This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Mike Abrams: There's a cat over here. There's a cat over there. And the wrong one died. And the wrong one died.

[0:18] Mike Abrams: This is Mike Abrams, the host of The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast based on the cat's recipe. We are live at the yellow carpet of Cats the Jellicle Ball's opening night. We're so excited to be here to celebrate this amazing production, the reimagined version of Cats in a ballroom setting. We're going to talk to some celebrities, some Jellicle cats, some people from the show, everybody to understand who their Jellicle choice is and about this incredible production. So come along with us and enjoy the show.

[0:44] Mike Abrams: First up, co-director Zhailon Levingston.

[0:48] Zhailon Levingston: I'm excited to sit by my co-director and watch a show we really like a lot. You know, I'm excited to be an audience member and not a kind of sneaky spy in the back of the house taking notes. I'm excited to feel the rush of this show with the audience.

[1:08] Mike Abrams: What's been the most exciting part of moving it from downtown to Broadway?

[1:14] Zhailon Levingston: It's going to sound like strange, but what's been most exciting is figuring out ways to scare ourselves. I knew and I think all of us knew that we couldn't just recreate something from downtown, that we have to go back into it, re-ask questions, create new questions and get back in a place where we go, what are we doing? What if we fail? Because that's the space by which the original production that we did off-Broadway was created. So we had to find a way not to recreate what we did, but re-imagine the conditions that produced what we made. And that was terrifying and also thrilling.

[1:54] Mike Abrams: I was saying earlier that I talked to Sis Adol and she was telling me about how the two of you talked about both loving cats from Barney. And so I've been calling the traditional cats Barney cats ever since. So what would you say to the Barney cats fans who are going to come see this for the first time?

[2:14] Zhailon Levingston: I would say to the Barney cats fans, you will see so many Easter eggs from your childhood with that video because of the way it imprinted on me. And talk to me about the things that you find.

[2:32] Zhailon Levingston: The fact that it's happening. The fact that Anders said yes. The fact that so many people said yes and we are here.

[2:42] Mike Abrams: What has been the biggest joy in bringing this from downtown to Broadway?

[2:50] Zhailon Levingston: All the people who kept the faith that we could keep the spirit of the show alive in the transfer to Broadway. That was our constant concern was could the spirit that we had downtown stay alive. And I feel like we've pulled that off and it's because of a lot of really smart people and a lot of really caring people that that's happened.

[3:11] Mike Abrams: What would you say to the traditional cats fans who are coming to see the Jellicle Ball for the first time on Broadway with it being slightly reimagined and different?

[3:20] Zhailon Levingston: If you love Cats the Musical, I predict you will love Cats the Jellicle Ball because you will hear every word that you know and love. You'll hear every note of music that you love, but you hear them in a new way. And in a way that I hope you will find actually makes new sense of what you love about Cats.

[3:44] Zhailon Levingston: I'm excited for it to open. Yes, I'm excited for queerness on Broadway. There are six trans women in this cast. It's unbelievable. On Broadway, that's unbelievable. That's what I'm excited about.

[4:02] Mike Abrams: What has been your favorite piece of moving this from downtown to Broadway?

[4:07] Zhailon Levingston: My favorite piece is that in 2024, it was a Biden presidency and we were like, look, cool cats. Wow, look at this thing we did. And now that Trump is president, it feels like an act of war a little bit. So that is, I think, the biggest, the biggest change is like seeing a black trans woman win the Jellicle Prize every night in a Trump presidency is like that is the best, the best.

[4:34] Mike Abrams: Next up, co-choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons.

[4:39] Omari Wiles: I'm excited for the audience.

[4:42] Arturo Lyons: I'm going to say the same thing. I'm excited for everyone to see it in its full joy. I think because it is opening night that people get to see the show where it needs to be locked at. It's finished.

[4:59] Mike Abrams: So you obviously had downtown and then you're now moving up to Broadway. You made some updates and some changes. What's been the most fun kind of addition you've been able to bring by having the Broadway stage?

[5:13] Omari Wiles: Honestly, we filled so many gaps. I felt like at PAC, there was still a lot of answers to our questions that we were trying to figure out. It was still a lot of choices that the cast members were trying to figure out as well, too. And this time around, bring it to Broadway, understanding the stakes as well, too. We knew that in order to make this show stand out, we needed to lock every nook and cranny. Every second had to be a moment that just gave the story even more depth, even more reasons to cry, even more reasons to smile and to scream. I think PAC allowed us to run now. I think PAC taught us, OK, we're here, but now always push ourselves. And we also didn't have enough time there. It was like, oh, we're here. Hurry up. Right now, we have the time to do more work, to make it bigger.

[6:15] Mike Abrams: What's your favorite piece of choreography in the show?

[6:19] Omari Wiles: Oh, I have so many. I mean, last night during the last preview, I got to really witness.

[6:27] Arturo Lyons: You were there last night?

[6:28] Omari Wiles: Yeah, I came. I canceled class. I came.

[6:32] Arturo Lyons: Let me tell me.

[6:33] Omari Wiles: I'm sorry. I came. I had to. I had to. My girls from Death Becomes Her were here, so I had to say hello. But it was really watching Victoria's solo and just seeing her maturity as a dancer come through, that's become really one of my favorite pieces. But then I honestly, the whole Jellicle Ball is just a rush of like.

[6:56] Arturo Lyons: It has the most complex choreography.

[6:59] Omari Wiles: Yes. Yes. But it's also it's in your face, but you're never missing a taste of anything. You know, you're getting a full course meal.

[7:08] Mike Abrams: Awesome. Next up, costume designer Qween Jean.

[7:12] Qween Jean: The most exciting thing has been as a contributor has been seeing the impact on this community. Two nights ago, I watched a show and there was an entire family here, young people, students. And it was just magical to see like the light, to see them receiving this gift. That is Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece. Lord, Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece. And so that was touching. And I will also say to that. And family, that's why we're here.

[7:58] Qween Jean: And I would just say that what is really special? There was a young person that stayed after the show. I think they're turning 12 this week. They said their birthday is next week. And they're like, you know, I'm really interested in fashion design and creating clothes. And I just saw so many beautiful ideas today. And I said to them, keep going. You know, we never know what inspiration is going to hit. But that that was so powerful to see young people even just responding to the work that we're doing. So that's how I felt when I first saw my first show. And so it just feels so magical to be able to continue this legacy of storytelling, artistry and really exquisite costume design work.

[8:36] Mike Abrams: Next up, Gus the Theater Cat, Junior LaBeija.

[8:41] Junior LaBeija: I have a lot of traditional theater cast fans. So what's something you would say to them about this production that are maybe coming and don't know as much about the ballroom community, but know cats really well?

[8:54] Junior LaBeija: Listen with your heart, not for the lyrics or the notes. Listen with your heart, because Cats, this version shows you that all humans have values.

[9:12] Mike Abrams: A lot of the Cats community thinks Gus should be the Jellicle Choice. So how do you think about Grizabella going to the Heaviside Lair and Gus's opportunity to go to the Heaviside Lair?

[9:24] Junior LaBeija: That's something that for the traditional Cat viewers to still work out, because it's true. Yes, Gus deserves to go to the Heaviside Lair. However, when you have lived a full life and you don't have no regrets, you don't mind leaving this life. And in recognizing that, you can say simply a job well done. Or if you love someone like Gus loves Grizabella and Deuteronomy, it's OK for her to go because she was being her authentic self.

[10:12] Mike Abrams: Next up, Macavity is Leiomy.

[10:15] Leiomy: I'm excited for the people to see the show who haven't seen the show. And I'm also excited just to share the stage with my cast. I feel like every night is so magical and so special and I really look forward to doing that.

[10:27] Mike Abrams: So my show has a lot of the traditional Cats fans. What would you say to them as someone who's so legendary and iconic in the ballroom scene about what they're going to experience from the theater perspective, but also from the ballroom perspective?

[10:40] Leiomy: I think that what they will experience the most is authentic joy. They're going to be laughing a lot, especially because of me. I'm a clown. They're also going to see a lot of authentic stories come to life in so many different ways and layers of love, joy and happiness.

[10:58] Mike Abrams: Awesome. Next up is DJ Griddlebone Kennard.

[11:02] Kennard: What are you most excited for for tonight?

[11:05] Kennard: Bringing Cats to a new generation of people. This iteration of the show is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. But it's so groundbreaking and so joyous that it's going to change the face of Broadway.

[11:22] Mike Abrams: So as someone who is from the Cats community, what would you say to the traditional theater Cats fans who are coming to see this reimagined production but don't know as much about it?

[11:36] Kennard: I would say this ain't your grandma's Cats and get ready for the ball. It's all the music, all the lyrics and a whole nother story. So just get ready for it because it is a slapdash joyride.

[11:51] Mike Abrams: What has been your favorite part of doing this production versus doing it on Broadway as Macavity?

[11:58] Kennard: Being able to live out loud and be who I am as a person and be able to bring that to the stage. It's so amazing. You know, when I was on Broadway in the 80s, to be openly gay was something that you didn't want to express, even though I was openly gay always. But you didn't express that out loud. And now we can express who we are without having to worry about being ostracized or anything like that. So it means a lot.

[12:30] Mike Abrams: Next up is Swing Trotty Brown.

[12:32] Trotty Brown: What are you most excited for for tonight?

[12:34] Trotty Brown: I am excited for my cast to take the stage. They've worked so, so hard. I'm swinging the show, so I'm not on tonight. But I'm really excited for everyone to see the hard work and dedication that they put in to tell this story. And I think the story will literally resonate with absolutely everybody and anybody. You'll have such an aha moment when you see the show told in this way.

[12:53] Mike Abrams: So I have a lot of what I'd call the traditional cast fans. What would you say to them about why they would love this production, this reimagined production of The Joker Ball?

[13:03] Trotty Brown: I think they would love the production because the music itself is sung the same. The story is told very different and very reimagined as we say. But the music is the same. So the songs that you love and that you've come to know so well, you can come and sing right along with us.

[13:19] Mike Abrams: Amazing. Next up is Bombay Arena and Garnett Williams.

[13:23] Garnett Williams: What are you most excited for for tonight?

[13:25] Garnett Williams: I'm excited to get to practice the craft I love professionally. And just give the gift of live theater away to everybody in that audience. So this is, I'm sure there's a lot of traditional cast fans. What would you say to them about the amazing Joker Ball?

[13:41] Garnett Williams: I would say if you can find light and love and joy in even one of the original cast, you're going to find it in so many places in our cast too.

[13:50] Mike Abrams: Okay. Next up is Demeter, Bebe Nicole Simpson.

[13:54] Bebe Nicole Simpson: What are you most excited for for tonight?

[13:56] Bebe Nicole Simpson: I'm most excited to be open and see how this show breathes once we are adjusting, adjusting.

[14:06] Mike Abrams: But it's going to continue to adjust, right?

[14:08] Bebe Nicole Simpson: Of course. Yeah, no, I'm still tweaking up my jokes. I tried one. I know exactly what I want. It's something about the devil wears Prada, but I, you know, I didn't quite get it right. So I'm going to try it again tonight. If it doesn't work, you'll hear it, you know. I'll keep going. Keep moving on.

[14:25] Mike Abrams: I love it. I love it. Exactly. What would you say to the traditional cast fans who are seeing this reimagined production for the first time?

[14:32] Bebe Nicole Simpson: Oh, I would say that I'm like, I'm particularly interested in talking with them about it. I would say like, come with an open mind and heart, especially if you're really locked into the, they should be cats, they should be cats. There's something that Jaylen had told me when we were talking about it literally two years ago, was that because it's based off of a series of poems, when you take nothing literally, all of the metaphors start to shine in ways that like, you don't really expect. So if you come with just like, not locked and loaded into that, and they will be able to, the cast fans in particular, will be able to detect all of the ways that we've changed it and in ways that people who don't know it will. So they have a special insight and hopefully more will be more vivid for them.

[15:26] Mike Abrams: I love it. I think it's the best of both worlds. Ah, period. Next up is ensemble member Kaylin West.

[15:32] Kaylin West: Tonight I am just excited to share this amazing experience with the audience, with everybody. I think that everyone is coming in with just so much joy and like, the thrill. So I'm just excited to be a part of that space together with everyone.

[15:49] Mike Abrams: So for the traditional cast fans that don't know as much about what they're coming to see, what would you tell them to be ready for and to get them excited?

[15:56] Kaylin West: I mean, this is nothing like that. But, not in a bad way, not in a way that like, talks down to the original cast with, you know, with the fur and with the tails, but it's so evolved and it just takes it to a whole new level that is so special. So I think people can expect to like, get something totally new from it and still enjoy the music, the vibes, just in a whole new way. It's gonna be really fun.

[16:26] Mike Abrams: Next up is Mongo J, Jonathan Burke.

[16:28] Jonathan Burke: Okay, what are you most excited for tonight?

[16:31] Jonathan Burke: I'm excited for the audience to experience this for the first time. Those who are new to see what we brought to Broadway and how we've changed from back to today.

[16:41] Mike Abrams: What's been the most exciting change between the two venues for you?

[16:46] Jonathan Burke: I think the setup of the audience is different now and I'm really excited about how we now interact in different ways and different perspectives and some new set pieces that I don't want to give away and the costumes. It's just been bumped up for Broadway.

[17:03] Mike Abrams: Next up is Victoria, Baby Byrne.

[17:06] Baby Byrne: What are you most excited for tonight?

[17:08] Baby Byrne: Just to be present in the moment with my mom here and my best friend Kevin. And yeah, just everyone here just to enjoy it all.

[17:17] Mike Abrams: What's something that you would say to people that saw it downtown to be excited for in this transfer on Broadway?

[17:23] Baby Byrne: I would say that, for me at least, this theater feels more intimate than the one downtown. Like people are a little bit closer together. So even though it's Broadway, you know, the vibe is still intimate. So that's what I would say.

[17:41] Mike Abrams: Next up is Milkis Trap, Dudney Joseph Jr.

[17:44] Dudney Joseph Jr.: What are you most excited for tonight?

[17:47] Dudney Joseph Jr.: I'm excited for... Oh, what am I excited for? Curtain Call, tonight's Curtain Call in particular. It's not for me, but just I think the debuts, just the road that it took to get here. It is another show, yes, but like we just worked so... Everybody on that stage has worked so hard and has endured so much. And I think for a lot of us, it was a shock kind of being thrown into the machine. And so to have finally arrived, I'm like, yeah, everyone really deserves those flowers tonight. So I can't wait to see that.

[18:24] Mike Abrams: If you were, I'm going to put you on the spot. If you were doing The Wrong Cat Died and the Curtain Call with your thing, how would you do it?

[18:31] Dudney Joseph Jr.: Oh, if I was doing... If you were doing like the, you know, at the end, you do all the Curtain Call.

[18:35] Mike Abrams: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[18:36] Dudney Joseph Jr.: How would you chant for The Wrong Cat Died?

[18:38] Dudney Joseph Jr.: Oh, for The Wrong Cat... Can I give you the mic? What's here?

[18:42] Mike Abrams: The Wrong Cat Died.

[18:44] Dudney Joseph Jr.: Oh.

[18:47] Mike Abrams: What's your...

[18:50] Dudney Joseph Jr.: You want to know who The Wrong Cat Died?

[18:52] Mike Abrams: I want to know who The Wrong Cat Died.

[18:54] Dudney Joseph Jr.: I want to know who The Wrong Cat Died.

[18:56] Dudney Joseph Jr.: Who The Wrong Cat Died.

[18:58] Dudney Joseph Jr.: That's all I would do. I don't know.

[19:00] Mike Abrams: That was a little rusty.

[19:01] Dudney Joseph Jr.: No, I mean, I put you on the spot.

[19:03] Mike Abrams: OK. Next up is Cassandra and Skimbleshank's Emma Sofia.

[19:08] Emma Sofia: OK, what are you most excited for tonight?

[19:11] Emma Sofia: All of it. Everything. I'm really hungry, so I can't wait to eat. I'm excited to take that first bite of food after the show, when you're all happy and excited, and you're like, oh, I deserved this, I did it. I just watched your, and commented on your mic'd up behind the scenes. One of the first things they have is, where's my sandwich?

[19:34] Mike Abrams: So you're...

[19:35] Emma Sofia: Yeah, I'm consistent. I'm consistent.

[19:37] Mike Abrams: OK. What's been the biggest change from coming from downtown to Broadway?

[19:44] Emma Sofia: The space. The space. We had a lot more space. Because of the pack, they converted three theaters into one. We had a 50-foot runway. Now we are in this historic building that's quite small. So, you know, Rachel, our set designer, had to shift things around. But it feels big. It feels the way that everybody's seated and oriented, it still feels like we're in a big ball.

[20:11] Mike Abrams: Next up is the rum-tum-tugger Sidney James Harcourt.

[20:14] Sidney James Harcourt: Well, you know, I needed to bring it hard, because this is Catsy Jellicle Ball, and if it's a yellow carpet, you need to turn a look. So we dug deep, and came up with something amazing. My husband actually...

[20:33] Mike Abrams: Designed this?

[20:34] Sidney James Harcourt: Well, he worked with a designer to kind of craft what he wanted, and this is what we ended up with.

[20:42] Mike Abrams: Awesome, awesome. What are you most excited for tonight?

[20:46] Sidney James Harcourt: The last beat of the orchestra to hit when it's all done. It's been a crazy ride to get here to opening night. It's felt like a marathon at times. It's been incredible. But I really want to party and celebrate with these cast members of mine that deserve it. This feels like the finish line, and so I honestly can't wait for us to be able to take that breath of relief of having done what seemed impossible, which was bring Catsy Jellicle Ball to Broadway.

[21:25] Mike Abrams: Next up is Bustopher Jones and Nora Schell.

[21:28] Nora Schell: First and foremost, I just learned tonight that you have the best line on the show of Schubert's paying the Con Ed bill.

[21:34] Nora Schell: Yes, I do. I did not know that was you.

[21:36] Nora Schell: It was, it was, yes. How did you come up with that?

[21:40] Nora Schell: So it initially was, Syllaba, did you pay the Con Ed bill? And then our associate director, Cooper Howell, was like, hey, what if we made it Schubert's, did you pay the Con Ed bill? So it was a little mishmash, but yeah.

[21:53] Mike Abrams: I love it. It made me laugh so much. It was so fun. What are you most excited for for tonight?

[22:01] Nora Schell: I don't know. I don't even want to say relief, but the gratification of this finally being here and opening, because it's been a long path. And I haven't even been there for all of it, but I know for some of these folks who have been with it from the beginning, it felt like an impossibility, and now the impossibles become possible.

[22:20] Mike Abrams: So now that Bustopher has a bigger bar to deal with here, what's been the biggest change coming from downtown to Broadway?

[22:28] Nora Schell: We changed a lot of the blocking. When we had the pack runway, we were going all around it. Now we've made it a little more contained because of how we have this proscenium staging. I think the biggest change also is just myself. I feel a lot more confident. I'm not faking it until I make it anymore. I actually feel the confidence that Bustopher has.

[22:50] Mike Abrams: Next up is the magical Mr. and Mrs. Athletes, Robert “Silk” Mason.

[22:53] Robert “Silk” Mason: I'm excited. I'm excited for many things. But I'll say my favorite moment of all is the Heaviside Lair when Grizabella goes up because they really amped up this Heaviside Lair and the way that it comes out. I don't want to say too much, but it just makes me very emotional to experience this moment also with everyone because none of us are really moving. So to really sit here and relish and take in that moment of Grizabella going up to the Heaviside Lair and that being the symbol of basically where all of us could be at at some point in time in this cat realm. Although, of course, it's not something that gets made, but just having that idea in my head to understand what that would also feel like as Mustafa leaves going up into the Heaviside Lair at some point, it speaks volumes. But to know that it's Grizabella, a trans woman, Chastity playing Grizabella, it's groundbreaking.

[24:10] Mike Abrams: Can you tell us about this and give us a twirl?

[24:13] Robert “Silk” Mason: Oh, yes. This is Robert Silkmason, Silk Designs. I created this last year. I took my kids to Paris for a ball, and it was for the runway category. But for this opening night, I wanted to amp it up a little bit to give you guys a little bit. Let's see it.

[24:35] Mike Abrams: Incredible. Incredible. Yes, I hand-sewed it all.

[24:40] Robert “Silk” Mason: Yes, I have an industrial sewing machine, but most of it I hand-sewed.

[24:46] Mike Abrams: Amazing. Next is the original Grizabella, Betty Buckley.

[24:51] Betty Buckley: What are you most excited for tonight?

[24:53] Betty Buckley: Just to see this new production. I saw it downtown, and apparently it's really grown a lot. I loved it downtown, so I can't wait to see it now.

[25:02] Mike Abrams: As somebody who's so well-known in the Cats community, what is your view on the reimagined production and bringing a whole new audience to Cats?

[25:11] Betty Buckley: I think it's genius. I'm so excited for them. They're ecstatic about making their Broadway debuts, and I'm ecstatic for them.

