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The Wrong Cat Died

The Wrong Cat Died

By: Broadway Podcast Network
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About this listen

 Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Broadway Podcast Network Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music
Episodes
  • Ep247 - Nina White, Future Grizabella & You Got Older

    Ep247 - Nina White, Future Grizabella & You Got Older
    Mar 31 2026
    “I think the premise is clear. They have to compete. For their life. I really don’t know why either.” This episode features Nina White (Kimberly Akimbo, The Queen of Versailles) who is currently appearing at the Cherry Lane Theater in You Got Older. Nina comes on the show to discuss her strong pro-CATS opinions and why she thinks much of the show’s hate is unfounded. Nina shares seeing the tour in Detroit, the characters she gravitated toward, and which role she’d want today, plus thoughts on the CATS: The Jellicle Ball revival and her desire to play Skimbleshanks there. The discussion pivots to You Got Older, as Nina explains the play’s story about a woman returning home during her father’s cancer treatment and its themes of family, presence, and authentic sibling dynamics, including how personal it is to playwright Clare Barron. They end with rapid-fire CATS questions, debate the Jellicle choice, and share how to follow Nina and see the show. 02:14 First CATS Memory 05:24 Dream CATS Roles 15:11 Skimbleshanks Obsession 17:30 You Got Older 20:17 Why the Play Hits Home 34:49 Starlight Express Discussion 37:18 Rapid Fire Check out Nina on Instagram: @iamninawhite Check out You Got Older: cherrylanetheatre.org/shows/ygo Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Ep246 - Quentin Earl Darrington, Old Deuteronomy in 2016 Broadway Revival

    Ep246 - Quentin Earl Darrington, Old Deuteronomy in 2016 Broadway Revival
    Mar 24 2026
    “ I believe that they were all linked and in sync all of the cats because there's so many parts in the play where it's so evident within the storytelling that they are all in tune with one another immediately.” This episode features Quentin Earl Darrington who played Old Deuteronomy in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS and currently appears as the Phantom in Masquerade. Quentin explains how he had never seen CATS before auditioning and researched recordings and commentary to build the show’s story, then recalls the heavy, hot Old Deuteronomy suit, ice-pack vest, and unexpectedly having to dance with elite performers while also playing an opening-number ensemble cat. He describes shaping Old Deuteronomy through biblical books and viewing the Jellicle Choice as a collective, evolving decision, not predetermined, with Deuteronomy as a servant-leader who never expects to ascend. The conversation shifts to Masquerade’s immersive demands, constant variation, and physical backstage navigation, with Quentin embracing unpredictable audience proximity. 01:20 First Encounter With CATS 03:47 Costume Heat and Survival 04:49 Old Deuteronomy Decision Theology 18:48 Masquerade 27:49 Immersive Show Demands 36:17 Reinventing Classics Today 39:07 Rapid Fire Check out Masquerade on Social Media: @masqueradenyc Check out Masquerade's website: masqueradenyc.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Ep245 - Rachel Hauck, Scenic Designer for CATS: The Jellicle Ball

    Ep245 - Rachel Hauck, Scenic Designer for CATS: The Jellicle Ball
    Mar 18 2026
    "It was  very important to us that we figure out how to do this in a proscenium house because we want to bring this work to as many people as we can." This episode features Rachel Hauck who is the Scenic Designer for CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Rachel came to discuss the set and stage design at the Broadhurst Theatre sharing her first experience seeing CATS on tour in Los Angeles, what it was like being part of the project early on, and the research and collaboration required to merge Broadway and ballroom culture on stage. We discuss the challenges of designing an immersive runway environment at the PAC, audience sightlines and seating variety, and teased a few fun elements you can expect to see in the theatre. 01:14 Rachel’s CATS Origin Story 07:20 Designing PAC’s Immersive Space 12:04 Building the Broadway Runway 19:10 What Changes on Broadway 24:45 Set Surprises 32:07 Accessibility and Community Reach 32:55 Rapid Fire Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
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