CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews- Page 6
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#125
Posted: 5/9/26 at 10:49am
André was out on Wedsneday matine, I was thinking on seeing the show tomorrow but without knowing for certain that would be him, not gonna risk
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#126
Posted: 5/9/26 at 11:05am
quizking101 said: "I did not know Sherrod T. Brown had departed but it looks like it on Playbill Vault as of Sunday. Not sure what’s going on there, but I know they’ve been actively auditioning for new covers and haven’t found who they needed. I know Bryce Farris is working his ass off basically in a new track every few days - though he’s in the midst of a two week stretch as Tumblebrutus. (Primo is out with a bad injury).
André had called out for the matinee today and Phumzile Sojola made his Old Deuteronomy debut this afternoon with about 3 hours notice. He has a BEAUTIFUL voice, but you could definitely tell he was more restrained in what he did in terms of choreography and engaging with the cats and the costumes were mostly functional as opposed to opulent. With three hours notice, I can’t complain. Good for him!"
Their swing shortage is not a good sign. Lots of covers on last night and for both shows today. Hopefully they can hire & rehearse some new ones quickly.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#127
Posted: 5/9/26 at 5:38pm
Correction: Phumzile Sojola was on this afternoon, but Ken is on tonight. (YAAAASSSSS!) Will report back.
The fact I’ll have cleared all three Old Deuteronomy performers in the span of a week and entirely by accident (I had tickets for Wednesday and tonight already) is actually nuts, even for me.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#128
Posted: 5/10/26 at 1:08pm
I'm surprised no one has brought up Sydney James Harcourt's new press push, which includes a shoot with Playgirl.
I can't remember the last time a performer on Bway so directly embraced (pursued?) a s*x symbol status.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#129
Posted: 5/10/26 at 2:01pm
Last night was an all-skate, with 7 covers in 6 roles (Bryce Farris did a fantastic split Tumblebrutus/Etcetera and really is the crazy glue holding everyone together) I’ll keep it brief and just highlight the two very polarizing moments for me.
The bad - Kendall Grayson Stroud as Mistofflees. Silk is truly a singular talent and their dance vocabulary creates a fully fleshed out character and beautiful imagery through their movements. Kendall barely ticks any of the boxes, despite having gone on quite a bit. They very much blended into the background and some of the Misto moments that are usually highlights because of Silk’s flexibility and stage presence fell incredibly flat. The slow split during the drop of the disco ball was reassigned to Dava, and she nailed it. For MMM’s song, they did a lot of strutting, almost Kardashian-like as it appeared to be without heart, and their pas de deux with Sydney fizzled without chemistry.
The great - Ken Ard as Old Deuteronomy. If you ever get a chance to see him take on the role, it’s an absolutely magical experience. He’s very much cut of the same cloth as André, almost like a natural successor (and looks strikingly similar to him in costume). He also carries a sonorous voice that fills the theatre and commands attention. “Moments of Happiness” made me cry because you can see that the dynamic between him and Sillabub in the show’s context also carries the extra subtext of Ken (the original Macavity) passing down the mantle of CATS to the next generation. If/when André does step down from the role, I hope it goes to Ken. He is truly an understated legend of stage and dance.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#130
Posted: 5/10/26 at 2:05pm
BJR said: "I'm surprised no one has brought up Sydney James Harcourt's new press push, which includes a shoot withPlaygirl.
I can't remember the last time a performer on Bway so directly embraced (pursued?) a s*x symbol status."
Sydney is the perfect cover boy for this show, not only because he is indeed a symbol of sexy confidence (as he mentions this show allowing him to be free on stage in a way he has never been able to before - similar to Luke Evans), but because he is firmly invested in the success of this project and is willing to do anything and everything to get eyes on the show (not just him) so that it can thrive in an otherwise harsh environment.
There is nothing more sexy than an attractive man with a purpose and is passionate about what he does - and the marketing team ABSOLUTELY knows it. At this point, I would love to see a RTT episode of Hot Ones for the sheer comedy of it.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#131
Posted: 5/10/26 at 2:19pm
BJR said: "I'm surprised no one has brought up Sydney James Harcourt's new press push, which includes a shoot withPlaygirl.
I can't remember the last time a performer on Bway so directly embraced (pursued?) a s*x symbol status."
And I am here for it! The man is fine and seems to have a wonderful personality to boot.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#132
Posted: 5/10/26 at 2:22pm
BJR said: "I'm surprised no one has brought up Sydney James Harcourt's new press push, which includes a shoot with Playgirl."
Wow, he's really packed into those white briefs. 
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#133
Posted: 5/10/26 at 2:54pm
ACL2006 said: "quizking101 said: "I did not know Sherrod T. Brown had departed but it looks like it on Playbill Vault as of Sunday. Not sure what’s going on there, but I know they’ve been actively auditioning for new covers and haven’t found who they needed. I know Bryce Farris is working his ass off basically in a new track every few days - though he’s in the midst of a two week stretch as Tumblebrutus. (Primo is out with a bad injury).
André had called out for the matinee today and Phumzile Sojola made his Old Deuteronomy debut this afternoon with about 3 hours notice. He has a BEAUTIFUL voice, but you could definitely tell he was more restrained in what he did in terms of choreography and engaging with the cats and the costumes were mostly functional as opposed to opulent. With three hours notice, I can’t complain. Good for him!"
Their swing shortage is not a good sign. Lots of covers on last night and for both shows today. Hopefully they can hire & rehearse some new ones quickly."
Bryce Farris has had to do split tracks this weekend. Poor guy.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#134
Posted: 5/10/26 at 4:57pm
quizking101 said: "
The great - Ken Ard as Old Deuteronomy. If you ever get a chance to see him take on the role, it’s an absolutely magical experience. He’s very much cut of the same cloth as André, almost like a natural successor (and looks strikingly similar to him in costume). He also carries a sonorous voice that fills the theatre and commands attention. “Moments of Happiness” made me cry because you can see that the dynamic between him and Sillabub in the show’s context also carries the extra subtext of Ken (the original Macavity) passing down the mantle of CATS to the next generation. If/when André does step down from the role, I hope it goes to Ken. He is truly an understated legend of stage and dance."
If there's another plus, from what I see on Instagram he fits in all of Andre's costumes too.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#135
Posted: 5/10/26 at 6:27pm
Those are almost certainly Ken's own costumes as he is quite a bit taller than Andre.
I echo what quizking said. Ard is a really phenomenal Old Deuteronomy, had the audience in the palm of his hand from his first entrance and an incredibly powerful voice.
Will never understand how Tempress wasn't nominated, but such is life.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#136
Posted: 5/10/26 at 10:21pm
BJR said: "I'm surprised no one has brought up Sydney James Harcourt's new press push, which includes a shoot withPlaygirl.
I can't remember the last time a performer on Bway so directly embraced (pursued?) a s*x symbol status."
He was a guest on the Dads and Daddies podcast the end of April. Guaranteed to leave you hot and bothered.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Review - 1 Minute Critic#137
Posted: 5/10/26 at 11:18pm
He used to post himself and Jonathan going to The Eagle back during the Downtown run, go try your luck there!
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#138
Posted: 5/11/26 at 11:04am
Broadway’s ’Cats’ Has Never Been This Cool
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/broadway-cats-revival-1236586791/
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#139
Posted: 5/12/26 at 3:59pm
It's insane to me to say this, but CATS is the best musical on Broadway right now.
I don't know who had the idea of make a ballroom Cats, but it just works in a perfect analogy. Maybe those outcasts are black and latin people from the 80's that had to deal with racism and things like HIV and never had a chance to actually live the life they deserved.
But to turn this metaphor in a big, bright and genuinely fantastic night of queer celebration is right down perfection.
Every decision that Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch did for this show was able to turn even the most boring number in a captivating way of seeing how queer bodies are so vibrant and alive.
Costumes, choreography, some entrances (André!) are simply stunning and I was NOT prepared to have a trans black woman singing ''a new day begin'', then receiving a chance to have a new life and have a stairs come down all the way though that ceiling. Probably my most jaw dropping moment this entire journey.
I almost bought a ticket to see it again, that's how much I loved this one.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#140
Posted: 5/12/26 at 10:17pm
Just got out of the show after having seen it twice downtown and really enjoyed myself. It still holds up just as well as it did then, although the crowd on a Tuesday was surprisingly lively, but felt reserved. The lack of intimacy at a venue like the Broadhurst was always bound to be a challenge, though.
Judges tonight were Eva and Reeve. There were a few Hadestown Easter eggs in the dialogue throughout the show that had those in on it chuckling along.
I’d also like to give them both a lot of respect for how kind and gracious they were to every person that came up to them before the show or walking up the aisle at intermission. They both seem like lovely people - glad to see their careers doing well.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#141
Posted: 5/14/26 at 3:34am
From the UK here. What am I not understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and many say the best reviewed musical of the season..
Is there a disconnect between critics initially recognising 'cultural impact' but then dissecting individual elements for 'Best' qualities and deciding that they....disagree with their reviews after all? Even with that, I'd expect 'Best Revival' to be the place where that overall impact and cultural phenomenon can get a nod.
From what I've heard here, and on other messageboards, people are going to 'Chess' to hear "those songs" - without many thinking it's a great production. Yet, it's nominated in Revival.
I hope it's not a case of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' being 'let in' to Broadway by the gatekeepers, but given a table by the kitchen.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#142
Posted: 5/14/26 at 3:45am
Jimbob2 said: "From the UKhere. What am Inot understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and manysay the best reviewed musical of the season..
Is there a disconnect between criticsinitially recognising 'cultural impact' but thendissecting individual elements for 'Best' qualities and deciding that they....disagree with their reviews after all? Even with that, I'd expect 'Best Revival' to be the place wherethatoverall impact and cultural phenomenon can get a nod.
