"It's shocking how much of the show's ethos matches my personality." This episode features Alexandra Bowman, a satirist and superfan of CATS who loved the 2019 movie! Hear Alexandra discuss how her initiation to CATS was the 2019 movie, how she has written multiple parody articles about the movie and musical, about her CATS cosplay, and her defense for Munkustrap as her Jellicle choice. Plus, Alex and Mike take a deep dive into the 2019 movie from all kinds of angles you never realized you neede...
Jul 26, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 82
LIVE from BroadwayCon 2022 in New York City, hear our CATS debate with Zach Bravo (US National Tour 6 Rum Tum Tugger), Zach Raffio (Founder of The Broadway Beat), Jesse McAnally (Musicals With Cheese co-host), and Andrew DeWolf (Musicals With Cheese co-host). Each panelist pulled a random cat out of a hat and made the case why they deserved to ascend to the Heaviside Layer over Grizabella. Tell us who you think should have won by commenting on Twitter, Instagram, or Tik Tok @TheWrongCatDied! Pro...
Jul 19, 2022•42 min
"Kim Kardashian is Grizabella in her prime." This episode features Christopher Salvaggio, who played Skimbleshanks on the current 6th US CATS National Tour. Hear Chris discuss how he views the entirety of Skimble's life, how he get involved in Tik Tok during the pandemic, why he thinks Skimble was the Jellicle choice before Grizz showed up, and his defense for Gus as his Jellicle choice. Plus, since Chris is a huge reality TV fan, Chris and Mike compare cats to the Kardashians. Check out Chris o...
Jul 12, 2022•45 min•Ep. 81
"The CATS giveth and the CATS taketh away because the cats have battered me around so much my brain explodes with CATS." This episode features Sean Chandler who is the host of Broadway Podcast Network's show Your Program is Your Ticket. Hear Sean discuss he saw CATS initially as part of a high school trip, how CATS has been a rollercoaster in his own life, and XXX. Plus, Sean shares how CATS helped him realize his husband was his soulmate. Check out Your Program is Your Ticket on Instagram: @you...
Jun 28, 2022•59 min•Ep. 80
"Chrissie said, 'don't ad-lib.' You cannot compete with T. S. Eliot." This episode features Zach Bravo who played Rum Tum Tugger on the current 6th US CATS National Tour. Hear Zach discuss how he knew that he was going to be a Tugger from a young age, how he pulled from Metallica for his rock influence, and how he created "Tugger Talk" for Tik Tok. Plus, since Zach is a huge Star Wars fan, Zach and Mike compare cats to Star Wars characters and Zach shares his wild, maniacal laugh. Check out Zach...
Jun 14, 2022•53 min•Ep. 79
"I believe Victoria was reborn from the Heaviside Layer which is why Old Deuteronomy is so fascinated with her." This episode features Hyla Perillo who is Victoria on the current 6th US CATS National Tour. Hear Hyla discuss her Victoria headcons, her interpretation of Victoria representing the Jellicle Moon, and her theory on Victoria being last year's Jellicle choice. . Plus, Hyla and Mike pick their Jellicle choices for the next 3 years. Check out Hyla on Instagram and Tik Tok: @hylamayrose Pr...
May 31, 2022•47 min•Ep. 78
"Everything Gillian Lynne did was on a piano or flute and everything Andy Blankenbuehler did was on a drumbeat." This episode features Caitlin Bond who was Victoria on the 6th US CATS National Tour before the pandemic. Hear Caitlin discuss her ballet dance background, her emotional experience in the final show before the pandemic, how shocked she was learning the story of CATS during rehearsals, and her passionate argument for Gus as her Jellicle choice. Plus, hear Caitlin share how she learned ...
May 17, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 77
"They name the food in Ohio. We were joking that we wanted a Rum Tum Tuna Casserole." This episode features Jamie Grayson who is better known as TheBabyGuyNYC but also played Skimbleshanks in 5 regional productions and designed makeup for 2 more productions. Jamie might know more stories about CATS than anyone else in the world and shares some of his craziest examples. Plus, Jamie reveals a major secret on the show that he's never told the world. Check out Jamie on Instagram & Tik Tok: @TheJ...
May 03, 2022•59 min•Ep. 76
"The joy that I felt when I found out that I was going to be a part of Green Eyes. It was it all had come full circle. It was like, now I could be the person scaring people." This episode features Anne Brummel who played Grizabella on the US National Tour 5. Hear Anne discuss being traumatized seeing the show as a kid, how CATS compare to Wicked characters, and her passionate defense of Grizabella based on her theory that Grizabella wouldn't have made it a full year. Plus, hear how Anne went fro...
