CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews- Page 3

[Joyce 9]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:21am

My issue with ballroom is that it’s so gratuitous.  Look at me, look at me.  So much pomp and circumstance for something that doesn’t warrant the explosive response IMO.  Minutes long standing ovations for nothing.  It really is not for me, i’m a modest person, and you certainly do not speak for the queer community.  Learn to respect people’s opinions who differ from your own. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:32am

Joyce 9 said: "My issue with ballroom is that it’s so gratuitous. Look at me, look at me. So much pomp and circumstance for something that doesn’t warrant the explosive response IMO. Minuteslong standing ovations for nothing. It really is not for me, i’m a modest person, and you certainly do not speak for the queer community. Learn to respect people’s opinions who differ from your own."

Ballroom culture is quite literally about presenting yourself the way your are or who you want to be - reclaiming your identity in a world that defaults to marginalizing those who don’t understand. It’s a form of resistance and art. It’s not gratuitous for its own sake and I think there’s where your assessment starts to wobble on its legs. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:32am

You should maybe take your own advice -- just because you don't "get something" or understand it, doesn't give you the right to denigrate it or dismiss it. Say it's not for you, and leave it at that. But then again, look who I'm talking to...

Also, I'd love to see you even attempt to do ⅒ of what those fierce performers are doing on stage. 

Updated On: 3/19/26 at 01:32 AM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:33am

Joyce 9 said: "My issue with ballroom is that it’s so gratuitous. Look at me, look at me. So much pomp and circumstance for something that doesn’t warrant the explosive response IMO. Minuteslong standing ovations for nothing. It really is not for me, i’m a modest person, and you certainly do not speak for the queer community. Learn to respect people’s opinions who differ from your own."

Yes it is LOOK AT ME! That is the POINT of Ballroom. It arose from Queer Brown people kicked out of their homes as children, not being seen for themselves that led to their murder in the streets that was ignored by authorities. A plague that knocked out so much of a generation of people. Ballroom is Home. It's family. It's creating something from nothing. If Ballroom is not for you, that's fine but you have to respect it. 

Updated On: 3/19/26 at 01:33 AM

[Joyce 9]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:41am

Oh really??  It was unacceptable on this board to like The Queen of Versailles, saying so , you’d get hurled insults.  Jarethan called me a moron the other day for saying Chess is terrible, an opinion that is probably more in the majority.  So yes, people need to respect other’s opinions.  Even when I disagree, I do not call people warts or herpes infection or moron.  

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:44am

Joyce 9 said: "Oh really?? It was unacceptable on this board to like The Queen of Versailles, saying so , you’d get hurled insults. Jarethan called me a moron the other day for saying Chess is terrible, an opinion that is probably more in the majority. So yes, people need to respect other’s opinions. Even when I disagree, I do not call people warts or herpes infection or moron. "

But you are all of those things. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:47am

I saw some pictures of the new set, and now I really hope ALW gets to sit in the DJ booth on opening night. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:04am

TheatreFan4 said: "Joyce 9 said: "Oh really?? It was unacceptable on this board to like The Queen of Versailles, saying so , you’d get hurled insults. Jarethan called me a moron the other day for saying Chess is terrible, an opinion that is probably more in the majority. So yes, people need to respect other’s opinions. Even when I disagree, I do not call people warts or herpes infection or moron. "

But you are all of those things."

Also, the sheer irony of allegedly disliking the so-called “look at me” aspects of C:TJB, while loving QOV, which is literally a show about an entire woman who goes out of her way to ensure people are aware of who she is because of her wealth and the house she is building - including over a decade of appearing multiple TV shows in various capacities

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:26am

Anyone know was the view from front row Mezz? Can you see the downstage area in front of the runway where they took out seats? It looks like it is set up so that a lot of action can take place down there, not sure if that's true.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 6:59am

Joyce 9 said: "Oh really?? It was unacceptable on this board to like The Queen of Versailles, saying so , you’d get hurled insults. Jarethan called me a moron the other day for saying Chess is terrible, an opinion that is probably more in the majority. So yes, people need to respect other’s opinions. Even when I disagree, I do not call people warts or herpes infection or moron. "

But this profile was created just a few days ago. who could this possibly be? Another alternate, multi-personality nutjob that was once BroadwayFlash/Crusty Bagel/Merkin....

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 7:06am

Joyce 9 said: "My issue with ballroom is that it’s so gratuitous. Look at me, look at me. So much pomp and circumstance for something that doesn’t warrant the explosive response IMO. Minuteslong standing ovations for nothing. It really is not for me, i’m a modest person, and you certainly do not speak for the queer community. Learn to respect people’s opinions who differ from your own."

Sure thing, Flash. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 8:02am

Joyce 9 said: "Oh really?? It was unacceptable on this board to like The Queen of Versailles, saying so , you’d get hurled insults. Jarethan called me a moron the other day for saying Chess is terrible, an opinion that is probably more in the majority. So yes, people need to respect other’s opinions. Even when I disagree, I do not call people warts or herpes infection or moron. "

Jackie? Is that you? 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 8:12am

malcs98 said: "quizking101 said: "malcs98 said: "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 callat the end...idk if they did it during the dress rehearsal last night but its about a good 8 minutes"

It ran just as long downtown. The show is padded with extra material related to the ballroom categories plus the extended curtain call. They might tighten the pace, but Bill and Zhailon have had quite a bit of time to sit on this and so I cannot see the fundamental structure being changed. (It may require permission from ALW anyway if they do)"

I absolutely am intrigued to see how many changes Bill and Zhailon make to this, but personally I hope they don't make too many. Yes they can tighten the pace, but partof what made the PAC run so special to begin with was the high energy everyone in that ensemble was creating and what the audience giving back in return. As Junior LaBeija, saysin the pre-show message (which I hope they keep) "I know a lot of you traditional theatre kitties like to sit quietly and hold your reactions in...but this is a BALL darling, and you have full permission to clap, yell, emote and GET. YOUR. LIFE!!!!""

