Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS. "At our Ball, Old Deuteronomy selects me as the homecoming queen and then I select my king. So I select Alonzo." This episode features Brianna Abruzzo who plays Victoria in this production. Brianna shares her unique journey into the musical, from her first introduction to CATS through her brother's fascination with the s...
Jul 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 217
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS. This bonus episode is with the "Coaster Kittens" who are the teen ensemble in the 2025 Fulton Theatre production of CATS. Hear each of them share their character's backstory and discuss all of the fun parts of being part of this production. Featuring: Elliott Evans, Trenton Breneman, Kendra Alexander, Conner Moodie, Mate...
Jul 13, 2025•35 min
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS. " I'm having so much fun. It's silly. It's great. And I love the fact that he turned it into a Shakespearian moment." This episode features James Patterson who plays Bustopher Jones & Gus in this production. Hear James share his extensive history with the show, his experiences playing multiple roles, and the unique e...
Jul 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 216
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS. "I know that Grizz has left and Jelly has two litters and is currently pregnant with her third." This episode features Katie Sina who plays Jellylorum in this production. Katie shares her journey with the musical, from her first encounter with CATS on Broadway to her current role. They discuss her history in musical thea...
Jul 01, 2025•39 min•Ep. 215
" The first 15 days of every month was in English and then the second 15 or 16 days it was in German." This episode features John Treacy Egan who performed as Old Deuteronomy in Zurich and on the US National Tour 4 and is currently performing in Just In Time on Broadway. Hear John discuss his remarkable Jellicle journey. From learning lyrics in German to handling on-stage mishaps and fan interactions, this episode offers a delightful mix of behind-the-scenes stories and professional insights. he...
Jun 24, 2025•49 min•Ep. 214
"The truth is every good play is hinged on the one particular character having a life changing moment." This episode features Deneen Melody, Kelby McClellan, & Zach Santolaya who were part of the Canyon Theatre Guild Production of CATS in California this summer. They share their initial reactions upon hearing the theater would do CATS, their personal histories with the musical, and the detailed character research they undertook. They also explore fascinating lore, backstage antics, memorable...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 213
" I went to see CATS about five times with notebooks and took notes throughout the performance." This episode features Caesar Samayoa who performed as the Rum Tum Tugger in an "illegal" high school production of CATS in New Jersey and is currently performing as Don Kirshner and many more characters in Just In Time on Broadway. Hear Caesar dive into his fascinating journey from performing in multiple Cats productions, including the alleged 'illegal' high school version, to his current role as Don...
Jun 10, 2025•42 min•Ep. 212
"Ten years ago I was the Associate Director of CATS when we did it the first time at Paramount and I thought, wouldn't it be so amazing if Victoria ascended to Jellicle Ball in a moon beam of silks?" This episode features the cast and creative team of the 2025 circus production of CATS. The group dives into the unique transformation of the classic musical CATS into an acrobatic circus-themed production at Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois. Featuring Artistic Producer and Casting Director Tre...
Jun 03, 2025•29 min•Ep. 211
" Bustopher Jones was Bustopher Mürr and I don’t know why except that it rhymed." This episode features Nancy Leach who was a swing in the Hamburg production of CATS. Nancy shares her introduction to CATS, learning the show in German, and her journey from New York to Hamburg. She discusses her roles, particularly as Grizabella, and provides insight into her character's emotional depth and backstory. Nancy also reminisces about fun behind-the-scenes moments, promotional events, and her take on wh...
May 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 210
"The truth is every good play is hinged on the one particular character having a life changing moment." This episode features Director/Choreographer Marc Robin and Associate Director/Makeup Designer Joey Abramowicz to discuss the Fulton Theatre's upcoming summer 2025 production of CATS. They delve into the unique concept of setting the musical in an abandoned amusement park, the challenges and joys of reimagining this iconic show, and the intricate character dynamics that make this production on...
May 20, 2025•58 min•Ep. 209
" Chrissie Cartwright looked at me and she’s like ‘you've gotta like see the mouse, follow the mouse, pounce on the mouse, chase the mouse again.’ And I was like, wait, wait, wait. Are we cats?" This episode features Sarah Bowden who performed as Sillabub in the Australian Circus Tent Tour production of CATS and is currently performing in the ensemble in Smash on Broadway. Hear Sarah share tales from her early career, including her intriguing audition stories and experiences touring with CATS in...
May 13, 2025•48 min•Ep. 208
"I tried to imbue as much of me as an older brother, as a leader among friends, in my role in the pack." This episode features Victor Carrillo Tracey who performed as Munkustrap in the 2017 STAR Theatre regional production of CATS and is currently performing as a swing in The Outsiders on Broadway. Hear Victor Carrillo share his family connection into CATS, how it was a huge part of his introduction to professional dance, and some fun stories that could only happen at a regional theater. Plus, V...
May 06, 2025•40 min•Ep. 207
"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 ex...
Apr 22, 2025•40 min•Ep. 206
" 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...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 205
" 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 in...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 204
"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. Ch...
Mar 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 203
" 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 t...
Mar 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 202
"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, Pe...
Mar 11, 2025•59 min•Ep. 201
"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 nu...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 200
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 tha...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min
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 thought...
Feb 11, 2025•49 min
"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. Check out Zach on Social Media: @zachraffio Check out the Broadway Beat on Social Media: @bwaybeatnews...
Jan 28, 2025•55 min•Ep. 199
"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:...
Jan 14, 2025•44 min•Ep. 198
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 Vic...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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 ...
Dec 24, 2024•29 min
"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 h...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min•Ep. 197
"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 writin...
Dec 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 196
"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...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 195
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, Cla...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 11 min
"When the auditions came, I’m a 17 year old girl so I wanted to be a sexy cat. I wanted to be Rum Tum Tugger and since it was all girls you could have. That was my dream. But I got cast as Grizabella." This episode features Ana Villafañe who performed as Grizabella in her all girls Catholic high school production of CATS in Miami. Hear Ana share how she became obsessed with the musical, the craziness of performing CATS at the age of 17, and her perspective on why Grizabella is her Jellicle choic...
Nov 19, 2024•48 min•Ep. 194
