CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 12:00am

Jellicle cats come out tonight!

In its third Jellicle life on Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot’s frisky kittens are reborn as queer-centric ballroom icons. Re-contextualized for a new generation and scrapping the alleyway for the runway, this production — called Cats: The Jellicle Ball — features an onstage ensemble cast of 23 assigned to various “houses” and competing in different categories; the Tony winner André De Shields plays the grand-patriarch Old Deuteronomy. The immersive joy bomb, previously seen Off-Broadway in 2024, features choreography by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons; Bill Rauch and Zhailon Levingston co-direct. Cats: The Jellicle Ball begins previews tomorrow (March 18) and opens on April 7 at the Broadhurst Theatre.

“Come one, come all — the Jellicle Cats are having a ball. Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s worldwide phenomenon is reimagined in a production that smashed records, won awards, and left New York City purring. And now, Cats: The Jellicle Ball ascends to Broadway in a kaleidoscope of glittering spectacle, iconic music, and electrifying ballroom choreography.”

Who’ll be there with guns blazing and fans clacked?!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 11:05am

CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL has an 11-piece orchestra + conductor William Waldrop, who conducted both the downtown run and the 2016 Broadway revival.

• 3 Keyboards
• Flute / Clarinet / Tenor Sax
• Clarinet / Soprano Sax / Baritone Sax
• Trumpet / Piccolo Trumpet / Flugelhorn
• French Horn
• Drums / Percussion
• Guitars / Banjo
• Electric Bass
• Cello

Orchestrations are by Lloyd Webber and David Andrew Wilson (head of music for LW Entertainment); Trevor Holder is credited as beats arranger / producer. 

 

 

Updated On: 3/17/26 at 11:05 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 1:17pm

I am going tomorrow night. I am absolutely stoked and have been waiting for this for six months.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 7:49pm

Image of the set from a view of the mezzanine, including onstage seats.

FYI: There are PV ORCH $94 Seats still left for the first preview on Telecharge

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 7:54pm

From this pic, seems like the first few rows in orchestra wouldn't be ideal. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 8:44pm

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 9:49pm

I’m gonna say front row mezz!

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 10:03pm

VernonGersch said: "From this pic, seems like the first few rows in orchestra wouldn't be ideal."

Just left the final dress. I suggest mezzanine for this show, not rear orchestra. 

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 10:08pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "VernonGersch said: "From this pic, seems like the first few rows in orchestra wouldn't be ideal."

Just left the final dress. I suggest mezzanine for this show, not rear orchestra."

How was it? Based on first impression, does it translate well in a traditional bway space? 

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 12:43am

goodtimes123 said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "VernonGersch said: "From this pic, seems like the first few rows in orchestra wouldn't be ideal."

Just left the final dress. I suggest mezzanine for this show, not rear orchestra."

How was it? Based on first impression, does it translate well in a traditional bway space?"

Yes it translates. They need to figure out some sight line issues and tighten, but people were into it. I wanna go back and sit on the stage. 

[Jg2019]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 8:41am

If anyone sits in the boxes on the stool seats with the table, interested to see how they are sightline wise 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 10:50am

CATS THE JELLICLE BALL  MERCH

Updated On: 3/18/26 at 10:50 AM

[theblackumbrella]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 11:08am

I wish the magnet was like the window card. It looks way more like a lapel pin than a magnet. I like the cat mirrorball keychain, but wish it looked more like the one on the poster. The mirrorball tee is boring. I want these to be LIVELY and play with the "Paris is Purring" or "The CATegory is" puns (I didn't come up with these. They're in reviews and ads already). Make it more gay.

Updated On: 3/18/26 at 11:08 AM

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 11:44am

The simple logo shirt they had at PAC was so much better. Wanted one of those so bad but they sold out quick. 

[ScottK]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 11:44am

GREAT taglines! I'm sure someone at the merch company will see them, and those will wind up on the shirts. REALLY CLEVER!!

[pathman2]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 11:54am

Box seats now available to purchase online. Anyone know which seat (there’s 5 on each side) and which side would be best? Thanks!

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 12:08pm

pathman2 said: "Box seats now available to purchase online. Anyone know which seat (there’s 5 on each side) and which side would be best? Thanks!"

If the boxes are anything like at PAC, then you are fine since you are overlooking everything. House left boxes are next to the DJ Booth.

One thing that people should understand for this show is that it is remarkably dynamic. Characters are always moving, doing things in the background, engaging with the other actors and the audience. It’s very much like going to a club and seeing everyone on the dance floor and everyone has their own backstory.

Example: If you watch when competitors leave the stage after a big number, you might be watching them talk to their “house”, or gossiping about other people. 

What I found down at PAC is, regardless of where you sit, you will always see something going on that other people might not.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 12:09pm

I hope that’s not Andres wig through out the whole show.

holy electric shock 

[James2]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 2:14pm

How was rush this morning?

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 2:16pm

Looking forward to hearing from folks that attend over the next few days

Specifically as it relates to seating - on stage will I miss a ton?  I ended up getting tickets right when they went on sale and it has now turned out to be front row of Orchestra - is that too too close or are you in it?  

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 2:40pm

Official website and Telecharge both list an approximate 2:45 running time, including an intermission. 

[Ensemble1665759202]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 3:02pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Official website and Telecharge both list an approximate 2:45 running time, including an intermission."

Oof that’s long. Hope they trim the fat during previews. 

[malcs98]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 3:11pm

Ensemble1665759202 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Official website and Telecharge both list an approximate 2:45 running time, including an intermission."

Oof that’s long. Hope they trim the fat during previews."

Well the show does have a very long encore/curtain call at the end...idk if they did it during the dress rehearsal last night but its about a good 8 minutes

[bryan32]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 6:11pm

I think people what the cats they saw in the 1982 not with out cat makeup

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/18/26 at 6:15pm

bryan32 said: "I think people what the cats they saw in the 1982 not with out cat makeup"

Huh????????????