I think I get overstimulated by people who are not actors talking during a show, so I'm happy to skip this. 

[inception]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 9:49am

The Broadway Reddit has quite a few posts with photos from various spots in the theatre.  My impressions from a quick skim through comments just now while on train into work is that it sounds like they made sure that the Mezzanine would have full views of the stage.  In one comment about the on stage seating the poster said they spent a lot of time looking at the back of heads.  People in the front orchestra were happy with their seats.  People in the back orchestra might miss things thst happen on the upper level.  Again this is all second hand as I'm on the West Coast & won't have the opportunity to see for myself until the Autumn. 

[yyys]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 11:55am

How is the view from second row right side orchestra? 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:28pm

I was in the rear orchestra for final dress and you miss anything that happens in the boxes and the moment after Memory is almost entirely missed. You never see the disco ball from back there if that matters to you not seeing the “moon” they keep singing to. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:47pm

I ended up booking one of the box seats. As much as I wanted to do front mezzanine, there's really no comfortable seat up there.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 1:53pm

Just a reminder from my post last night that, while you might miss some elements wherever you sit because of the nature of the show, they are still working fervently to make appropriate tech adjustments over the next week. It’s likely subject to change so early reports of sight lines/missed views may be rectified in the near future.

My friend got me rush, so I’m going again tonight in the rear orchestra. (For those wondering, he was on line at 9am and was 10th in line, 20 by the time of opening. The two seats we got are separate and it’s entirely possible that may be the case for a little while since many people had a similar rush experience yesterday)

[EvanstonDad]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 3:18pm

Is this show accessible to people (like me) who have no idea what queer ballroom subculture is? Seems like a niche show that may struggle to find an audience once those who already know what it is have seen it (name recognition of the ALW musical aside).

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 3:36pm

Have the orchestrations been updated? 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 3:39pm

EvanstonDad said: "Is this show accessible to people (like me) who have no idea what queer ballroom subculture is? Seems like a niche show that may struggle to find an audience once those who already know what it is have seen it (name recognition of the ALW musical aside)."

The opening of act two does a good job of contextualizing a bit of the scene via imagery, but the show itself is about queer joy more than anything, and that doesn’t need explaining. Certainly not any more than humans pirouetting around in feline-themed leotards. I’d argue this version is more accessible, not less.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 3:53pm

EvanstonDad said: "Is this show accessible to people (like me) who have no idea what queer ballroom subculture is? Seems like a niche show that may struggle to find an audience once those who already know what it is have seen it (name recognition of the ALW musical aside)."

I agree that it’s more accessible. It feels more like a party with magnificent talent on display.

Personally, a quick watch of an episode of POSE or PARIS IS BURNING (both under 90 minutes) can help as a primer, but isn’t necessary. Think of it as a beauty pageant, fashion week, and a dance battle rolled into one.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 4:16pm

EvanstonDad said: "Is this show accessible to people (like me) who have no idea what queer ballroom subculture is? Seems like a niche show that may struggle to find an audience once those who already know what it is have seen it (name recognition of the ALW musical aside)."

This is not meant to be snarky in any way but...you have the world at your fingertips. A few quick searches and Wikipedia will get you up to speed along with quizking101's suggestion.

If I am seeing a show with a subject matter or theme/style that I don't know enough about, I do some research before seeing it. I know about ball culture but have been looking things up as people here have been posting names of those associated with it and information about it. (And the bits of information people have been posting about the culture and the people associated with it, and this show, have been great to read and very informative.)

 

[Benj11242]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 4:22pm

Does anyone have any idea what seating in the box is like/or the view from the box? I love the idea of being at a table but definitely don’t want to miss anything! 

[EvanstonDad]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 4:46pm

This is not meant to be snarky in any way but...you have the world at your fingertips. A few quick searches and Wikipedia will get you up to speed along with quizking101's suggestion.

If I am seeing a show with a subject matter or theme/style that I don't know enough about, I do some research before seeing it. I know about ball culture but have been looking things up as people here have been posting names of those associated with it and information about it. (And the bits of information people have been posting about the culture and the people associated with it, and this show, have been great to read and very informative.)

I didn't pose this question so much for my own benefit. I in fact did exactly what you suggested when I saw the description of this and looked up queer ballroom culture for context. But I'm more interested in the business model for a show like this, and how the producers intend to market it to an average theater goer who probably also doesn't have a lot of context and won't put the energy into learning (and may be turned off if they do). It just seems like a particularly risky show to try to sell on Broadway, where it seems like for a show to survive for any length of time it has to appeal to a common denominator of ticket buyers. I'm not saying they shouldn't try and I wish them all the luck in the world, but I would be happily surprised if a show like this finds a large audience longer term.