why CATS the Jellicle Ball werks so well | ★★★★★ review of the 2024 Off-Broadway musical revival

[@ferventrabbitao3]

Original fan of cats here, and I LOVED this production. It was actually the perfect medium for what cats is all about: celebrating each cat and giving one the opportunity to return to her legendary status

[@andrerwhaag2734]

I have always been a huge CATS fan. I have to say this is the best production of CATS I have ever seen. I couldn't help but feel more connected to the material because my Q-munity is being represented. But everyone one in the theater was getting their life. I saw it on a Wednesday at 1 pm, and I can echo the energy was severely different than a normal midweek Matinee. I cried, I laughed, I was in awe! Best production I have seen in a long time. The "In Memoriam" at the top of Act 2 & The segment with the arrest have become my favorite. I have fallen in love with the show all over again. Also, the Mistoffelees segment was done amazingly, and I guess André De Shields is also a Contortionist. I also agree with your thoughts on Grizabella and doing a dress reveal at the "Touch Me" high note. This will 100% transfer to Broadway and I'm guessing it will go to The Circle In The Square. I'm sure the might make it a bit tighter. But it's had 3 extentions now, so Broadway is on the horizon.

[@allisonbergh4429]

As another un-ironic Cats fan, when I heard about this and saw a brief clip, I thought this was a brilliant idea! And as to the lyrics not making sense out of the original context, I reckon they put the original cast album on as the soundtrack to their ball, so they could even have done Growltiger (which I think could have been AMAZING) and been fine 😅

[@dylansmith1833]

That Cinderella reference, LOL! I have friends who have seen this production and were absolutely blown away! I am so excited to see it this week! Gonna be wild!

[@jonathanrio6587]

I have always liked CATs. I was a teen when it came out in the 80s. it was THE SHOW at the time! I still love the music! I live in Brazil, but hope to make it to see this because I talk to the actor who plays Macavity a lot on line and hope to finally meet him. I'm going for Dec 1st to see Audra in Gypsy. I hope Cats is extended until then! And Micky Jo looks GREAT with this haircut!!!!!

[@IncogGrogu]

Cats was the very first “Broadway” show I saw in California on tour in the 80’s when I was a teen. I think I loved it because of the hype at the time. As I got older and became a bigger fan of musicals, it was just kind of meh to me, me being attracted more to Sondheim. I saw this revival twice and loved every second of it - unironically! To me, this interpretation gave Cats a message of acceptance and living one’s truth loud and proud. The Griz story line affected me more I think perhaps because I’ve grown up as a baby-gay knowing and being mentored by people just like this. Some who’ve alienated close friends for some reason or another through life, so the Griz character here being shunned was completely real to me, no further explanation required. And then her acceptance back to the “family” was also very touching. It spoke so much about forgiveness and how those who truly love us have our backs no matter what. One thing that might go over the heads of some people, during the beautiful video montage behind “The Moments of Happiness”, there are clips of both Junior LaBeija (who plays Gus) and Tempress (who plays Grizabella) in actual competition in their younger years. I also love the title that flashes “Grizabella, MOTHER of the House of Glamour.” I’m so glad you were able to see this truly special and meaningful production of CATS! Now and forever? Fingers crossed.

[@cj2122821244]

I took my 40 year old niece to see the show at the same performance you attended. She was blown away! I already knew I would like the show. The level of energy from the audience was unlike any show I’ve ever attended. BTW, ALW attended the show the same evening we attended.

[@theshadowdirector]

If Cinderella has taught ALW nothing else, it's that he really needs to allow outside voices voices flexibility when approaching his work if he wants his works to remain relevant in years to come rather than solely as revered legacy pieces.

[@jessecortezmusic]

So glad you liked it!!! It was great meeting you at Marie’s Crisis and chatting Broadway with you! ❤😊

[@jennalove2873]

As someone who isn’t particularly a fan of Cats, I would give SO MUCH to see this production. As soon as it was announced I was like “oh they’ve done it. They’ve fixed cats.” Like IMO this is what Cats always should’ve been. Perfection.

