CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews- Page 4

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:35pm

I love the idea that the drag element is what people would find confusing and offputting, and not three hours of singing cats.

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:47pm

The alternative to taking risks being….?

[John Adams]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:50pm

EvanstonDad said: "I didn't pose this question so much for my own benefit. [...] I'm more interested in the business model for a show like this [...] but I would be happily surprised if a show like this finds a large audience longer term."

I share your interest. This show is definitely not for an audience of "me"s (or possibly "you"s). I don't think that's a problem, though.

I think it's possible that this show is/was never meant for a long-term run like "Cats". I suspect that producers looked at its run off-broadway and calculated how long it would need to run on Broadway to make a substantial profit. I think they calculated, then made a decision that a Broadway run would likely meet their profit goal.

Also, I think the show probably doesn't need to rely on an audience of "me"s (or even to try to encourage me into the theater).  I'll bet they've already calculated prospective tourist box office, as well as prospective repeat audience members, and are satisfied that the show will be lucrative. 

The adjectives and phrases I read in this thread (beyond those of the obvious troll's) include:

• accessible
• "like a party"
• "Ballroom is Home. It's family. It's creating something from nothing. "
• "the show itself is about queer joy more than anything"

...and of course those previously mentioned catch-phrases that (if there's a competent person in charge of stock, and the stock is of good quality) will certainly up-sell the box office. (I may not have phrased that coherently.)

It's not been mentioned, but I see a potential for "stunt-casting" and even audience participation (similar to TRHPS) that could assist in creating a longer run. Who knows?

It's not my cup of tea, but it doesn't need to be so, "God Bless". 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:50pm

EvanstonDad said: "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 andwon'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."

I do not see any scenario where this is not a major, major hit. I don’t usually see first previews, but I was there last night and the atmosphere was electric. I have never seen such a reaction to a show, anywhere, ever. It was amazing and it is the most unique experience currently on Broadway. Don’t miss it. 

[getatme]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:58pm

Still coming down from the high of first preview, but what a night it was.

I saw this production downtown a couple of times and loved it then, and my love for it has only grown. There are some adjustments to be made -- especially to the sound -- but what this cast did at the Broadhurst last night was nothing short of miraculous. For my money, this has always been the 2024 ALW revival that deserved the praise.

The transfer of the set to the Broadhurst was relatively seamless, a few things they still need to iron out, but the cast is running all over the orchestra level and dancing in the aisles pretty much non-stop. It still feels immersive in the same way it did downtown. 

The choreo is athletic, exciting, and beautifully melds the traditional with the ballroom style. Should be a relatively easy Tony win.

The performances of the whole cast, including the new additions, have deepened and grown and I can see any number of them snagging a Tony nomination. Andre De Shields is commanding and fun, Sydney James Harcourt is sexy and mesmerizing, Junior LaBeija is a living breathing legend, "Tempress" Chasity Moore delivers the most emotionally resonant "Memory" I have ever heard. And everyone in between is just thrilling to watch. A massive shoutout to Baby Byrne who is just an absolutely stunning dancer.

The concept has been clarified a bit more, the guest judges are handled much better, and the whole thing is just so beautiful and joyous it was hard not to get swept up in the energy of the room.

Cannot wait to revisit this again in a couple of weeks and I wish the entire company a long and successful run.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 5:59pm

As to sightlines and environmental staging in general: I'm old enough to have seen the first big Candide revival that Prince did at BAM and moved to the gutted and re-seated Broadway Theatre. I believe Prince freely admitted that the goal was a submersive experience; you weren't supposed to necessarily see everything as it unfolded, but to feel participatory. Connected more than a mere witness. I felt the same atmosphere at Great Comet at the Imperial. I could be wrong, but I suspect it's the goal here, and I'm fine with it.

Reminting this show for a new generation, a new community's ownership, I ask: why not? It's a testament to something no one likes to admit about Cats: it's always been an examination of community, about a tribe, and the benefits of membership, even when fleeting, even when redefined on the spot. Hell, Hair had the same message. My eyes blur typing that out, because it's a profound universal. I'm thrilled for all those thrilled by this. 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 6:58pm

I’ll say this - I have had numerous people in my day-to-day life who are not only asking about this show, but asking when I can go with them to see it. 

These are people I can’t get to watch a musical if it would save their lives. I’m even worried/wondering if they may not know that what they’re asking about IS a musical. I’m not mentioning it though, I’m just saying yes…pick a date. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 9:21pm

re: the accessibility of the show

I first saw it downtown with only a passing idea of what ballroom was--I knew there were houses and they were like family and that they'd compete but that was about it.  The choreographic style was fairly new to me (though some of it has carried over into more mainstream mediums), and I had no clue that categories were a thing.  Some like old way/new way confused me as well, but I was happy to just go along with it.

And none of that really mattered because really this is just a celebration of joy and of performance.  The music is fantastic, and seeing how it can be reconceptualized in such a radical way but still work was a huge win for me, and I went home excited to learn more about ballroom culture and basically booked my return ticket right away.

I think this is a show that will build hype as it goes, and they seem to have a great marketing team in place to show the environment of the show, with the full curtain call video and the videos from stage door.  I think people will see the kinds of promo they do and think "hey that sounds cool, I want to see what that's about", and it's tangential enough to drag race to get those fans at least curious about it.

On another note though, I'm sad that they seemed to have gotten rid of the rainbow fans in merch.  I was hoping for a wider selection of fan options, not just one fan.

[Owen22]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 1:31am

Joyce 9 said: "I really disliked this at PAC and know several people who didn’t like it either. Without spectacle, thechoreography (ballet, jazz, tap), the amazing set, and hair and makeup, this musicaldoesn’t have anything going for it.They scrubbed the showof everything good and replaced it with arm movements and bad vocals, the woman singing memory was totally off pitch. It’s all so pedestrian, do they still have the slide show to open act two? Hahaha so cringe."

Your racism and homophobia (whether or not its internalized) is what's cringe. That you would even attempt to dampen the joy experienced by those around you (besides your obviously equally socially out of touch friends) by coming on these boards and work out your, what? Jealousy how you feel so left behind? that you had to spread your own negativity here? Begone before someone drops a house on you.

[inception]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 9:27am

Curious how the tables by the DJ booth are as they don't seem to be priced extravagantly.