"My favorite word that Grizabella has is ‘indomitable.’ She’s been beaten down and is not afraid to continue to stand back up." This episode features Elise O'Connell who is currently Grizabella on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas productions of CATS. Hear Elise share she performed the T. S. Eliot poems in high school, her introduction to CATS, and some fun stories from the boat. Plus, Elise shares the paragraph the boat shares with the audience before the show that tries to explain the plot of CATS.

• Check out Elise on Instagram: @eliseoconnell

AUDIO NOTE: This episode was recorded with Elise outside while still on cruising on the ship. There are some parts where the audio cuts out or might be difficult to hear. We still wanted to have everyone hear Elise's experience and theories so we decided to release the episode as is.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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" A lot of it was me trying to find a middle point. Most nights I would just pick up someone and have a little dance to them, make the crowd clap for them. Sometimes if there was a kid in the audience, I would give them a little high five. My favorite one was anytime if there was an empty seat in the front row. I would go sit down on that seat and just watch." This episode features Jesse Chidera who played the Rum Tum Tugger on the most recent International Tour of CATS which mostly performed in China. Hear Jesse share some of his fun in the audience Tugger moments, what it was like exploring China, and how the audience reacted to the cast singing Moonlight in Mandarin. Plus, Jesse adds some new theories into the mix for Bustopher Jones and compares CATS to Wicked.

• Check out Jesse on Instagram: @jesse_chid

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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" I conned my way into the Winter Garden on the back of my parents' wedding anniversary so that I got to experience CATS in person." This episode features Robert Bannon who is the host of The Roundtable which is another Broadway Podcast Network show. Hear how Robert conned his way into seeing CATS for the first time, his thoughts on all productions including the 2019 movie and the PAC Cats: "The Jellicle Ball," and how he acquired pieces of the original CATS set. Plus, Robert does a deep dive into his thoughts on Jennifer Hudson's performance in the 2019 CATS movie.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"My name is Alexis. Electra sounds a lot like Alexis. Is that why I got this part?" This episode features Lex Miller who performed as Electra in 2015 Stage Left Children's Theater production CATS. Hear Lex share the craziness of doing the show at such a young age, how their production did the full show for multiple weekends, and some fun things she learned long about the characters long after the production. Plus, Lex shares a story about her cast having to stay on stage during intermissions.

• Check out Lex on Social Media: @lexpaigemiller

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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" I definitely think what is appealing about swinging is that it really helps keep the show feeling fresh for you." This episode features Lucas Thompson who was a swing and Coricopat on the US National Tour 5 of CATS and sang in the CATS Chorus in the 2016 Revival. Hear Lucas share how he ended up in the various productions, how he approached covering so many cats as a swing, and why Grizabella is his Jellicle choice. Plus, Lucas and Mike share a moment discussing CATS in football to celebrate their mutual connection.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"This can be the gift that keeps on giving. Jellicles Forever. I'm going to be a Jellicle forever. And I am." This episode features Pepe Muñoz who was in six different productions of CATS starting as Admetus in Madrid in 2003 and is currently performing as Santiago in Moulin Rouge The Musical on Broadway. Hear Pepe share how CATS changed his professional life, what it was like performing the show in three different languages, and some fun stories from performing CATS all over the world. Plus, Pepe and Mike cast the Moulin Rogue characters as CATS.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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"Because they’re going to meet me there. They’re all going to eventually meet me there. I’m just first." This episode features Liz Callaway who performed as Grizabella in the original Broadway production of CATS and is one of the longest running Grizabellas from the run. Hear Liz discuss her introduction to CATS, her Grizabella backstory, what it's like to sing Memory all over the world in concerts, and why she thinks Grizabella deserves to be the Jellicle choice. Plus, Liz shares her opening number character name - Mahuvna.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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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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