[@CarlosDRuiz-ow9jr]

Oh my God, WOW! Even with all the rave reviews this show received from my friends and social media (Thank you MickeyJo), I was not prepared for how absolutely fantastic Cats The Jellicle Ball is. I saw it Saturday, September 7th and the final performances are on Sunday, September 8th. I hope the show finds another home because I must see it again.

[@rodvarmo]

I'm from Costa Rica I saw this last month in NYC at the PAC. I saw and loved the original Cats musical. I love the ballroom culture and i did loved this version. The costumes, dancing, flexibility, adaptation was amazing. All performers were great. The long shaped and interaction the PAC provides is fabulous and works perfect with this show.

[@RaymondNYC1]

I saw it today (Sept 7), it was fantastic! One of the best shows I've ever seen. Truly visionary concept that works perfectly!

[@lydia1634]

Cats was the first show I saw all the way through, I think when I was 5? We had the cast album on tape and I listened to it constantly throughout my childhood. Now, I'm passing the madness onto my children, and we listen to it together. It's such good music for imaginative play, the kind that kids so easily engage in, plus, the TS Eliot vocabulary is a great place to introduce big words. It's a great show to grow up with.

[@emrysaki]

I was also raised on Cats and have always been a fan. When the clips on Instagram started going viral, I instantly knew I’d love this new version. I really hope I can see it fully for myself one day.

[@edmonguy]

Oh my... where have you and this channel been all my life! 🔥🔥🧡

[@ECKohns]

The first time I heard about Cats coming back to New York. I saw the Revival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 2019.

[@RaymondNYC1]

ANDRE DESHIELDS - Legend!! And I have to have that fan!!!

[@gcupton]

Just saw it last night and as usual your review is right on the money from start to finish! And yes, Sydney James Harcourt is "very watchable" on stage ;)

[@tarinblanding1584]

I discovered Cats the musical back in high school but When I tell ya’ll this show needs to be transferred to a Broadway stage, I mean it. This show is SO fab and as an individual who is apart of the ballroom scene I loved every single minute. The way the characters were portrayed, the vibe, and just the whole atmosphere was fantastic it felt like I was actually at a ball.

[@WriterJeffAdams]

10s across the board for this production! I've loved "Cats" for decades. It was the second Broadway tour production I ever saw (the first was "A Chorus Line"). It was the first national tour of "Cats" and I saw it in Birmingham Alabama. It was magic and always has been across the dozen or so times I've seen it. This production though was transcendent. Thinking about revivals I've seen, it's up there with how the most recent (2019?) Broadway revival of "Oklahoma" had me re-thinking what that show could be, and the 2015 (?) Deaf West Theatre production of "Spring Awakening" transformed a good show into something extraordinary. This took the "Cats" I knew and loved, and retold it in a way that was sublime. It's a good thing I don't live in NYC any more because I would spend too much money going back over and over (I lived just a couple blocks from where PAC NYC is so it would've been so easy to keep showing up). As it is, I made a one day trip to NYC from California to see it's final preview performance back in June. Totally worth the trip! It's interesting what you said about Grizabella. I thought her arc was solid, but what you said also made sense. I wonder if I was layering on things about my perception of the character from the original. What I loved that they did with her was with the video that starts off Act 2 where they paid tribute to founding house mothers (similar to the photos in the lobby), but added Grizabella as the founder of the House of Glamour. That tied it all together well. Anyway, I loved it. I agree with you that Circle in the Square would be a great place for it on Broadway. I do hope it gets to come back, either at PAC NYC sometime, or elsewhere. It deserves to be seen beyond the success it's having this summer. Now, if I could manage to get myself to London to see "Starlight Express..."

