CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews — Page 18

quizking101 said: "binau said: "I wish we had a documentary of this production almost as a sequel to ‘Paris is burning’. Followed by a pro shot of the whole thing. People joke sometimes offstage is more interesting than on but I suspect this production had both. Maybe it will quickly be forgotten in the general public (shows almost always are anyway) but at least in our niche theatre circles everything about this production from how it got conceived in the first place and how the hell they managed to convince ALW to do this, to the off broadway run, to the Broadway run, to losing the Tony, to the backstage egos and injuries, to the actual presentation of the art itself, and within the context of the current political environment etc. it’s just fascinating.

Can someone at least write a book? Quizking I’m looking at you…"

I’m dead 😂

Anywho, here is Andre’s whole lastentrance - a nice eight minute joy bomb for even the most miserable of forks.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3ap2kOIWS/?igsh=MW43bWxleXE5OTJmbw=="

I'm sitting here at lunch bouncing in my seat, I can feel that energy through the phone!

Lot666 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "The show ended …we got to move on"

Or YOU could move on and let other people continue to discuss something that still interests them. If you don't want to read about this show anymore, just stop clicking the link to this thread."

Uh huh it’s a message board …click click away

Why so much wailing and gnashing of teeth? ...as if Balls never existed before this one, and will never exist again?

If there's one thing that the LGBTQ+ community has proven over and over again, it's that we are a very creative bunch.

EVERYTHING you saw in that now-closed production originated with the LGBTQ+ community, and was adapted into the "...Jellicle Ball" by multiple members of our community (and yes... even I am in that community).

and also, YES... the show was not my cuppa. So what?

You want more of it? Build it and make it happen. It doesn't have to be on Broadway, and by at least some accounts, it played better when it was not.

Updated On: 8/11/26 at 09:07 AM

CoffeeBreak said: "It was the Best Revival of the season hands down. (sorry Ragtime)."



Remember that that is your opinion. I thought it was painful to sit through. When all is said and done, it is still CATS...no plot, mediocre music except for Memory. I was bored out of my mind. I have to acknowledge that the whole drag thing did nothing for me, but that was not the think I disliked. It was CATS.

quizking101 said: "malcs98 said: "alex814 said: "As seen on their Instagram Stories, the cast are in the studio and recording the album today."

Also from watching IG stories from one of the cast members, it sounds like we’re actually getting some of the dialogue/ad-libsfrom this production on this album…and yes that include Dudney’s introducing each “cat-egory” (here’s hoping this also means we get to hear the chants as well)"

I actually thought about this last night. We might get some, but not a lot of them. Not for a lack of time, but rather how much before they would need to credit Dudney as a co-writer as opposed to just “additional material by”."

If they didn't credit Dudney in the playbill for additional material for the actual production, why would it suddenly become a problem for the recording? Genuinely asking; I have very little knowledge of the inner workings of crediting on cast recordings.

Peppa222 said: "quizking101 said: "malcs98 said: "alex814 said: "As seen on their Instagram Stories, the cast are in the studio and recording the album today."

Also from watching IG stories from one of the cast members, it sounds like we’re actually getting some of the dialogue/ad-libsfrom this production on this album…and yes that include Dudney’s introducing each “cat-egory” (here’s hoping this also means we get to hear the chants as well)"

I actually thought about this last night. We might get some, but not a lot of them. Not for a lack of time, but rather how much before they would need to credit Dudney as a co-writer as opposed to just “additional material by”."

If they didn't credit Dudney in the playbill for additional material for the actual production, why would it suddenly become a problemfor the recording? Genuinely asking; I have very little knowledge of the inner workings of crediting on cast recordings."

Dudney has posted himself doing the encore chant on IG. I'm pretty sure all of them are making the OBCC!

quizking101 said: "I assure you they all will likely not. The one you are referring to that is posts currently is of the Old Deuteronomy chant. However, many of the chants are not canon for this production and were often improvised. Posting one does not mean all will be on it.

The more material they add of his, the more of a case for a promotion to a cowriting credit becomes arguable. ALW and co. are going to toe that line as close as they can, especially since Dudney had to fight to get the very small credit he did for “Additional MC Material” in the first place"

I know you enjoy being right about everything, but you're wrong here. Those chants were not improved they were built by Dudney in workshop and approved all the way through Broadway. He spoke about this in his stories. They are very much part of the Jellicle Ball, not the "canon" of Cats. Two different things. Also they wouldn't waste time having him record things in the studio that they won't use. Every millisecond is very expensive. How about we root that it will happen instead of policing what won't?!

Updated On: 8/13/26 at 02:56 PM

The only thing I actually loved about Cats was the dance party after Old Deauteronomy comes on. It’s ridiculously long, campy, amazing and fun. The choreo in that scene is perfection, the lighting was perfection, munkastrap doing his little bit on the mic. It was genuinely a good time. The only thing I loved about Ragtime was father. It’s the only well written role in the show, and the only good scenes were in the house when him and mother are sparring. The rest of the staging was shocking, which is not praise.

Not a weird thing to say if you read it in the manner I think it as intended:

"Sorry Ragtime, I know you won the Tony, but this other show as actually the Best Revival of the season hands down."

Sutton Ross said: "

Except it wasn't according to Tony voters and the majority of people who attended Broadway this past season.

"

Where is that "fact" published...?

We get it - you preferred RAGTIME. We heard you the first 34,000 times.

Someone needs to Google the differences between nonprofit and commercial theatre for the second time today.

quizking101 said: "I assure you they all will likely not. The one you are referring to that is posts currently is of the Old Deuteronomy chant. However, many of the chants are not canon for this production and were often improvised. Posting one does not mean all will be on it.

The more material they add of his, the more of a case for a promotion to a cowriting credit becomes arguable. ALW and co. are going to toe that line as close as they can, especially since Dudney had to fight to get the very small credit he did for “Additional MC Material” in the first place"

Actually I've been having a DM conversation with one of the cast members they told me some exciting info. The album producer (I guess they're referring to Alana de Fonseca) has seen the show multiple times. The band sounds amazing. the vocal sounds amazing. granted they are doing a little pitch correction here and there (which is perfectly normal) but they're very much trying to keep it very much like the ball itself and that definitely includes all of the ad-libs, chants, and dialogue. They wrapped recording yesterday so now its up to the mixing and mastering which as we all know takes a very long time...

for the billionth time

the tony award for best musical _revival_ does not pump ticket sales in any substantial way

jellicle ball winning the tony instead of ragtime would not have altered its (mis)fortunes

the _only_ tony which can give a box office boost

but even that is not guaranteed long term

is the award for best musical

time to accept reality

lick your wounds

and move on



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly