"The ritual didn't happen." This episode features Felix Hess who played Skimbleshanks in the 5th US CATS National Tour. Hear Felix talk about learning cat mannerisms, answer all of Mike's questions about Skimble, and shares his theory on how the Ball was cut short because of Grizabella. Plus, Felix and Mike discuss creating a CATS cryptocurrency called Jelli-coin Check out Felix on Instagram: @felixs_journey Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWro...
Jul 13, 2021•50 min•Ep. 55
"It's kind of just a show of introductions." This episode features Justin Geiss who played Pouncival & Mungojerrie in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Justin talk about how he was obsessed with the show growing up as a dancer, his fun story with Andy Blankenbuehler during his audition, and how he defends Macavity as his Jellicle choice. Plus, Justin discusses how Harry Potter influenced the way he played certain Cats. Check out Justin on Instagram: @jutin_geese Check out Justin's Pod...
Jul 07, 2021•55 min•Ep. 54
"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. Check out Melody on Instagram: @melodyrose Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram &am...
Jun 29, 2021•48 min•Ep. 53
"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: Al...
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 52
"I do think I'm a little responsible for making Skimbleshanks nuts." This episode features Cathy Susan Pyles who played Jennyanydots in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Cathy discuss her experience as a swing on other national tours before going on as Jenny in CATS, how contributions from the initial casts help drive backstories for the cats, and her arguments to sacrifice one of the kittens for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, Cathy defends how she played a very youthful Jenny. Donate to the With Lo...
Jun 15, 2021•49 min•Ep. 51
"We can make this work. I would be Meatloaf Tugger." This episode features Nathan Patrick Morgan who played Old Deuteronomy in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Nathan talk about his experience in multiple productions of CATS (dinner theater, multiple US national tours, read throughs, and more), discuss covering so many different characters, and discuss his theory on how Old Deuteronomy has already made up his mind and is just teaching the other cats a lesson. Plus, hear Nathan tell the s...
Jun 08, 2021•57 min•Ep. 50
"My son says the whole idea of CATS is creepy.". This episode features Karen Longwell who was in the ensemble in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Karen discuss her experience as a dancer in the show, give backstories for multiple Cats, and her arguments for for both Grizabella and Gus. Plus, Karen tells the story of how she acted as a puppeteer during the With Love, Now and Forever fundraiser. Check out Christine's on Twitter & Instagram: @karen_longwell Check out Karen's Website: www.karen...
Jun 01, 2021•44 min
"Grizz. Easy. She's Tonya Harding. She's had a tough life. She's a fighter." This episode features stand up comedian and the host of Sports Tabata Meghan Hanley who has never been in CATS but had a crazy experience seeing the show. Hear Meghan talk about how her CATS jokes bombed when she tried them during a set, how she grew up in Long Island seeing the CATS commercial her whole life, and why her who views on the show center around Skimbleshanks. Plus, Meghan and I compare CATS to athletes! Che...
May 26, 2021•47 min•Ep. 48
"Everyone was just very curious about the show." This episode features Adrea Gibbs who played Bombalurina in the 1987 US National Tour 3 along with a few other CATS in other productions. Hear Adrea discuss being part of the initial Los Angeles cast of CATS as Tantomile, her experiences at the stage door on tour, and her rationale on why Grizabella is not ready for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, Adrea sings a little bit of Macavity in German! Donate to the With Love, Now and Forever! CATS4COVIDRELIEF...
May 18, 2021•46 min•Ep. 47
"The cab driver insisted we were wrong about the title and the show was called - Those Darn Cats". This episode features Christine Toy Johnson who played the Sillabub in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Christine discuss her experience on the show, how she wrote the script for the recent 2020 Broadway Cares fundraiser, and her arguments for both Gus and Grizabella. Plus, Christine starts up her own rumor stating that Plato is the father of Sillabub! Check out Christine's on Twitter & Instag...