[@teresafilice367]

Oh yay! We loved it too-- I couldn't stop smiling and cheering the whole time. The Macavity!! 😻

[@pensacolajazz2000]

I went through that Cats thing we all do if you are of a certain age. ALW was finally getting a name and following and,for the first time it became easy to go to a store and purchase a West End Cast album. So we all got it and fell in love with it. But by the time the American cast album came out, we sorta were put off by the changes. It had become such a huge phenomenon, even after my moving to NYC, it was hard to get tickets, so I didn't actually see it for years. So...we all went through our I Hate Cats phase (maybe it was an American thing), but eventually, when it was easier to get tickets, I decided I should finally see what I've been making fun of all these years. And I really enjoyed it. I forgot about it till the movie, which I didn't hate (I actually liked it a lot after the horrible Jennyanydots section. Because those songs are part of me, to a point I didn't even realize. And seeing the ballroom Cats, well...I cried FIVE FUCKING TIMES!! It was one of the most joyous things I have ever seen or felt. I'm not even sure why. But it was glorious.

[@JosephNYC66]

I loved this revival so much!! It was AMAZING!! I would consider myself a fan of CATS. My uncle was in the show for many years so it's been a part of my young adulthood. I listened to the cast recordings many times. The score is very good and I always admired it. I saw this revival 4 times and I wish I could see it again. I'm hoping it transfers to Broadway or off-Broadway.

[@Discworld-Edge-Witch]

I'm not a CATS fan. So, these are words I'd never hear myself say: I'm dying to see this production of Cats!

[@nicolemellion5272]

I also grew up with the VHS and have been the biggest fan of the Mr. Mistoffeles. I just got tickets for the end of the month, I am so excited!

[@emergingmuses]

CATS was the first staged musical I ever saw. It holds a special nonsensical place in my heart. This revival sounds amazing and all the clips I've seen have only increased my need to see it!!

[@MarcusMartn]

I’m watching this and purchasing a ticket I can’t wait to see this show 😊

[@iant1040]

Hate Cats. LOVED this production. Besides being so much fun, it is so smartly done. It is the best king of revival - a complete reimagining of a show that transforms the original into something better and deeper.

[@GavinBrockMusic]

I’m salivating to see this production now 🤤 Sounds incredible, I really hope they record it or provide clips, dying to see it!!

[@saxyben81]

I saw the US Tour when I was in 6th grade back when they toured with a full orchestra. It also holds a special place as it was the first Broadway tour I ever saw.

[@nadkat5864]

i think one of the best things this production did was lend real weight to 'the naming of cats' and 'the ad-dressing of cats' (previously two of my least favorite numbers) via the changed setting. in my opinion, any discussion of being deserving of respect and dignity and recognition, as well as the different meanings (and origins) behind having multiple names, demanded actual gravitas because it was coming from a marginalized community so often denied those things. 'the naming of cats' particularly fit incredibly well wrt drag names and chosen names.

[@Chishannicon]

I'm only two and a half minutes into your video, but I'm posting now since you asked: I was at the first preview performance of this revival, and (as a CATS fan) I loved it. When it was first announced, I knew it was something that I was going to need to see. Though I have never watched Pose or Paris is Burning, or had very much exposure to the queer ballroom culture, I still had a feeling that it would work quite well, but I also had the same fears that you did. CATS is already great, and a little part of me was afraid that they would ruin it. I never expected them to be SO faithful to the show, which was a very pleasant surprise for me. Not only that, but almost every single line in the musical took on a new meaning which worked perfectly for the new setting and concept. Moments of Happiness actually made sense to me for the first time ever. It was almost like this interpretation of his poems was what T.S. Eliot had in mind all along, which sounds crazy, but it just works THAT WELL. I'm not saying that I want the original CATS to be replaced or anything like that, but it is nice that there are now two versions of this fantastic musical, and that we can get different things from each one.

[@jonelrobinson582]

I love CATS and I’m a huge fan. I grew up watching the ‘98 VHS version and absolutely loving it. 🐈

[@rickwilson4077]

I’m going on the closing performance and I’m so excited!

[@danilyons2367]

My mum and my sister used to watch the cats VHS all the time as a kid, I was terrified of it lmao

[@PADavid12]

This was such a wonderful show. I’m so glad I got the opportunity. And your review, exactly correct

[@johnoh1374]

I saw this 1 week ago, simply amazing. I love the original cats production this take it to another level (the world of ballroom)

[@steveasher5849]

Seeing it for a second time on Saturday. It is everything!

[@MsMatinga]

Great show - saw the original Broadway production twice with different friends bored to tears this production however was electrifying start to finish a major wow with a little cameo by the amazing Shoshana Bean as a guest judge the evening I saw it highly recommended oh and the new short hair do on you looks fantastic.🔥🤘

[@Kayjayoh]

Today I learned the origin of "jellicle".

[@rurust85]

CATS was the very first Broadway show I saw at 5 years old and I still love it to this day. It will always hold a special place in my stage-y heart.

[@crimsoncrow]

I hear backstage is where you'll find the real cat fight.

[@zero116]

We need an untucked for this show lol

[@ClaireWritesSometimes]

I would LOVE this to come to the West End, or just to London. I'd be THERE, and if Cabaret has proved anything, it's that immersive theatre is a big seller here.

[@ChristopherButler-um2ko]

I saw the OBC of CATS when it first opened. I never saw another production or the film, but this version sounds inspired.

[@heatherpoland13]

It was incredible. It made the show make sense imo

[@kimberlysimek7349]

Not a fan of CATS... Yet this was hands down the best show I’ve seen in years.

[@charliehorey9886]

it seems like an opportunity was missed with the Grizabella character to comment on how one often becomes invisible in the community as you age. we live in a world where youth and beauty rule. This most likely is true of the straight community also....There was a great song in Queen of Versailles called Beauty always wins......perhaps such a heavy topic as ageism would bring the mood down too much, i would love seeing a show deal honestly with the ageism, body shaming, racism and emphasis on beauty within the community.

[@Chishannicon]

I think that the revival did try to do this in a roundabout way. Old Deut sings Moments of Happiness to Sillabub, which acts as a lesson to never forget or disrespect those who came before you. Sillabub is the one who makes it their personal mission to bring Grizabella back into the world of ballroom, restoring her to her former glory.

[@FLAVEEARR]

I ADORE the vhs version or whatever the 90s version straight to video was, as that was my first foray into the Cats world and I have been obsessed with Cata ever since. I did not DARE even watch the abomination that was the Tom Hooper version, get in the bin immediately but I would love to see Cats on stage in any version possible. So house mothers, doing Cats. GIVE IT TO ME IMMEDIATELY 🎉 spectacular give me 14 of them right now. Bring it to London 😊

[@styrling-l4p]

I love cats, always have, and I absolutely ADORED the jellicle ball. best piece of theater i have ever seen

[@disaidra]

I was in the same situation, a big fan of OG cats and therefore a potential purist, but this honestly sounds like a match made in heaven. Considering how light on plot the show is, why not distill it down to its most essential parts and have fun with it. I think this complete rework is much more agreeable to me than the minor changes tried over the years (hip hop rum tum tugger anyone?)

[@LynnHermione]

This sounds delightful, I wish there was a pro shot so I could see it :(

[@Patch1xo]

This production Blew My Mind!!!! The best night of theater I've ever experienced. Multiple standing ovations mid show. I left so energized. And I HATED the original production of cats. It's not my type of show. Never in a million years did I think this would work, but it did. I disagree with your Grizabella take. I was completely moved by a Trans woman in that role. Being the outcast and then ultimately being accepted was a real commentary on today's treatment of Trans people. It really worked for me.

[@TabularJoker]

“I am in fact GAY” - MickeyJoTheatre

[@sparklequeen487]

I need the link to the dressed up like a cat video 😂

[@Nikkishops247]

Jellices always should! 😻

[@Nikkishops247]

Ps. Still waiting for you dressed as a train explaining Starlight Express 🛼

[@SpiritMystery777]

OMG! I want one of those colorful Fans!

[@corinneferrarolam5101]

I grew up listening to the cast recording on VINYL. Yes, a double LP set of the cast recording. It was the eighties. I am also an unironic fan!

[@gabrielle9369]

I was so excited when I heard the show was extending through to my NYC trip … until I saw the ticket prices. I get it’s a new theater, and an extension (and they tore out a bunch of seats for that stage) but I couldn’t justify spending more on Cats than Cabaret (or Hell’s Kitchen and Suffs combined).

[@pamm9439]

I’m so sad my performance was cancelled due to sickness in the cast 😭😭😭

[@CinnamonQuills]

I've seen Cats live like five times, I was all full up on Cats in my life, but this would definitely get me to see Cats again.

[@DanielJosephBaker]

They made Cats make sense. The old version should be cancelled from here on out. This new version needs to be toured globally. It’s that good!!!!

[@MaryanneCathro]

It is Purrrrlman from now on hehehe

[@danterhoads5083]

I actually came up with a idea on how they could do grizzabella for this show. The idea is that she was arrested in the past and hasn't been seen since, like after rum tum tugger when she traditionally entered instead one of the young newer members could appear on stage from behind the curtain holding her trophy, this could lead into the younger members wondering who she is and the older member looking at eachother knowing what happened, this then could lead into them singing her song like the original show but now instead of it being a cautionary tale to avoid her its now a sad tale of a legend taken away with know one knowing what happened to her with some even thinking the worst, then near the end when she enters after old duteronomy is brought back the jellicles are silent like the original but now instead of it being shame and ignoreing her is joy like there so shocked and happy to see her again that there nothing they can say, she then sings memory like the original and at the end the yound member who found her trophy and probably had it by them the whole show thakes it onstage and with permission from deuteronomy returns it and bassically welcomes her back with journey to the heavyside lair becomeing this celebration of her return. I know this means the grizzabella wouldn't appear on stage until memory but i think it works with this take on the show and would be a strong message of remembering the past and keeping hope that times will get better, plus they could do like a slidshow of old photos and videos of past ballroom competitions during grizzabella the glamor cat showing her start her rise in popularity and ending with her last performance before police arrested her.

[@stephaniehibbert2270]

This show looks fabulous. I really hope they bring it to the UK. Mickey-Jo..did you go to see The WIZ production on Broadway?

[@vickylikesthis]

I also went and it was so fun!

[@fashionablechangeling1988]

Missed opportunity to emphasise the word 'cat' in 'category' every time you said that word

[@subbtopp]

ooo Meow

[@bridgez04]

A musical with a dance focus in a ballroom (so long as the ballroom is at least painted to fit the theme) is a must even if it’s from the 80s and everyone’s costume is a cat. 1:20 SAME and I’m sorry but Gus the Theatre Cat makes more sense plot wise with Growltiger’s Last Stand/Billy McCaw. Ik it’s racist and they need to change those lyrics and perhaps growl’s enemy in general but it’s such a good villain song and I love it way more than the dogs fighting in the park song. And the Billy McCaw story is so sweet and instrumentally pretty. Plus name dropping Grittlebone in McCavity would make more sense. I will fight to the death over this song’s necessity in the plot.

[@joelshoemaker4908]

Thanks!

[@franinconverse]

I would cut off my left arm to see this production

[@leomack4432]

Yes I love Cats…seen it four times and this was my fifth and it is brilliant! By the way, we bought the same fan.

[@klausi6483]

I saw the original production at the Winter Garden. I have only one comment: ALW owes me 2.5 hours of my life back... oh and $75...

[@berna68]

The Wrong Cat Died

[@Phobie_2000]

I’m a massive fan of CATS. I know way too much about the show and have listened to the original cast album and watched the 1998 and 2016 versions over and over and over again. And I don’t really care for this version, now keep in mind, I’m a straight guy so I’m 100% aware that this show really isn’t for my demographic. I also have nothing against Drag Queen or Ballroom Culture, I’m judging this strictly as a Cats Revival and this just doesn’t work for me. Really nothing that made the original show work is present in this version, now I’ve seen a lot of people who like The Jellicle Ball for that reason, and that’s fine. I’m 100% supportive of this version but it just isn’t for me.

[@js862]

'werks'?

[@autumn4652]

firstly, yes your 'explaining cats' video is indeed some of your best work imho, top tier secondly, omgg i wanna see this production so badly aahhh

[@Alixthecollector]

Not Growltiger! 😂 what's gayer than a pirate cat?! 😂😂😂

[@MxLexi]

Mickeyyy what is that style you're rocking that is FIRE

[@styrling-l4p]

Also, ballroom isnt just the 80s. Like they very much still hold balls

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Oh I know! Hence all of the performers in this production from the ballroom sphere!

