CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews- Page 3

[Seb28]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:11pm

TheatreFan4 said: "Seb28 said: "TheatreFan4 said: "to say Cats on its own is more Queer than Jellicle Ball."

Yes, we might have different visions of the word "queer". I think the original Cats is extremely queer. To me, it means more than acting as cheap/trashy as possible. It's layered, fun and classy. In fact, what they do in Jellicle Ball has absolutely nothing to do with it.

"

No, you're just dumb and uninformed."


I think I just have more respect for the community than you do.

Updated On: 4/8/26 at 08:11 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:41pm

Seb28 said: "I think I just have more respect for the community than you do."

The community that wishes nothing to do with you.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 10:39pm

This show is 10s across the board!!! 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 10:41pm

blaxx said: "MemorableUserName said: "Genuinely curious...is anyone surprised it got raves? Wasn't this expected after the raves for the 2024 production?

For comparison, the PAC reviews (which BWW calculated to 85%)

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-CATS-THE-JELLICLE-BALL-Opens-Off-Broadway-20240620"

More than anything, is everyone still hating on Cats? Or have they admitted the material wasn't the issue?"

THAT PART!!!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 10:51pm

TheatreFan4 said: "broadfan327 said: "
I was never a fan of Cats, this production made me forget I was watching Cats during much of it."

Says more about you than it does about the show because this is all very much STILL Cats."

THAnK YOU!!! 
 

How the f*ck do you watch this and not know it’s f*cking CATS!!! SMDH 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:01pm

I wish my dear friend and mentor Willi Ninja was alive to witness this….

[theblackumbrella]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 12:32pm

I saw it yesterday and really enjoyed it. My mouth dropped a couple times at how impressive the performers were. Demeter and Bombalrina both had great stage presence and voices. The first half I thought was a little thin because when cats are competing the choreography gets repetitive - duck walking and death drops are cool, but I wish there was more variance. When we get to group choreography the dances really sing and Cats is all about spectacle. The Macavity number really does well to make it a fashion spectacle. I’m glad I listened to the cast recording before so the lyrics were loosely in my mind. 
 

I think this might come close to tying and or breaking LCT’s 2008 revival of South Pacific at the Tonys.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 1:25pm

I think it’s going to depend on how the remaining musicals of the season are received. As of right now, it is currently eligible for ten of twelve possible cat-egories:

- Musical Revival*

- Direction*

- Featured Actor*

- Featured Actress*

- Choreography*

- Orchestrations

- Scenic Design*

- Costume Design*

- Lighting Design*

I think it will likely pull off at least 9 nominations, depending on how many performers they enter into Featured Actor/Actress. The only one I’m unsure about them getting into is Orchestrations, because I can’t imagine the nomination committee thinking it’s the same orchestrations with a club remix and thus not truly different.

I think it definitely is a lock to win Choreography and Costume Design, and is a strong favorite for Revival and Featured Actor (either add Shields or Harcourt), but the rest are too early to call for me.

[east side story]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 1:50pm

Not a fan of this piece, but after these reviews, I had to get a ticket. Had a similar situation with Sunet BLVD, and that ended up being my favorite show last season. Very excited to see this!

[binau]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 5:41am

I find it interesting that people still want to peddle the idea that "It's still CATS" as if it's a bad thing. The Cats score isn't like a lot of the filler (in my opinion) in Sunset Boulevard that Jamie Lloyd had to find a way to work around. The Cats score is very good ALW in his peak artistic output - that extremely unique and odd sounding Overture, the melody of "jellicle cats" which once you add a bit of a beat to it is such an uplifting anthem, I really want an expanded remix of this to start making the rounds of gay clubs.. Iconic songs like "Memory" etc. I believe that this production works BECAUSE it's Cats not in spite of it. Do we really need 'better' music than this? 

What this production solves is the fundamental flaw that many people just don't buy in the original concept of the show of having CATS in literal cat costumes and taking the material so seriously. It was kind of the but of all jokes for how ridiculous musicals are. And the movie didn't help. This production allows the material to now breathe across a whole range of new emotions - it's fun, silly but still carries an emotional heart. Like Jamie Loyd did with Sunset, it actually makes the material 'cool'. Did anyone imagine 5 years ago that ALW would suddenly be 'cool' with major revelatory productions of Sunset, Evita, Cats, Starlight and Phantom? Especially after 'Cinderella' and 'Bad Cinderella' seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. 

I will admit I used to be one of those pretentious people that loved clinging onto the musical and lyrical sophistication of Sondheim vs ALW, but I think we have to move on now. The times have changed. ALW is entering the public zeitgeist again in the most impressive ways, and although I would defend Sondheim to death it is impossible to ignore that what ALW is achieving with these productions has created a theatrical experience for audiences that Sondheim could only dream of. 

Updated On: 4/11/26 at 05:41 AM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 6:09am

Yes but...hasn't that always been the case? ALW has always been the more mainstream, popular creator when compared to Sondheim -- especially in a commercial aspect. And so much of this "reevaluation" of ALW's work stems from pretty radical reinterpretations of his work -- and his work itself has barely been altered. It's the production around it that has changed, and hit a nerve with the times. I don't think anyone is seriously analyzing the scores with new eyes -- and he wasn't known as a lyricist either.