Apr 19, 2022•58 min•Ep. 75
"Skimbleshanks is in 13 and that's really kind of fun for me as a musician." This episode features Scott Miller who is the author of a CATS parody book called Theatre Cats. Hear about Scott's first time experiencing the US National Tour 3 of CATS in Boston, the writing process of crafting a parody book, his experience watching the new movie, and his first experience thinking about the Jellicle decision. Plus, hear Scott give his secret agenda for why he wrote his parody book of poems. Check out ...
Apr 05, 2022•45 min•Ep. 74
"I just remember they were really hanging their hat on Elaine Paige. Commercials on channel four in Tecumseh, Oklahoma and I was like... great whoever she is." This episode features Ben Rimalower & Daniel Nolen who are fellow podcasters on the Broadway Podcast Network and the hosts of a new event called Cast Offs being hosted at Club Cumming in New York City. Hear about Ben's experience falling asleep during CATS as a child and how Daniel burned through his VHS copy of the musical. Plus, we ...
Mar 23, 2022•49 min•Ep. 73
"When I joined the show that was fifteen years in it was still playing to pack houses every single week." This episode features Damien Delaney who played Bill Bailey on the original West End Production. Hear Damien talk about getting to do the show with some of the original cast, learning the show with incredible Chrissie Cartwright, and why he believes Gus is his Jellicle choice. Check out Damien on Instagram: @damiend13 Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Tw...
Mar 08, 2022•25 min•Ep. 72
"My first word is cocksure which is a British slang term for not just being cocky but cocky to your own detriment." This episode features Tony d'Alelio who was Mungojerrie on the 6th US CATS National Tour before the pandemic. Hear Tony discuss how he grew up only watching the first act of the musical, his interpretation of the nuances of the show, and his deep defense for Gus as his Jellicle choice. Plus, hear Tony talk about how he brings the idea of the three words into all of his performances...
Feb 22, 2022•49 min•Ep. 71
"And if there's any lens point at which to look at CATS through, it's through the eyes of a cult." This episode features DJ John Michael who you likely know as the Live DJ during your Peloton workouts but who also performed as a hybrid Munkustrap/Rum Tum Tugger cat in the Staten Island Academy of PerformIng Arts production of CATS. Hear DJ John Michael discuss how he collected international cast recording growing up, how he auditioned for the touring cast twice, and his hot takes on the 2019 mov...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 70
"If you are just watching the show you probably wouldn't even notice the twins. But if someone knows this show well or if someone happens to catch us and then follow us, they're in for a treat." This episode features Laura Kaufman who was Tantomile on the 6th US CATS National Tour before the pandemic. Hear Laura discuss seeing the show as a teenager, performing in front of friends and family outdoors in 95 degree heat, and why she doesn't think Grizabella is ready for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, ...
Jan 25, 2022•49 min•Ep. 69
"CATS is a lot of damp leotards." This episode features Benjamin Colley who was a swing on the 2020 Asian Tour in South Korea cover Rum Tum Tugger, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy, Gus, Bustopher Jones, and Growltiger. Hear Benjamin discuss what it was like being part of one of the only musicals running during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, how the cast became really close living in their bubble, and how he was terrified of performing as Tugger since it's not his natural personality. Plus, ...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 68
"I had never seen a stage production before booking the show." This episode features Tanner Ray Wilson who was a swing and a dance captain in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Tanner discuss break down Carbuckety's backstory, his theory on how Jennyanydots and Pouncival are actually a couple, and his reasoning for why Cassandra should have been the Jellicle choice. Plus, Tanner gives a ton of different endings and theories for the show. Check out Tanner on Instagram: @tannerraywilson Produced by: ...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 67
"They asked us what we knew about cats and why we were so excited to be there I got a little bit of attitude because I thought they were cats from space." This episode features Lynn Craig who was a swing on the 5th US CATS National Tour . Hear Lynn discuss her introduction to CATS knowing very little at her first rehearsal, her experience doing CATS in a round theatre, and how her show differed from the 2016 Broadway revival. Check out Lynn on Instagram: @lynnjcraig Check out Lynn's website: www...
Nov 30, 2021•38 min•Ep. 66
If the 2019 Bombalurina can re-release her own music, why can't I? As part of the “BROADWAY REBORN, WITH LOVE NOW AND FOREVER, A Celebratory Welcome Back!” event that was recorded live on August 21, 2021, we recorded and released a parody of Memory. Hear it today and watch the music video on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnXTDssGNY Performed by Melanie Goerlitz Lyrics by Mike Abrams: Broadway How I’ve missed you, oh Broadway Let your memory help me Fill the void from within I have...
Nov 16, 2021•5 min
"I poke out as as Alonzo singing 'Were you blind when you're born?' full tilt at my father two feet away I will never forget for the rest of my life he noticed me and jumped probably two feet out of his seat." This episode features Jacob Smith who you probably know from his time on Broadway in Frozen but performed as Macavity early in his theater journey at the Waterloo Community Playhouse in Iowa. Hear Jacob and Mike discuss his introduction to regional theater, his hilarious experience scaring...
