The Wrong Cat Died
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.
Episodes
January 13, 2026 • 40 mins
“When you’re acting like a cat to begin with, it’s a lot easier to paw in the direction that people need to be.” This episode features Adam Lendermon who played Skimbleshanks on the US National Tour 5 of CATS. Adam shares his introduction to the show, his audition and rehearsal process, and his experiences on tour, including memorable stories and interactions with fans. He also discusses the personality and backstory of Skimbleshan...
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January 6, 2026 • 60 mins
“I actually think there is something kind of cool about a bad guy who is pure evil, that there are no redeeming qualities whatsoever.” This episode features Marco Venturini who is currently performing as Macavity on the International Tour of CATS. Marco shares his unique journey from Italy to the musical theater spotlight, reflecting on his early fascination with the musical and the depth of character development in CATS. The conve...
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December 30, 2025 • 33 mins
From The Vault: Originally released on June 25, 2024, this was episode 171 with "Tempress" Chasity Moore who was Grizabella in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and Tempress will be Grizabella!
"When we were building, the connection between us (Macavity & Grizabella) was that he used to be in the House of Glamour at one time." This episode features "Tempress"...
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December 23, 2025 • 52 mins
From The Vault: Originally released on September 3, 2024, this was episode 184 with André De Shields who was Old Deuteronomy in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and André will be Old Deuteronomy!
"A theater is a temple. This is the fourth institution where the five necessary questions are answered. You have to answer a question. You have to resolve a crisis....
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December 16, 2025 • 38 mins
“ It's like an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. You know there's a lot of people there. Some of them have very furry backs. Most of them pretend to dance and there's some cat fights. And then at the end one is chosen and everybody else is upset.” This episode features the multi-talented Ginger Minj, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 and current host of a North American tour of Hokus Pokus Live. Ginger shares her first impress...
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December 9, 2025 • 61 mins
“ It's like a group of misfits gathering behind the bleachers after school. And we're all weird and no one wants to hang out with us. So we get together and we tell stories together.” This episode features Bryce Bayer who played Munkustrap in the 2025 Music Theatre Heritage production of CATS in Kansas City. Bryce shares insights on his unique experience with this non-traditional version, including the use of minimal characters, a ...
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December 2, 2025 • 52 mins
“I was involved basically since the very first workshop. I was the original Rum Tum Tugger.” This episode features Cooper Howell who was an Associate Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center's reimagined production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball and will be continuing the role during the Broadway Transfer. Cooper shares their unique journey from their first Broadway show experience in the first grade to becoming a pivotal figure...
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November 25, 2025 • 38 mins
From The Vault: Originally released on May 10, 2024, this was a bonus episode with CATS: The Jellicle Ball Creative Team ft. Zhailon Levingston, Bill Rauch, & William Waldrop. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026!
"What overtly having categories does dramaturgy of CATS itself is that there is a particular outcome of winner or loser that happens at the end of every song." This bonus episode fe...
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November 18, 2025 • 62 mins
“I want to warn you. You’ve got real life Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer here so we could talk for hours.” Check out this episode with Adam Andrews and Jadyn Kelly, who play the mischievous duo Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer in the Broadway Theatre of Pitman's production of CATS. Adam and Jadyn share their journeys to becoming CATS fans, their experience with the rigorous rehearsal process, and the joy of performing iconic double cartw...
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November 11, 2025 • 44 mins
“I felt like I was having a dream. Some out of body experience. Andrew literally sat there playing the overture right in front of me.” This episode features Vikki Coote who played Rumpleteazer in the original West End production of CATS. Vikki shares her amazing journey from her initial fascination with the musical, through her audition process, and her time performing in the show. She discusses the unique experience of altering th...
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November 4, 2025 • 49 mins
“When you have such a love and a passion for a show that means so much to you, you have the ability to take care of it and look after it.” Check out this episode with Meghan Peploe-Williams who in multiple productions of CATS. Meghan shares her extensive experience with the musical CATS, detailing her roles in various productions including the Vienna Revival, the Asia Tour, and the international tour. Listen in as Meghan reveals he...