[@suddenwall]

Mickey Jo go on The Wrong Cat Died

[@atuljoshi1990]

5 stars really? wow...will go see it I guess....wasn't expecting this.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

He is a big Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber fan. I don't think I could sit through it because it is still Cats.

[@Chibbykins]

Why not? I fully expected 3 or 4 stars *at least* 😂 not just because Mickey is a fan of the original but because the minute I heard the revival would be 'Jellicle Ball but in the literal ballroom scene' I thought it was genius

[@Gee-xb7rt]

@@Chibbykins I think the new staging is much needed, but I still don't like Cats, lol.

[@Chibbykins]

@@Gee-xb7rt sure, but Mickey loves Cats, so I wasn't sure why the original commenter would be surprised he also loves Gay Cats

[@Gee-xb7rt]

​@@Chibbykins yeah, if he didn't like it they would have to mess up pretty bad, like get Jamie Lloyd to do it.

[@MrMakeDo]

I’ve never understood how “Jellicle” is supposed to be ‘dear little’. It’s a stretch.

[@pseudonymous9153]

English people

[@cecilyerker]

Pollicle Dogs is also “poor little dogs”

[@Chishannicon]

"ickle" is very common British baby-talk for the word "little." And if you think of the way an overly posh British person would say the word "dear," it all makes sense.

[@citywoof]

Gurl, what happened to your hair?

[@davesmith5470]

I love it! ;-)

[@citywoof]

@@davesmith5470 It does look good!

[@SaveThatMoney411]

I’ve seen the show clips and went to their NYPL preview; I’m still not convinced this show is worth $107. It’s a cute premise, but it doesn’t seem like it’s coherent or compelling, let alone “ground breaking”.

[@miguelangelespinosasilva9177]

The theater is not only full of Jellicle fans and trans, but also of fanatical, dramatical, critical, pedantical, cynical and hypocritical. I´ll never forget how much HATE, mockery and contempt the critics and the public expressed in the film version of Cats, worldwide, despite its incredible cast, expensive budget, amazing choreography, beautiful sets and the unbeatable direction of Tom Hopper, to the point of condemning the film and leading it to a resounding failure that harmed the more than 2,000 artists from the creative industries who worked on this beautiful movie made with LOVE. And all because the public was horrified and scandalized by the characterizations of the performers, helped with the magic of CGI. Today, when a disruptive and different proposal emerges that is a resounding success, it turns out that all the fans who yesterday hated both the original stage version and the film, at the end of the day, miraculously, love Cats. USA have always hated Andrew Lloyd Webber, even though his musicals have created millions of jobs across not only in that country but also in many more. Today, suddenly, and as if by magic, he is an admired genius. This ingenious, inclusive, talented and memorable new version of the musical Cats only proves one thing: that the world is becoming populated by a generation with very serious identity, self-esteem and mental health problems that range from hidden depression to literally believing themselves to be a non-binary, asexual cat or another of the new expressions of human sexuality. And the only way to combat these rare and new evils is the suspicious resource of victimization and recognition through trophies. And in a scenario like this, there is never a shortage of reactionaries and the offended who will even blame my comment on Google Translator. At least, Andrew Lloyd Webber establishes himself as the master of musicals with Cats and Sunset Blvd., in excellent versions never seen before and which is what the public will want to see in the future. Good Lord... Lloyd Webber.

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

@@miguelangelespinosasilva9177 really didn't think you'd be able to link love for the Cats movie to queerphobic rhetoric but you really did that. Kudos for the effort that went into this unhinged nonsense.

[@miguelangelespinosasilva9177]

@@MickeyJoTheatre The right to express oneself belongs to everyone. In the demand of the right is the fulfillment of the obligation of each individual. Why is the LGBTETC. Community always offended when they read different oppinions that are not always flattery showing an abscense of maturity? Cats is not an unhinged nonsense. It's a work of art.

[@madulaoblongata1903]

Sounds terrible.