuss how she was a CATS fanatic growing up, share the backstory of the Twins, and gives her defense for why Gus should be the Jellicle choice. Plus, Melody humors me by discussing her thoughts on next year's Jellicle Ball.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"By the end of her spiel, I was like, I still have no idea what this show is about." This episode features Zach Raffio who is the founder of a theater satire website called The Broadway Beat. Hear Zach share his experience with CATS junior, how he created The Broadway Beat, and some good advice for aspiring satire writers. Plus, Zach and Mike pick which NBA player would be which CATS character.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"If we went on together, they would announce that the ‘Flying Lubecks’ were on." This episode features Chuck and Mickey Lubeck who were swings and dance captains on the US National Tour 4 of CATS for many years. Hear about how they met before tour, grew their family on tour, and all kinds of fun memories from their time in CATS. Plus, there is a fun connection with their son who also performed in CATS with previous guests of the podcast.

• Check out Mickey's Website: onwiththeshow.biz

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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From The Vault: Originally released on March 9, 2021, this was Episode 37 with Colin Cunliffe who was Skimbleshanks in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS.

"We have a lot to talk about Mike because I listened to your Skimble..." This episode features Colin Cunliffe who played Skimbleshanks in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Colin break down all of the things I got wrong in Episode 11 about Skimbleshanks and his experience with the musical. Plus, hear Colin give the first Heaviside argument for Victoria!

• Check out Colin on Instagram: @colin_hollis_shannon

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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From The Vault: Originally released on November 7, 2019, this was Episode 8 with Christopher Gurr who was Gus in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS.

This episode features Christopher Gurr who played Gus and Bustopher Jones during the 2016 Broadway revival. Christopher and Mike discuss the musical, fan theories, and who Christopher thinks is more worthy to die than Grizabella. They also go over why parents should NOT bring children to the show.

• Check out Christopher on Instagram: @christophergurr

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"I see everyone has stars in that room. No one is going to dim your light except for you. You can’t let anyone dim your light." We couldn't get enough of the PAC production so this episode is with Jenny Mollet who was Jellylorum in Perelman Performing Arts Center reimagined production of CATS called CATS: "The Jellicle Ball." Jenny shares her experience with the workshop of CATS before joining the cast on stage, some fun Jellylorum relationships including a romance with Demeter, and why Gus is her Jellicle choice. Plus, Jenny and Mike cast the SIX Queens as CATS.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"I took my family to go see the CATS movie right before Covid. They all said to me ‘that’s going to be the last movie we ever see’ and it’s become a long running family joke." This episode features Jennifer Ashley Tepper who an acclaimed theatre historian, author, and producer, the Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below and the author of “Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out.” Hear Jennifer share some of the history of CATS the musical, how she tackled writing a book during Covid, and her first experience seeing CATS on stage.  

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"Sometimes I look back and I’m like I don’t think I was good enough to do CATS. But I did it. And I was a swing and being a swing on a non-equity tour is kind of like being a traveling mascot people spit on a lot. It was an interesting experience." This episode features Kevin Zak who was a swing on the US National Tour 5 of CATS. Hear Kevin share some incredible stories from his tour including games they used to play, his thoughts on Munkustrap kicking off the show, and how CATS will always be a part of his life. Plus, Kevin shares how his Instagram Heaviside Layer memes have come to life.

• Check out Kevin on Instagram: @kevinjzak

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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From The Vault: Originally released on June 22, 2021, this was Episode 52 with Claire Camp who was a Dance Captain & Swing in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS.

"This show will change your life if you let it." This episode features Claire Camp who was the dance captain and a swing in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Claire explain her deep love for the show, share how she tells her friends which cat she thinks they are, and discuss her regional productions of CATS prior to Broadway. Plus, Claire gives such a passionate defense of Grizabella that she nearly changed my mind on who deserves to die.

• Check out Claire on Instagram: @camp_claire

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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