Cats or Waitress

[BroadwayNYC25]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 2:56pm

I'm planning on seeing a show early next month and I can't choose between Cats and Waitress. Although Waitress doesn't have it full OBC I would love to see Jenna Ushkowitz. My decision depends on the following factors:

When will the cats OBC start leaving?

When will Jessie Mueller leave?

When will Jenna Ushkowitz leave?

Which show is better?

[ethan231h]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 2:58pm

Jenna leaves at the end of the month. Waitress is 10x better then Cats imo

[BroadwayNYC25]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:05pm

Sources? I couldn't find anything that says that.

[@z5]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:07pm

Depends also if you can't a cliche love story... it is a good show, but dragged a bit at times. Or Cats with tremendous and amazing choreography as well as incredible set design. They're not really comparable shows.

[ethan231h]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:11pm

BroadwayNYC25 said: "Sources? I couldn't find anything that says that.

 

"

Its been mentioned on the boards here and she said it in reply to an instagram comment. 

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:19pm

Her last performance is september 4

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:29pm

Jessie Mueller probably has a contract for a year, so she'll be in it until spring '17. Of course she could always extend, I think she was in Beautiful longer? Or she could have negotiated a shorter contract if she has anything else lined up... which is possible but nothing I would have heard anything about. I think it's pretty save to say she'll at the very least be in it until the end of the year, quite possibly longer.

Like others have said, Jenna is only filling in for Kimiko Glenn, so if you really wanna see her, this might be your only chance... if you get to the city at all before she leaves again.

 

In my book, Waitress is the better show. But like was said before, they are vastly different. One is pretty much a dance show with not too much of a book that's all about... well... Cats. And the other is a more traditional musical in form, but with music by Sara Bairellis (did I spell that right?). It's story about love and friendship with amazing performances all around and I can't get the music out of my head. Definitely one of my favorite shows of last season.

I should add that while I have seen Cats, it was not this production.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:32pm

I saw Waitress last night and Cats the night before.   Can't believe I'm saying this because I've been trained to hate Cats but I think I enjoyed Cats more.  

The best thing about Waitress, by far, was comedic stuff that Keala got to do.  She was hilarious.  Jenna's stuff was funny but it was very one note.  As was the neurotic for the sake of being neurotic performance of Fitzgerald.  Jessie took a backseat to all these people.   The story would have worked better as a Julia Roberts movie circa 1990.  That being said, if you are a sucker for a good, satisfying ending, then Waitress should win  

The music in Cats was far superior. The choregraphy was interesting, eye catching, and exciting.  So much to look at and think about.  In a word, Cats was entertaining.  

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:35pm

Waitress.  It's lovely, but I recommend checking out the film and music before you see the show.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:54pm

Waitress.  But no need to pre-game.

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 8:34pm

I agree  I watched the movie two days before I saw the show, and i would not recommend it. The musical is very similar to the movie with a few changes, so you'd know exactly what happens next while watching the show. There's some lines that are the same too. The music won't be a bad thing to hear before, but it's always exciting to hear the music for the first time while you see it.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 8:38pm

Don't go for CATS unless you know Leona Lewis's understudy is on. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money if one of your incentives to watching CATS is "memory"

[mmFan]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 6:08am

I haven't been to Cats since I was a kid. From what I remember, the costumes and the way that they move is beautiful, but there is not much of a story. And personal opinion, but I didn't love the music.

We just saw Waitress in June. Both my husband and I loved it. Great music, acting /singing, funny and good story. For me, it's a no trainer. I even listen to the Waitress CD in my car every day to work.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 9:46am

Waitress was good, not great.

 

But I give the edge to Cats. The revival is energized in a way I've never seen for this show before.

It's exhilarating.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 9:53am

I love Jessie Mueller but...CATS, CATS, CATS!! There really is no comparison.

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 10:29am

I loved waitress but if you are a person that can appreciate superb dancing and choreography I would highly recommend CATS. There is something about this company that makes me so happy every time I see this current production of it.

[pupscotch]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 11:52am

I love Waitress, and Jessie and the rest of the original cast are not to be missed.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 5:47pm

Go to Waitress.

 

Cats is Crap.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 6:38pm

WAITRESS... you can see CATS at your local high school

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 7:22pm

Waitress by far.  Nowhere near my favorite over the last two seasons, but Jessie is always a joy to watch. As are her two cohorts in the story.

Cats will be around…..well…..forever.  After this cycle ends, it will be back a few years after.

And even if it's not on Broadway, it will be….somewhere.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 8:11pm

CATS.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 8:31pm

icecreambenjamin said: "Waitress.  It's lovely, but I recommend checking out the film and music before you see the show.

 

"

See, I'm the opposite.  I went into Waitress knowing nothing about it except what they performed at the Tonys.  And I fell in absolutely love with it, and cried my eyes out during the entire second act.  It's a beautiful show.  I have not seen Cats, though.  I also may be biased because I would pay to hear Jessie Mueller sing the telephone book with her fricken awesome vocal range.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 8:32pm

If you want to see the most generic musical on Broadway (save for a great performance from Mueller) see Waitress.

Cats is leagues better, as a show and as a production. 

[mc1227]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 8:45pm

Waitress is hardly generic.  It deals with heavy topics presented in a very moving and entertaining fashion. Jessie Mueller is incredible as well.  Cats is about......cats.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 8:58pm

Cats! C'mon, it's score is to die for, as is the lighting and choreography, so I've heard.