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
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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August 26, 2025 • 60 mins
“Chrissie Cartwright wants more than anything, she wants specificity. So she doesn’t necessarily need to know what all of the relationships are that you’re playing, as long as it’s clear.” In this newest episode, we chat with Michael Robert-Lowe, the actor currently playing Old Deuteronomy in the International tour of CATS. They dive into Michael's journey with the show, his thoughts on the character dynamics, and how he interprets...
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August 19, 2025 • 47 mins
“Some people might say CATS is a ripoff of A Chorus Line. I don’t want to go that far but it’s remarkably similar. I think it’s sort of a doppelganger of A Chorus Line.” In this episode, host Mike Abrams welcomes David Armstrong, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network host and author of the newly published book Broadway Nation. They delve into the rich history of Broadway musicals, highlighting the significant influences and connections...
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"Ours is set in a community garden and we thought this would be a really good setting that I’ve not seen done before where it focuses on how gardens can fade and then regrow and rebirth." Join host Mike Abrams as he welcomes the cast and creative team of the Westerville Civic Theatre's production of CATS. Director Michael Ruehrmund, Assistant Musical Director Michael Neary, and Jellylorum Meghan Noonan share their journey in bringi...
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August 5, 2025 • 60 mins
“I said I cannot wait to still be doing CATS with you in 30 years time because of course Grizabella’s brilliant. I can probably play it now for a good 30 to 40 years.” Dive into an engaging episode with Lucy May Barker who is currently dazzling audiences as Grizabella on the CATS international tour. Lucy shares her early love for the musical, recounting her first experience seeing CATS in London at the age of eight. The discussion ...
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“We have 16 different Grizabellas for this production.” In this episode of The Wrong Cat Died podcast, Mike Abrams welcomes Naomi Naughton, a former swing in the original Broadway production of CATS (1992) who is now directing a summer production at the Shawnee Playhouse. Naomi shares her journey from first seeing CATS as a teenager, through auditioning and performing on Broadway, to her current role as a director. She discusses th...
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July 22, 2025 • 42 mins
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.
"Normally Grizabella does not start the show. We meet her about 20 minutes into it. I do think it’s really neat we see her right away." This episode features Sara Sheperd who plays Grizabella in this production. Sarah shares her journey with the musical...
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July 15, 2025 • 35 mins
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.
"At our Ball, Old Deuteronomy selects me as the homecoming queen and then I select my king. So I select Alonzo." This episode features Brianna Abruzzo who plays Victoria in this production. Brianna shares her unique journey into the musical, from her fi...
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July 13, 2025 • 35 mins
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.
This bonus episode is with the "Coaster Kittens" who are the teen ensemble in the 2025 Fulton Theatre production of CATS. Hear each of them share their character's backstory and discuss all of the fun parts of being part of this production.
Featurin...
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July 8, 2025 • 49 mins
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.
" I'm having so much fun. It's silly. It's great. And I love the fact that he turned it into a Shakespearian moment." This episode features James Patterson who plays Bustopher Jones & Gus in this production. Hear James share his extensive history with t...
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July 1, 2025 • 38 mins
Throughout the summer, we are working with the Fulton Theatre to bring you a series of episodes with the cast and creative team from their new amusement park production of CATS.
"I know that Grizz has left and Jelly has two litters and is currently pregnant with her third." This episode features Katie Sina who plays Jellylorum in this production. Katie shares her journey with the musical, from her first encounter with CATS on ...
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June 24, 2025 • 47 mins
" The first 15 days of every month was in English and then the second 15 or 16 days it was in German." This episode features John Treacy Egan who performed as Old Deuteronomy in Zurich and on the US National Tour 4 and is currently performing in Just In Time on Broadway. Hear John discuss his remarkable Jellicle journey. From learning lyrics in German to handling on-stage mishaps and fan interactions, this episode offers a delightf...
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June 17, 2025 • 60 mins
"The truth is every good play is hinged on the one particular character having a life changing moment." This episode features Deneen Melody, Kelby McClellan, & Zach Santolaya who were part of the Canyon Theatre Guild Production of CATS in California this summer. They share their initial reactions upon hearing the theater would do CATS, their personal histories with the musical, and the detailed character research they undertook. Th...
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" I went to see CATS about five times with notebooks and took notes throughout the performance." This episode features Caesar Samayoa who performed as the Rum Tum Tugger in an "illegal" high school production of CATS in New Jersey and is currently performing as Don Kirshner and many more characters in Just In Time on Broadway. Hear Caesar dive into his fascinating journey from performing in multiple Cats productions, including the ...
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"Ten years ago I was the Associate Director of CATS when we did it the first time at Paramount and I thought, wouldn't it be so amazing if Victoria ascended to Jellicle Ball in a moon beam of silks?" This episode features the cast and creative team of the 2025 circus production of CATS. The group dives into the unique transformation of the classic musical CATS into an acrobatic circus-themed production at Paramount Theatre in Auror...
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May 27, 2025 • 41 mins
" Bustopher Jones was Bustopher Mürr and I don’t know why except that it rhymed." This episode features Nancy Leach who was a swing in the Hamburg production of CATS. Nancy shares her introduction to CATS, learning the show in German, and her journey from New York to Hamburg. She discusses her roles, particularly as Grizabella, and provides insight into her character's emotional depth and backstory. Nancy also reminisces about fun ...
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May 20, 2025 • 57 mins
"The truth is every good play is hinged on the one particular character having a life changing moment." This episode features Director/Choreographer Marc Robin and Associate Director/Makeup Designer Joey Abramowicz to discuss the Fulton Theatre's upcoming summer 2025 production of CATS. They delve into the unique concept of setting the musical in an abandoned amusement park, the challenges and joys of reimagining this iconic show,...
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" Chrissie Cartwright looked at me and she’s like ‘you've gotta like see the mouse, follow the mouse, pounce on the mouse, chase the mouse again.’ And I was like, wait, wait, wait. Are we cats?" This episode features Sarah Bowden who performed as Sillabub in the Australian Circus Tent Tour production of CATS and is currently performing in the ensemble in Smash on Broadway. Hear Sarah share tales from her early career, including her...
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