Nov 09, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 65
"Alonzo is the Rob Kardashian of CATS." This episode features Joshua Burrage who was a swing in the 2016 Broadway revival and an emergency cover on the US National Tour 6. Hear Joshua discuss how CATS was his first time performing as a swing, give a deep character breakdown of his various cats, and how both he and his brother got to perform in the show on tour. Plus, be sure to dig through Joshua's Instagram to see home videos of him and his brother performing CATS as kids. Check out Joshua on I...
Oct 26, 2021•49 min•Ep. 64
"Gillian Lynn would change the choreography which she could do because it's hers." This episode features Heidi Stallings who played Grizabella on Broadway in 1991 after initially being a cover. Hear Heidi talk about how she learned the show from a cassette tape, how she developed her character using inspiration from other performances, and her defense on why Grizabella is her Jellicle choice. Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn ...
Oct 12, 2021•45 min•Ep. 63
"She would definitely be a rhythmic gymnast." This episode features Hannah Kenna Thomas who was Victoria on the 2012 West End Revival and is currently in the 2019 Vienna Revival. Hear Hannah talk about her obsession with the show growing up, the story of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn seeing the UK tour to bring to the West End, and her defense for Grizabella as a Jellicle choice. Plus, Mike works very hard to influence Hannah's Vienna Victoria performance to play Grizabella as her mother. ...
Sep 28, 2021•48 min•Ep. 62
"At times I was just speaking and had no idea what I was saying." This episode features Matthew Levick who is currently playing Bill Bailey in the 2019 Vienna Revival. Hear Matt talk about his time performing CATS on a cruise ship, what it's like learning multiple characters in a different language, and discuss the amazing theatre community in Vienna. Plus, Matt shares a little of the Bill Bailey backstory. Check out Matt on Instagram: @matthewlevick Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podca...
Sep 14, 2021•41 min•Ep. 61
"It's really Victoria and the rest of the cats who pick Grizabella." This episode features Gavan Pamer who played Mungojerrie in the 4th US CATS National Tour. Hear Gavan talk about how the show was so popular that it sold $1M in one week, how they went on an "arena tour," and what it was like doing the infamous cartwheels in his dance. Plus, Gavan tells his theory that Old Deuteronomy was picking Skimbleshanks before Grizabella comes back. Check out Gavan on Instagram: @gpamer Produced by: Alan...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 60
Nearly 35 years after their first performance, the National 3 cast of the landmark international musical sensation by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS, reunited for a very special virtual theatrical event, WITH LOVE, NOW AND FOREVER! CATS4COVIDRELIEF, a fundraiser for the Broadway Cares Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, which supports The Actors Fund. Now, one year later they are reunited, once again, to celebrate the reopening of the theatre industry in “BROADWAY REBORN, WITH LOVE NOW AND FOREVER, A...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 2 min
"In the variety show our Demeter got hit in the face with a briefcase." This episode features Emily Tanner who played Tantomile on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas. Hear Emily talk about how the cruise crowd generally reacts to CATS, discuss all of the other things she had to do on the cruise as a dancer like the variety show, and brainstorm with Mike on how to make each week's three shows different. Plus, hear Emily talk about the on board differences for singers and dancers. Che...
Aug 10, 2021•50 min•Ep. 59
"I was told my Tugger gyrated more than any other in the cast." This episode features Chris Stevens who played Rum Tum Tugger in the 5th US CATS National Tour. Hear Chris talk about how we was cast in the show almost immediately after graduating, how he tried to find perfection in a character that thrives on imperfection, and his fun experience with an audience member in Kentucky. Plus, hear Chris talk about some of the craziness of being on tour including a three show day. Check out Chris on In...
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 58
"The CATS lore was created over the course of many decades of the show." This episode features Jeremy Davis who played Skimbleshanks in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Jeremy tell the story of how Trevor Nunn told the entire CATS story to the 2016 Revival, how the show still have creative liberty to do something different each night (within reason), and the other half of the Tugger/Skimble rumor that started with Jeremy and Tyler Hanes. Plus, hear Jeremy discuss the backstory he created for his ...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 57
"We were really left alone to create our own backstories." This episode features Joanna Beck who played Jellylorum in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Joanna discuss playing outdoor theatres with 12,000 seats, what it was like being one of the older cast members on tour, and why she actually thinks the plot is shockingly simple. Plus, Joanna gives her reason on why she thinks the tribe picks the Jellicle choice, not Old Deut. Donate to the With Love, Now and Forever! CATS4COVIDRELIEF Produced b...
Jul 20, 2021•42 min•Ep. 56