May 11, 2021•54 min•Ep. 46
"Have you ever heard the theory that Old Deuteronomy is actually just a serial killer?" This episode features Dan Hoy who played Munkustrap in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Dan talk about how he was obsessed with the show burning throw the 1998 CATS VHS, discuss all the crazy Munk rumors, and discusses if Old Deut should be considered more for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, Dan humors me by discussing the Macavity fight and how Munk's potential child with Demeter could be the cause of tha...
May 04, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 45
"I think Grizz and Mistoffelees are close." This episode features Randy Slovacek who played the magical Mr. Mistoffelees in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Randy share how he knew he was going to be in the show from the first time he saw it, his Macavity and Bomb theory, and his aha moment where he learned how to bring his best self to performances. Check out Randy on Twitter & Instagram: @randyslovacek Check out The Randy Report: www.therandyreport.com Check out The Randy Report Podcast: ...
Apr 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 44
"His carbon pawprint is huge!" You probably know Donna Vivino from her time on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked or as the original Young Cosette in Les Misérables but she joins Mike to talk about her time as Grizabella on the 2020 6th US National Tour. Hear Donna discuss how she had never seen the show until 2020, give a breakdown on which Cats she loves and hates, and matches which Wicked character would be which Cat. Plus, hear Donna's argument on why Bustopher Jones is her choice for the Heavisi...
Apr 20, 2021•55 min•Ep. 43
I want to hear from you! The feedback I've been getting is great, but I want to know more about if you think Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. Record yourself and tag @thewrongcatdied on IG or Twitter to let me know, or email it to thewrongcatdied at gmail.com. Music by: Anthony Norman Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 16, 2021•1 min
"People thought we were a baseball team." This episode features Austin Jetton who played Old Deuteronomy on 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Austin talk about the show jackets that confused people into thinking they were a baseball team, his emotional experiences sitting on stage during intermission, how he came up with the idea for the recent fundraiser, and his theory that Jellicle tribe is actually a small town which influenced his decision for the Heaviside Layer. Check out Austin's Website: ww...
Apr 13, 2021•46 min•Ep. 42
"You will all pick for the same reason that I already know that she is the one that should be picked" This episode features Tricia Tanguy who played Grizabella in the 2007 5th US National Tour and then again over 10 years later in the 2019 6th US Tour. Hear Tricia discuss what it was like learn the show from some of the original CATS team, how Andy Blankenbuehler uses the ensemble to tell the CATS relationships with each other, and her theory about how Old Deuteronomy has his mind made up on the...
Apr 06, 2021•52 min•Ep. 41
"Grizabella is the girl at the end of the bar. It's not the age, it's the mileage." This episode features BK Kennelly who played Rum Tum Tugger on 1987 US National Tour 3 and three other productions. Hear BK share what it was like being on the infamous CATS National Tour in the 80s, what his experience was going to play Tugger in Hamburg, and his emotional memory from the fundraiser. Plus, he sings a little bit of "Moonlight" in German! Donate to the With Love, Now and Forever! CATS4COVIDRELIEF:...
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 40
"Who is this young 17 year old coming?" This episode features Madison Mitchell who joined the CATS cast as a 17 year-old and was in 4 different productions of CATS including the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Madison discuss covering multiple characters, her experience seeing the show as a teenager, and what it was like going on as Grizabella the first time. Plus, hear Madison share how Hair is nearly the same musical as CATS. Check out Madison on Instagram: @madison.mitchell_ Check out Madison's w...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 39
"They had us crawling on the floor pretending to play with a ball of yarn." This episode features Deborah Geneviere who played Demeter on 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Deborah share what it was like being on the infamous CATS National Tour in the 80s, how their cast supported the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fundraiser during their tour, and how the cast has reunited to fundraise for the theater community today. Check out Deborah on Instagram: @deborah_athens Donate to the With Love, Now an...
Mar 16, 2021•47 min•Ep. 38
"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 Check out Colin's The Fete on Instagram: @thefetedance Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway ...
Mar 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 37
Pyrotechnics. The Junkyard as a bombed out World War II cathedral. Individual makeup artists. A $44,000 production budget. This episode features fellow Broadway Podcast Network host Michael Kushner who performed in the most elaborate high school production of CATS in the US History**. Michael and I discuss how we would cast World War II historic figures as CATS characters, all the crazy things his south Florida high school production of CATS did to the show, and why he thinks the show is more fu...
