The Wrong Cat Died

“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s a show unlike any other that has ever existed. I truly believe that. I think it broke all the rules of what made a successful hit Broadway or West End musical at the time.” This episode features international tour performer Nathan Taylor, who played Bustopher Jones and Gus on the International Tour. Nathan discusses his unexpected history with the show, its universal appeal, and how performers create new character moments nightly. Nathan recounts auditioning in an emotional time in his life, explains how he relates deeply to Gus, and defends Bustopher by clarifying the UK meaning of “gentleman’s club.” He shares his personal lore theory that the show can represent multiple Jellicle Ball nights and ages in Gus’s life, and describes friendships shaping onstage choices, especially with Jennyanydots. Nathan also shares the death of his mother during the tour, including how she heard his recorded performance as she passed.

00:53 Nathan’s CATS History

04:45 Why Cats Works

11:41 Defending Bustopher Jones

22:33 Gus Timeline Theory

26:26 Asparagus vs Peter vs Bustertopher

30:13 Jennyanydots Friendship Lore

42:02 Grief Onstage

44:53 Rapid Fire

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“I always think of CATS as a picture book. Like a children's picture book come to life.” This episode features CATS veteran Tommie Luyben who has performed in the show since 2006 and recently assisted Chrissie Cartwright on the 2025 Australian tour (and the 2022 Asia tour). Tommie traces his early fandom from CDs, library recordings, and the VHS to joining the 2006 Dutch tour as a swing, then performing on the German tent tour as first-cast Mungojerrie and later Skimbleshanks, plus swinging for the Vienna revival while covering many roles. He discusses challenges of performing in German, how rehearsal rooms build character backstories without changing the show’s outcome, and a very unique Electra theory. An episode you won’t want to miss.

01:19 First CATS Obsession

05:53 Dutch Translation Secrets

09:46 Vienna Swing Life

11:15 Assistant Director Era

13:33 Building Character Lore

20:55 Wild Rehearsal Theories

22:54 Macavity Deep Dive

26:32 Why CATS Still Hits

34:32 Chrissie Wisdom Nuggets

44:48 Rapid Fire

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“ I believe that Jellylorum is our mother and she spends so much bloody time with Gus, trying to help Gus and fix Gus. We just wanna get her attention.” This episode features Tannah Levick who performed as Rumpleteazer in the South Africa production of CATS and will be on the continuation of the international tour. Hear Tannah share about her CATS history, how mentors and rehearsal process deepened her respect for the show’s poetry-based story, and how she became obsessed by researching through podcasts and cast discussions. Tannah describes the “I’m in CATS” choreography moments, auditioning in South Africa, insisting on Rumpleteazer, and how her onstage relationship with Mungojerrie shifts depending on who she is performing with(siblings, friends, or lovers). She shares mischievous audience interaction choices, viral tour social media with castmates, connecting with other Rumpleteazers for injury advice, and memorable show incidents including Mistoffelees getting stuck, a tire malfunction, and a bat flying onstage.

01:07 First CATS Memories

02:51 From Hating to Loving

11:41 CATS Theories and Lore

15:04 Rumpleteazer Relationship Theory

21:19 CATS TikTok Goes Viral

24:27 Global Jellicle Community

27:42 Tour Mishaps

32:25 Cats Astrology

37:25 Rapid Fire

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“My most treasured possession was that VHS. I played it every single day. And then I started teaching myself every single track.” This episode features Isabelle McCalla who is currently starring as Emma Tate in Schmigadoon! on Broadway. Hear Isabelle recount seeing CATS in 1998 at age five, petting the actress playing Cassandra, and becoming obsessed with the London VHS, learning songs and choreography in her parents’ ballroom dance studio. She talks favorite and hardest tracks, her childhood understanding of the show’s sensuality, and reactions to the new Jellicle Ball revival’s ball-culture framing and storyline, plus the 2019 Cats film and the viral “Mr. MESStoffelees” video. Isabella discusses the incredibly fun Schmigadoon! and then she and Mike cast the Cats into the show.

01:03 First CATS Encounter

02:39 1998 CATS VHS Obsession

09:13 Cats: The Jellicle Ball

18:28 2019 CATS Movie

20:08 Schmigadoon!

24:10 Schmigadoon Meets Cats

32:54 Rapid Fire

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

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“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

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices