Posted: 6/18/24 at 7:43am
‘Cats’ Returns, Ditching the Junkyard for Queer Ballroom
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/18/theater/cats-ballroom-revival-pac-nyc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0k0.WSt5.hXyiKP8ehasI
Posted: 6/18/24 at 1:16pm
Saw this on Sunday and still cannot stop thinking about it. This is how you do a revival! It is just so much fun! I knew a bit about ballroom culture going in, but honestly didn’t necessarily think you need to beforehand! I loved all the changes made and yet how it still felt so faithful to the material.
I was seated directly behind the judges table which was had two people (execs?) from the House of Maison Margiela on Sunday. They provide the “judging” until Old Deuteronomy appears! It seems like theres different special guest judges every show.
I thought the set was really well done, great use of physical sets and projection. The cast is insane, I could not get over how well this whole thing is cast!
I cannot recommend enough and honestly will be going back a few more times before this ends, which I really wasn’t sure about going into it. I love Cats but was skeptical with something that was this ambitious, but it more than delivered.
Posted: 6/18/24 at 2:16pm
It was so good!
Updated On: 6/18/24 at 02:16 PM
Posted: 6/19/24 at 1:35pm
Coming out of Bwayworld retirement just to say that this is probably the best theatrical experience currently running in NY and I cannot wait to see it again. Truly genius and exciting!
Spotted LMM in the audience last night and he was having a ball.
I’d recommend sitting on the sides of the catwalk, closer to the orchestra.
Posted: 6/19/24 at 1:54pm
phan24 said: "Spotted LMM in the audience last night and he was having a ball."
Jellicle Ball. haha. Sorry, had to.
Posted: 6/19/24 at 2:16pm
We and a group of friends are going and really looking forward to it as everyone is talking about what fun it is and loving it. Gonna be a great way to start pride weekend.
Posted: 6/19/24 at 5:59pm
Top ticket price: $309.00. Amazing.
Posted: 6/19/24 at 7:02pm
phan24 said: "I’d recommend sitting on the sides of the catwalk, closer to the orchestra."
Thanks for this, phan24. Is it worth the extra $50 to go for rows BB/CC vs. DD/EE?
Posted: 6/19/24 at 7:48pm
Dan6 said: "phan24 said: "I’d recommend sitting on the sides of the catwalk, closer to the orchestra."
Thanks for this, phan24.Is it worth the extra $50 to go for rows BB/CC vs. DD/EE?"
No not worth it, in fact I think it’s best to be on DD/EE. The creative team sat around EE106 and that’s probably the best seats IMO.
Posted: 6/19/24 at 11:29pm
This show is the sh*t. Without exaggeration, one of the best things I’ve ever seen on a stage. In my opinion, best cheaper seats are at the ends of the lower balcony. I was in P 242, which is actually marked partial view now because it’s next to the DJ table, but I wouldn’t want to sit anywhere else, because you can see the entire runway coming towards you, as well as the judges’ table from the front.
Updated On: 6/20/24 at 11:29 PM
Posted: 6/20/24 at 12:12am
Saw this tonight. It’s incredible. Whoever had the spark of the idea for this concept is genius. And the creative team that made this happen did a perfect job. It’s the most reimagined reimagining of any show I’ve ever seen. Fantastic performances, moving tributes to ball culture, great costumes, party atmosphere, all worked together seamlessly. It worked so well, I was thinking how has this never been conceived before. If this is what Cats is now, I’m all for it.
Posted: 6/20/24 at 12:41am
Posted: 6/20/24 at 4:54am
Sitting in GG on the sides next month (runway seats) . How’s the view ?
Posted: 6/20/24 at 9:27am
FYI, code QUEERCATS works for 20% off. Discount is reflected in cart. Once again, don't be afraid of lower balcony P 241 and 242, $68 seats marked partial view. Pic from P 242 is in my post above, and I had zero complaints about the view.
Updated On: 6/20/24 at 09:27 AM
Posted: 6/20/24 at 10:13am
I went last night and still haven’t quite recovered from the sheer brilliance of it all. (AND I FORKING HATE “CATS”)
Everything about this production is both quality theatre and an opulent, interactive, and immersive night out. They even have a similar invocation before the show like AIN’T NO MO had, giving theatregoers permission to interact with the proceedings and the audience knew exactly when to participate and when to watch.
The performances are absolutely off the hook - with everyone absolutely putting their whole kitty cat in it. Sydney Harcourt is pure sex as Rum Tug Tugger. (Can confirm the jockstrap reveal is worth the price of admission) and also they have crackling chemistry with Robert “Silk” Mason as Mistofflees. Temptress Chasity Moore as Grizabella was absolutely heartbreaking in the role - which had been rethought as a former ballroom legend and trophy winner who was eschewed by the community and her rendition of “Memory” show that the song is more than just a pristine soprano belt-fest, and has the capacity to show raw emotion .
Andre de Shields does what he does best - exist as the ethereal and all powerful being we know him to be - and he got a solid two minutes of applause by walking through a curtain. THAT is a legend.
Finally, to me the real star of the night was Antwayn Hopper as Macavity, reimagined as a house father with questionable behaviors and motives. His entire “House of Macavity” was giving very much the vibe of the House of Abundance in season 1 of “Pose”. He is all swagger, cunning, bass vocals, high fashion, sickening moves, and body-ody-ody. This was a true star turn and he just ate everything up and then some. Watching him and Sydney walk a category together half-naked and being judged by Andre de Shields was basically the gayest I have ever felt in a theatrical environment.
GO. GET TICKETS. DRESS FABULOUSLY. GET YOUR LIFE!
Posted: 6/20/24 at 1:23pm
ADORED THIS SHOW (saw third preview) and also loved how much fun everyone (lots of black and brown young people) were having. I suspect many of them don't often get to see versions of themselves on a theater stage. One small quibble: [SPOILER ALERT Shouldn't Grizabella get transformed into a glamour puss AFTER she rises up to wherever those steps take her instead of before?]
My seats in the second row directly opposite the end of the runaway (behind where the judges sit) were perfect. That theater, tho. The auditorium itself was perfect for this concept, but getting from the lobby to the auditorium is just plain weird and confusing--at least for a first timer.
Posted: 6/20/24 at 4:30pm
Booked for July, and if critical review is anywhere close to whats being discussed here, I think this is going to be a very hot ticket.
These are the threads on BWW that bring me back: genuine theater fans' reactions to performances in previews!
Posted: 6/20/24 at 5:53pm
Can someone give some restaurant recommendations in the area (table service, not fast food). Thanks in advance.
Posted: 6/20/24 at 6:22pm
Metropolis is the restaurant that is in the center. It seems to be quite nice and when you get your tix confirmed it is advertised. Perhaps that would be a safe bet for u.
Posted: 6/20/24 at 6:34pm
nycward said: "Metropolis is the restaurant that is in the center. It seems to be quite nice and when you get your tix confirmed it is advertised. Perhaps that would be a safe bet for u.
"
I liked Metropolis. I wouldn't go out of my way to have dinner there but it is perfect for PAC. I thinks mains were in the 30-40 price range.
https://pacnyc.org/visit/metropolis-by-marcus-samuelsson/
Posted: 6/20/24 at 9:18pm
From the fact that everyone posting seems to think their seats are the perfect location, it sounds like there probably isn't a bad seat in the theater. But since I want to get the most out of this experience (and can't afford the cabaret tables), just asking anyone who has an opinion for the best option between (1) side runway, (2) orchestra, or (3) first balcony above orchestra? Maybe it's the result of that first video promo, but I like the idea of sitting facing the end of the runway and seeing everyone come towards me. On the other hand, it's hard to tell from the seating chart and photos how far back the center orchestra/balcony are, and it also sounds like I'd be looking at Andre's back most of the time. Thanks for any help!
Posted: 6/20/24 at 9:39pm
Critic's Pick from Jesse Green:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/20/theater/cats-the-jellicle-ball-review.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1U0.XnUg.q0io48AS9zcN&smid=url-share
Updated On: 6/20/24 at 09:39 PM
Posted: 6/20/24 at 9:48pm
Dan6 said: "From the fact that everyone posting seems to think their seats are the perfect location, it sounds like there probably isn't a bad seat in the theater. But since I want to get the most out of this experience (and can't afford the cabaret tables), just asking anyone who has an opinion for the best option between (1) side runway, (2) orchestra, or (3) first balcony above orchestra? Maybe it's the result of that first video promo, but I like the idea of sitting facing the end of the runway and seeing everyone come towards me. On the other hand, it's hard to tell from the seating chart and photos how far back the center orchestra/balcony are, and it also sounds like I'd be looking at Andre's back most of the time. Thanks for any help!"
The thing I like about the very ends of the lower balcony (O 201 and O 251/P 201 and P 242) is that they offer a happy medium between the runway and orchestra sections. You're closer to the runway like the runway seats, but have more of a front view like the orchestra, and, like I said before, you're not behind the judges' table, but can see Andre De Shields' face the whole time. I was never noticeably looking at people's backs.
Updated On: 6/20/24 at 09:48 PM
Posted: 6/20/24 at 9:49pm
Has anyone heard anything about further extensions or a transfer elsewhere?
Posted: 6/20/24 at 10:19pm
4 stars from Time Out:
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/cats-the-jellicle-ball-musical-review-andrew-lloyd-webber-ballroom
4 stars from the New York Post:
‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ review: The most fun you’ll have at the theater this summer
https://nypost.com/2024/06/20/entertainment/cats-the-jellicle-ball-review-the-most-fun-youll-have-this-summer/
4 stars from New York Stage Review:
https://nystagereview.com/2024/06/20/cats-the-jellicle-ball-alw-in-the-house/
Sara Holdren in Vulture is positive:
https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-review-drag-cats-jellicle-ball-good.html
Updated On: 6/20/24 at 10:19 PM
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