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The Wrong Cat Died: Daily Summaries Delivered
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Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
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- 2 days ago56 min
Ep265 - Bebe Nicole Simpson, Demeter in CATS: The Jellicle Ball
“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 Check out Bebe on Instagram: @bebeeee_nicole Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago56 min
Ep264 - Jordan Stefanski, The Jellicle Patron
“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 Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago46 min
Ep263 - Ryan Jackson, Mistoffelees on US National Tour 5
“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 Check out Ryan on Instagram: @thisguysmakeup, @its_ryan_jackson & @thisguysbeauty Check out Death Becomes Her on Social Media: @deathbecomesher Check out Death Becomes Her's website: deathbecomesher.com Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago50 min
Ep262 - Leigh Archer, Jennyanydots on 2025 Australian Tour
“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 Check out Leigh on Instagram: @archer5196 Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 30, 202643 min
Ep261 - Petra Ilse Dam, Bombalurina on Asia Tour
“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 Check out Petra on Instagram: @petrailsedam Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 23, 202655 min
Ep260 - Nathan Taylor, Bustopher Jones & Gus on the International Tour
“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 Check out Nathan on Instagram: @sockmatician Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 16, 20261h 1m
Ep259 - Tommie Luyben, Mungojerrie in German Tent Tour
“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 Check out Tommie on Instagram: @tommieluyben Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 9, 202650 min
Ep258 - Tannah Levick, Rumpleteazer in 2025 South Africa Tour
“ 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 Check out Tannah on Instagram: @tan_levick Check out Tannah on Tik Tok: @Tannlevick Check out Tannah on Spotify: @Tannahlevick Check out the International Tour of CATS: www.andrewlloydwebber.com/show/cats Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About The Wrong Cat Died
Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
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