From what I've heard here,and on other messageboards, people are going to 'Chess' to hear "those songs" - without many thinking it's a great production. Yet, it's nominated in Revival.
I hope it's not a case of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' being 'let in' to Broadway by the gatekeepers, but givena table by the kitchen.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball was not eligible this season because it already was off-Broadway last season.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#143
Posted: 5/14/26 at 9:43am
bear882 said: "Jimbob2 said: "From the UKhere. What am Inot understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and manysay the best reviewed musical of the season..
Is there a disconnect between criticsinitially recognising 'cultural impact' but thendissecting individual elements for 'Best' qualities and deciding that they....disagree with their reviews after all? Even with that, I'd expect 'Best Revival' to be the place wherethatoverall impact and cultural phenomenon can get a nod.
From what I've heard here,and on other messageboards, people are going to 'Chess' to hear "those songs" - without many thinking it's a great production. Yet, it's nominated in Revival.
I hope it's not a case of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' being 'let in' to Broadway by the gatekeepers, but givena table by the kitchen.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball was not eligible this season because it already was off-Broadway last season.
"
The production as a whole wasn’t eligible for revival, but they were considered for technical elements that were substantially changed/different from the off Broadway production, hence why Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles are the first choreographers to be nominated back to back for the same show.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#144
Posted: 5/14/26 at 10:46am
Finally got the chance to see it, and must say... folks, however good you've heard this is, it's better. As a complete newbie to Cats, but someone who understood what the concept was (and heavily disliked it), I was encouraged to no end to see this. I thought that it surely was overblown, that they couldn't fix a concept I fundamentally hated. I was so, so, so wrong.
The thing is -- I wasn't hooked immediately. For the first 15-20 minutes, I was enjoying myself, but I was thinking "I don't know how to feel about this. I don't know that it's as great as everyone is saying." But by the time Sydney James Harcourt had finished his solo, something had clicked into place and I got it. From then on, I was having an absolute blast. And yes, this production is absolutely as fun and celebratory as you've heard -- but it's also far deeper than I'd been led to believe. There are some incredible moments that led me to contemplate the history of drag as a whole, the way our industry casts aside older performers (a theme tackled so much better here than in the recent Sunset revival, I must say), and what struck me most was the way the show portrays rising above it and supporting and uplifting each other as artists and people. It's certainly still Cats, with all the things that come with that title (including some rough sound design where I was losing a lot of lyrics despite being in the front and center orchestra), but it's also so much more than that. I wept multiple times and yeah... this might just be the best thing on Broadway right now.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#145
Posted: 5/14/26 at 10:55am
Jimbob2 said: "From the UKhere. What am Inot understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and manysay the best reviewed musical of the season..
"
I don't know what the theater awards ecosystem is like in the UK, but in NYC it is a confusing patchwork of different awards bodies that often have idiosyncratic or conflicting rules and eligibility, as well as entirely different voting bodies that sometimes are not at all representative of the industry. One of the major divergent points between the Tony Awards and most of the smaller awards is that the latter often consider both Broadway and off-Broadway together. This means productions that premiere off-Broadway- like Jellicle Ball- will often be eligible for awards like the Drama Desks a season or two before they move to Broadway and become eligible for the Tonys, which results in these productions being largely ineligible for most of these awards while campaigning for the Tony.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#146
Posted: 5/14/26 at 10:38pm
Per Instagram, Primo was back as Tumblebrutus tonight after being out for 2.5 weeks with a labrum tear and hip impingement.
Glad he’s better.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#147
Posted: 5/15/26 at 4:17am
quizking101 said: "Per Instagram, Primo was back as Tumblebrutus tonight after being out for 2.5 weeks with a labrum tear and hip impingement.
Glad he’s better."
I’m glad he is better too. The funny thing about being pretty unfamiliar with Cats is that many of the character names still don’t ring a bell two months after seeing the revival. But I wasn’t confused at all as the show played out.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#148
Posted: 5/21/26 at 8:11am
My husband and I saw the evening performance on 5/16/26 and found it to be everything the reviews have said: pure joy from start to finish. Grizabella's ascent to the heaviside layer was spectacular, and Sydney James Harcourt was...
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Reviews#149
Posted: 5/21/26 at 9:57am
It’s ineligible this year (was last year)
Jimbob2 said: "From the UKhere. What am Inot understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and manysay the best reviewed musical of the season..
Is there a disconnect between criticsinitially recognising 'cultural impact' but thendissecting individual elements for 'Best' qualities and deciding that they....disagree with their reviews after all? Even with that, I'd expect 'Best Revival' to be the place wherethatoverall impact and cultural phenomenon can get a nod.
From what I've heard here,and on other messageboards, people are going to 'Chess' to hear "those songs" - without many thinking it's a great production. Yet, it's nominated in Revival.
I hope it's not a case of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' being 'let in' to Broadway by the gatekeepers, but givena table by the kitchen.
"
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