Feb 23, 2021•47 min•Ep. 36
"My goal was not to be Victoria; it was just to be an a**hole and wear a white unitard." This episode dives into one of the grandest CATS audition you'll ever hear. Emma Caymares, who starred on Broadway as Veruca Salt in the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as Wendy in the original cast of Finding Neverland, discusses her infamous audition and how she always stays true to herself. Check Emma out on ABC's new sitcom Call Your Mother. Check out Emma on Instagram: @emmacaymar...
Feb 10, 2021•53 min•Ep. 35
This episode features Adam Richardson who played Old Deuteronomy on the CATS National Tour. Adam shares his strong opinion on why Victoria shouldn't be the first one to touch Grizabella before Memory at the end of the show, how his opera and booth singer experience related to playing Old Deut, and why he agrees with me that Peter is the worst Cat in the show. Check out Adam on Instagram: @atomrich_12 Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDie...
Jan 26, 2021•54 min•Ep. 34
This episode features CATS superfan Nat DiMario who saw the 2016 Broadway revival 88 times! Hear Nat explain their fandom, how they were able to see nearly 15% of the performances, and give the background on how their conversation with the actors lead to the infamous Tuggershanks rumor. Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 05, 2021•38 min•Ep. 33
This episode features Fergie L. Philippe who stars as James Madison in the Broadway production of Hamilton but also played a wild weekend as Old Deuteronomy during the Elon University Production of CATS. Fergie shares how his Elon production utilized a Beyonce and Elvis cat, how CATS influenced his career, and how we would cast Hamilton characters as Cats aka HamilCATS. Check out Fergie on all social media platforms: @fergsters95 Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram ...
Dec 14, 2020•53 min•Ep. 32
This episode features Sarah M. Jenkins who played Jennyanydots during the 2016 Broadway revival. Sarah shares her incredible 16 point summary of CATS, tells a behind the scenes secret to the Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer number, and educates me how the tour used a "bounce castle" set in certain cities. #DoKickGetCheck Check out Sarah on all social media platforms: @sarahmjenkins Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your...
Dec 08, 2020•58 min•Ep. 31
This episode features the hosts of the brilliant podcast The Fabulous Invalid, Jamie DuMont and Rob Russo. Jame and Rob educate me on the deep history of CATS, their love of the show, Rob's Stage Left thesis on CATS, and everything else you might want to know about the history of the show. Check out Jamie on Instagram: @troutinnyc Check out Jamie on Twitter: @jamiedumont Check out Rob on all social media platforms: @stageleft_nyc Check out Rob's Stage Left website: www.stageleft.nyc Check out Th...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 30
This episode features Jonalyn Saxer who was a swing during the 2016 Broadway revival covering Bombalurina, Cassandra, Demeter, Jennyanydots, and Tantomile. Jonalyn discusses what it's like learning multiple tracks, her experience seeing CATS on the West End as a kid, and how her family hates the musical. Check out Jonalyn on Instagram: @jksaxer Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
Nov 18, 2020•57 min•Ep. 29
Bonus Episode: With Love, Now and Forever! CATS4COVID Relief is a fundraiser conceived by and featuring the cast of the third national tour of CATS. The company of theater artists reunites after 34 years to create an upbeat, inspiring celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s international musical phenomenon to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Mike is joined by award-winning director Jonathan Cerullo who conceived and produced the fundraiser, Broadway choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter who was a...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 15 min
This episode features Bret Shuford who starred in TWO regional productions of CATS as a swing and Skimbleshanks. Bret discusses how CATS is learned from the "outside in," what it was like performing at a dinner theatre known for their peach melba, and why, like most people, he's Team Gus. Check out Bret on all social media platforms: @bretshuford Check out Bret's website: www.bretshuford.com/ Check out Bret's The Broadway Husbands Podcast: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/the-broadway-...
Oct 13, 2020•31 min•Ep. 28