Whilst I greatly enjoy a lot of ALW's work, Sondheim tickles the brain and touches the soul in many ways the former can't. I wouldn't directly tie artistic merit with commercial viability.

Updated On: 4/11/26 at 06:09 AM

[binau]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 7:18am

I agree mostly I mean unless we have a new talent (LMM and JRB might be the closest but still not quite) I think Sondheim will remain in an exceptional class on its own.

But where I am questioning is exactly the point that you're suggesting no one is seriously looking at his scores with new eyes....well I am personally (music not lyrics). 

As you suggest, his work is largely unchanged in these productions and yet seems to be working so much better. Is it possible that part of the ALW curse has been having too many terrible cheesy productions, wrongly toned or wrong casting that frame his work all wrong? Not just some of the originals but also the last generation of revivals. 

If these productions were the original productions, would the theatre community have a completely different view of ALW today? I think they would, personally. 

All the Sondheim original productions had absolutely masterful iconic directors and productions (e.g. Hal Prince & James Lapine). Is it also a coincidence or not that ALW's Hal Prince shows (Phantom & Evita) seem to stand above say the Trevor Nunn shows? 

From the very beginning, Sondheim had world class collaborators. Sunday in the Park had not just his score, but had Bernadette, Mandy, and James Lapine. Sunset with Nicole & Jamie Lloyd did touch my soul in a way that is close to the best of Sondheim......"with one look" and "as if we never said goodbye" much closer to the feeling I get with "Losing My Mind" or "Stay With Me" for example than I felt previously.

My perception has been slowly evolving from "ALW is cheesy, commercial trash" to "ok maybe ALW is a talented composer and melodist who can create the right emotion and atmosphere with his music with the right production/cast and deserves some credit"....

 

 



 

Updated On: 4/11/26 at 07:18 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 9:58am

TheatreMonkey said: "Whilst I greatly enjoy a lot of ALW's work, Sondheim tickles the brain and touches the soul in many ways the former can't."

My feeling is completely contradictory. ALW tickles my brain and touches my soul in ways that Sondheim never could.

 

[hayden6]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 11:36am

I got tickets for the first performance post-Tonys — feels like it’s going to be the place to be!

[jasmiinda]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 1:11pm

Is this show doing signed windows cards for BCEFA or no?

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 1:39pm

jasmiinda said: "Is this show doing signed windows cards for BCEFA or no?"

I don’t believe so. They just opened this week so I can’t imagine they have had the time to gather and sign windowcards. I’m here for the matinee so I’ll check back.

[jasmiinda]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 2:21pm

quizking101 said: "jasmiinda said: "Is this show doing signed windows cards for BCEFA or no?"

I don’t believe so. They just opened this week so I can’t imagine they have had the time to gather and sign windowcards. I’m here for the matinee so I’ll check back."

I figured, but I wasnt sure. Thanks

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/11/26 at 6:51pm

jasmiinda said: "quizking101 said: "jasmiinda said: "Is this show doing signed windows cards for BCEFA or no?"

I don’t believe so. They just opened this week so I can’t imagine they have had the time to gather and sign windowcards. I’m here for the matinee so I’ll check back."

I figured, but I wasnt sure. Thanks"

They are not. 

Also, B. Noel Thomas made her Broadway principal debut this afternoon as Bustopher Jones!

Updated On: 4/11/26 at 06:51 PM

[Michael9]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 5:51pm

Any intel on a cast recording?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 6:31pm

Performance from the company on GMA this Tuesday, April 21. 

[rburton66]

Posted: 4/20/26 at 2:28am

I was thinking of doing a 5 PM Sunday show of this and then running down to the 7:30 of Schmigadoon. They’re listing the runtime as 2 hours and 25 minutes. Can anyone tell me if this sounds feasible or just psychotic?

[supersam1026]

Posted: 4/20/26 at 8:12am

I was there yesterday. Show was at 3pm, was on the street at 5:45pm. Don't think you'll have time to make it to Schmigadoon unfortunately.

[kurtal]

Posted: 4/20/26 at 9:31am

Agreed.  I saw last Wednesday's matinee.  They didn't start until 2:14, and we weren't out of the theatre until 4:45.  You could technically make it work, but you'll almost certainly be seated late at Schmigadoon.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/20/26 at 10:05am

rburton66 said: "I was thinking of doing a 5 PM Sunday show of this and then running down to the 7:30 of Schmigadoon. They’re listing the runtime as 2 hours and 25 minutes. Can anyone tell me if this sounds feasible or just psychotic?"

Not a chance in hell. You don’t want to skip the curtain call and, unless you are on an aisle, the Broadhurst is one of the hardest theatres to exit quickly.

However, I think doing the opposite of Schmigadoon first would be entirely feasible since CATS usually starts about 10 minutes late.

[rburton66]

Posted: 4/20/26 at 3:07pm

Thanks all! Sounds like you saved me a lot of stress.