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October 28, 2025 • 49 mins
“ I've never seen a production of CATS that looks the way a production of CATS are supposed to look which is why I always thought I was the perfect person to direct it.” This episode features Tim Scott who was the Director of the 2018 and 2025 reimagined productions of CATS at the Music Theater Heritage in Kansas City. Tim discusses his initial dislike of CATS and how that perspective influenced the innovative choices he made. From...
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October 21, 2025 • 47 mins
“I couldn’t ignore the fact for me that I was playing Grizabella while also pregnant so for me I had to allow that piece of me to layer into my version of Grizabella.” This episode is with Jalise Wilson who performed as Grizabella in the 2023 City Springs Theatre Company production of CATS. Jalise shares her unique perspective on playing the iconic role while pregnant, her unexpected audition process, and her journey from jazz sing...
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October 14, 2025 • 58 mins
“I’m not religious but Chrissie Cartwright would be the person I would pray to.” This episode is with Aaron Jenkins who is a versatile performer known for his extensive involvement in various CATS productions. Aaron shares his journey, from watching CATS on VHS as a child to performing in the 2019 CATS movie, an outdoor production at Kilworth House Theatre as Macavity, and on the international tour in China as a swing covering mult...
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October 7, 2025 • 61 mins
“Chrissie said that when Munkustrap admits Grizabella back into the tribe, that is Old Deuteronomy's confirmation that he is ready to lead the tribe.” Check out this latest episode with José Raúl, a talented swing performer from the US National Tour 6 of CATS. In this episode, José shares his unique experiences playing various roles in the iconic musical, from his start in community theater to his upcoming role as the Rum Tum Tugge...
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September 30, 2025 • 36 mins
“I started to realize that Skimble had a little bit of a cheeky side to him and that’s the thing I wanted to balance out along with his meticulous side.” This episode features Michael Guerriere who recently played Skimbleshanks in the Shawnee Playhouse 2025 production of CATS. They discuss Michael's introduction to CATS, his character development process for Skimbleshanks, and the unique experience of performing with a different Gr...
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September 23, 2025 • 53 mins
From The Vault: Originally released on December 14, 2020, this was Episode 32 with Fergie L. Philippe who was Old Deuteronomy at Elon University's production of CATS and is currently on tour with Beauty and the Beast.
This episode features Fergie L. Philippe who stars as James Madison in the Broadway production of Hamilton but also played a wild weekend as Old Deuteronomy during the Elon University Production of CATS. Fergie sha...
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September 16, 2025 • 53 mins
When two podcasts collide, the conversation gets wild — and that’s exactly what happened when Mike Abrams of The Wrong Cat Died joined me for this crossover episode with actor Ian Knauer. We cover Ian’s journey through Broadway, the West End, regional theater, and even his time performing on Disney Cruise Line. Along the way, Ian shares the perseverance it took to finally land Cats after years of auditioning, what it was like stepp...
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September 9, 2025 • 58 mins
“I am barely five one. Macavity was not a role that I ever thought I would be in the running for because he's typically the tallest in the show but he doesn't have to be. He is the Napoleon of crime.” Join host Mike Abrams as he chats with Erik Simon, an actor with a deep history in the world of CATS. Erik recounts his journey from childhood fascination with T.S. Eliot’s poems and the original London cast recording, to experiencing...
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September 2, 2025 • 28 mins
In this special bonus episode we celebrate the podcast's six-year anniversary with the show’s producer Alan Seales who is also the host of The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales and the Co-Founder of the Broadway Podcast Network. Mike and Alan reflect on the origins of the podcast, memorable moments, and the evolving journey of analyzing and interpreting the musical CATS. Mike shares his experiences interviewing Broadway stars, the u...
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