CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews- Page 8
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#175
Posted: 4/2/26 at 12:36pm
MadsonMelo said: "Aside from André, who else do you think can get a Tony nom for this?
Will be seeing this one on May 9."
I think Tempress Chasity Moore is the most likely. I also would not rule out Sydney Harcourt because they’ve definitely beefed up his stage time from off-Broadway.
One thing to note is that you won’t find CATS competing for the undercard awards (OCCs, DDs) since they’ve already competed last year and so likely only new elements (of which there aren’t many) would be considered. Same with TITANIQUE.
The newer musicals will have their own little buzz period, but I expect CATS to clear the board in most categories for nominations. (Revival, F. Actor, F. Actress, Costumes, Lighting, Sound, Orchestrations, Choreography)
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#176
Posted: 4/2/26 at 2:27pm
Speaking of seating, I sat second row mezz stage left and for a good deal through TodayTix. Pretty close to the aisle, but the seat was perfect! Or, should I say: purrrrrrfect.
....I'll see myself out.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#177
Posted: 4/2/26 at 4:05pm
I scored a late afternoon rush ticket the other evening. The seat was Orchestra, House Left and noted it was a partial/obstructed view seat. For the most part, it was a pretty good view of most of the performing area, but any action that happened on the Stage Right audience section and stairs was obscured. You also do not have any view of the DJ in the booth/House Left Box. I'm not sure if the viewpoint would be similar from House Right, but Gus spends a great deal of time lording over the proceedings from a Box on the right side of the Mezzanine + more stage business happens Stage Left.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#178
Posted: 4/2/26 at 4:29pm
As for front mezzanine seating, better view from house left or right?
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#179
Posted: 4/2/26 at 6:04pm
I don’t think it really matters if you’re in the first two or three rows.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#180
Posted: 4/2/26 at 8:16pm
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#181
Posted: 4/2/26 at 10:11pm
As someone who saw it multiple times downtown, from the right mezz seats by the dj and both the left and right sides of the runway, I found the Broadway staging disappointing, which may have been due to my seat. I wanted to do side mezz but my friend wanted more of a deal, so we did side right orchestra, either row F or G, on the end for $59. The view was fine, but after the downtown experience of feeling immersed in the show, this felt very distant, very much watching something happening away from me, even though we could see most of it clearly and the cast members were using a curtain a few feet away. It may not feel that way if you didn't see the PAC staging so are experiencing it for the first time, but if you have, I'd recommend avoiding the far side orchestra.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#182
Posted: 4/2/26 at 10:13pm
The fact that they removed the makeout session between RTT and MMM is homophobic lol. I was looking forward to it so much.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#183
Posted: 4/2/26 at 10:21pm
YvanEhtNioj said: "The fact that they removed the makeout sessionbetween RTT and MMMis homophobic lol. I was looking forward to it so much."
The one letdown lol
I just got out and this last year and a half has done Tempress's voice so f*cking good. She legitimately sounded amazing tonight.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#184
Posted: 4/2/26 at 10:26pm
YvanEhtNioj said: "The fact that they removed the makeout sessionbetween RTT and MMMis homophobic lol. I was looking forward to it so much."
It was there in early previews. Considering sickness going around the cast and that people have been in and out, I think it’s just a temporary thing until everyone feels better.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#185
Posted: 4/2/26 at 10:50pm
Ahhhh that’s valid.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/13/09
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#186
Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:08pm
YvanEhtNioj said: "The fact that they removed the makeout sessionbetween RTT and MMMis homophobic lol. I was looking forward to it so much."
They kissed last night - but Kendall Stroud was on for MMM
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#187
Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:16pm
I was watching Leiomy bop around in her bob tonight and I was like... Sasha Colby could be Macavity...
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#188
Posted: 4/3/26 at 8:36am
I hope we get a cast recording of these arrangements!
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#189
Posted: 4/3/26 at 8:45am
Michael9 said: "I hope we get a cast recording of these arrangements!"
They were recording this week or last week apparently. A few cast members posted pictures.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#190
Posted: 4/3/26 at 9:40am
Caught this last night. Thrilling, electric, and so on. Was wondering how this would transfer, and honestly, I think I enjoyed the condensed space more than the sprawling openness of PAC. The energy was through the roof. Guest judges were Jeremy Pope and a current mother of a ballroom house, but I didn't quite catch who.
Of all the genius of this reimagining, I think Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are one of the highlights of the night. So smartly conceptualized and a joy to watch. Leiomy also brought the place down anytime she was featured. What presence! The whole cast was really firing on all cylinders. Now having seen all four musical revivals, it would be an utter shame if this didn't walk away with the Tony.
Also, the upgrades! The costumes! And one of the biggest gasps of the night for me was
the spiral staircase coming down from the ceiling. Absolutely gorgeous and a total step up from the drawbridge type setup they had off-Broadway.
All in all, a glorious night! What theatre is all about.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#191
Posted: 4/3/26 at 11:09am
I was there last night as well. I was fully convinced this wouldn’t work on Broadway. The piecemeal press rollout didn’t inspire much confidence either.
I’m more than happy to eat crow this morning, because it’s somehow better on Broadway. It fits in the Broadhurst perfectly, and everything has been dialed up to 11 for the transfer, in all the right ways. From a technical standpoint, the sound design, costumes, and choreography are real standouts. There were a few diction issues across the cast, but at the end of the day…it’s CATS. The show don't make no sense any damn way, so it really didn't hinder the experience.
The performances are terrific across the board, especially Dava Huesca as Rumpleteazer, Bryson Battle as Jellylorum, and Tempress Chastity Moore as Grizabella. Her “Memory” absolutely brought the house down. The talent and sheer exuberance of this cast are infectious.
I had such an absolute ball (no pun intended) and can’t wait to go back. The fact that this electric production practically shares a wall with the lethargic BEACHES should be studied by scientists.
I never thought I’d say CATS is the savior this theater season so desperately needed, but here we are.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#192
Posted: 4/3/26 at 12:13pm
What do we think…is there a chance this could win best revival? I thought Ragtime had it wrapped up….
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#193
Posted: 4/3/26 at 12:16pm
Alexander Lamar said: "What do we think…is there a chance this could win best revival? I thought Ragtime had it wrapped up…."
CATS should be the frontrunner. RAGTIME is wonderful, but the show isn't reinvented in any way. CATS is a completely different take from the original.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#194
Posted: 4/4/26 at 7:46am
Billy Eichner and Lea DeLaria were Friday night’s guest judges. Though the idea of guest judges is borrowed from the real deal, the set up bombs at the Broadhurst. Would have liked to have heard a line or two from the judges.
Otherwise, LOVED the show, especially the simple shower of DJ sparkle that opens the show, and the reprise of the sparkle when the DJ bids farewell to Grizabella.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#195
Posted: 4/4/26 at 9:32am
Just a question? Does the POSING get repetitive and boring , Cats in itself is repetitive musically so I cant understand how this sustains interest after the first 10 or 15 minutes of being wowed by the moves. The version of MEMORY is spectacular , I was surprised how good it was sung. I am curious if this is just something people love of just feel they have to love to seem cool...thanks for any responses. I want to see this so bad to see for myself
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#196
Posted: 4/4/26 at 9:35am
Loved this in both venues but thought it actually worked better at the PAC where the runway could be the star of the show. Somehow the staging felt more chaotic on Broadway.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#197
Posted: 4/4/26 at 10:04am
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Loved this in both venues but thought it actually worked better at the PAC where the runway could be the star of the show. Somehow the staging felt more chaotic on Broadway."
I didn't see this at the PAC, but I also used the word "chaotic" back when I posted my initial thoughts. There was just A LOT going on at any given moment, and I found it hard to know where to focus my attention at times - sounds like I'm in the minority with that take though.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#198
Posted: 4/4/26 at 11:22am
I suppose Ragtime will get its recognition from a couple or a few acting awards but Cats will win Best Musical revival......the last time I recall a 'classic' traditional revival winning best musical revival over an avant garde reinvention was South Pacific (ironically) at LCT instead of the Roundabout/Menier Chocolate Sunday in the Park (200
. But this was a unique case because the idea of putting on a big budget classic musical of something that was previously considered unrevivable was the avant garde idea. Other than that, it often seems to go to a reinvention (e.g. Sunset, Company, arguably Merrily, Oklahoma, Once on this Island, Pippin etc.)
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews#199
Posted: 4/4/26 at 11:29am
bwayphreak234 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Loved this in both venues but thought it actually worked better at the PAC where the runway could be the star of the show. Somehow the staging felt more chaotic on Broadway."
I didn't see this at the PAC, but I also used the word "chaotic" back when I posted my initial thoughts. There was just A LOT going on at any given moment, and I found it hard to know where to focus my attention at times - sounds like I'm in the minority with that take though."
I think that’s more or less the point. At an actual ball, there might be a place to focus briefly, but everything everywhere is going on all at once. You’ll have people drinking, throwing shade in the corner, getting dressed, kiki-ing with others, etc. That’s also what makes repeat trips from different vantage points a positive is that you’ll always see something new.
Re: bryan2’s question about the choreo - it is far more than “posing”. Ballroom is a variety of categories, that can include everything from old and new way voguing, to runway walking, to very intricate and athletic choreography. Arturo and Omari, both coming from ballroom, know exactly the right language to keep the show true to its ballroom roots while honoring the balletic spirit of the original production and balance the two in the theatrical idiom.
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