[25:19] Mike Abrams: Next is the legendary Mr. Mistoffelees, Jacob Brent.

[25:22] Jacob Brent: We talked about this downtown. We talked about all the different types of Cats. What are you most excited for tonight?

[25:29] Jacob Brent: Just the show to have a new life and live on and be exposed to a whole new audience of people that don't know the show. It's going to be really exciting.

[25:41] Mike Abrams: Is there anything from this production, this reimagined production, that you will bring to any future productions? I know you teach a lot and show a lot. Is there anything you'll bring from this reimagined production?

[25:54] Jacob Brent: I hope the spirit of it and the energy. I might steal a few things here and there. I'm not quite sure yet, but there's a lot of good stuff.

[26:04] Mike Abrams: If you were going to go on this production, if you were going to come in, who would you want to play?

[26:10] Jacob Brent: I don't have a dude at this point. I love Skimbleshanks. I always have loved Skimbleshanks, so maybe that.

[26:21] Mike Abrams: Next is Kevin Cahoon.

[26:23] Kevin Cahoon: What am I not excited about for the Jellicle Ball tonight? It is the biggest celebration of life. It is so life-affirming. Cats was my first Broadway show at the Winter Garden. Cats, I was thinking today, was really the first immersive production. You sat in the junkyard. The cats came up to you. For this show to be back on Broadway in such an important way, and in such a way that cements its place in pop culture history in such a forward way, I'm just so honored and proud to be here and be a part. I'm just grateful.

[27:08] Mike Abrams: Amazing. Who would you want to perform and play as? If you could go on as one of these characters, which cat would you want to be?

[27:14] Kevin Cahoon: Well, listen. These people are brilliant and geniuses. But if I had to be anybody, I mean, I love, I guess, am I Gus the theater cat at this point? Have I reached that point? Have you reached Gus? No. Listen, Junior, you can't touch Junior. And I love her on Tum Tugger. She's like the banger of all bangers. There's not a more joyous song. But you know, Grizabella would be fun too.

[27:39] Mike Abrams: Next is Todrick Hall.

[27:42] Todrick Hall: I'm just excited for audiences to experience this. I mean, I've gotten, I've been fortunate enough to be welcomed to a few balls and to going to, you know, being a part of things that are happening in the Vogue scene in New York and in LA. And I just think that the reimagining of this, you know, I've said it before. If I were a Tony voter, this would get my vote for best revival because it is a complete reimagining of one of the most classic musicals that you thought couldn't never make sense in any other way. And now it somehow makes so much sense told through this lens and with this device.

[28:15] Mike Abrams: If you were going to go on in this production, you've done Rum Tum Tugger, who would you want to go on? Which cat would you want to be?

[28:21] Todrick Hall: I would want to go to the gym for about six months to a year. And then I would gladly be the cover of Sidney who plays Rum Tum Tugger here. No, I think that Jelly Lorem, I think is the character's name, the beautiful, incredible, talented with the blue turquoise braids. I think that their track is just so gorgeous. And I would never be able to sing that material, but it's one of the performances that blew me away when I watched the show.

[28:44] Mike Abrams: Next is influencer Jess Val Ortiz.

[28:47] Jess Val Ortiz: I'm so excited. I'm just so excited for everyone to see how special the ballroom community is and just how exciting it is and how special and how such stars they are. It's really amazing. And it's amazing to have a beautiful space of queer, extremely talented people, and they just get to be stars on stage. I'm so excited and honored to be supporting them.

[29:12] Mike Abrams: Who is your favorite character in Cats?

[29:15] Jess Val Ortiz: I have to say Sylva because my dear friend Teddy Wilson, who I went to college with, we went to musical theater school together. She is making her Broadway debut tonight in the role. So I have, she's amazing. And so I'm just so proud of her and honored to be supporting her.

[29:32] Mike Abrams: Next up is Lea DeLaria.

[29:34] Lea DeLaria: The opening. Free food, free drinks, and lots of dancing with the cast. We are going to be dancing our face off all night.

[29:41] Mike Abrams: If you could be in the show as one of the Cats, who would you want to perform as?

[29:44] Lea DeLaria: Oh my God. I want to be Asparagus. Gosh, that's the theater cat. I can't fucking dance, that's why. I dance well enough to be a principal, bitches. That's it. So Gus would be the one I'd want to be.

[30:01] Mike Abrams: Next is LaChanze.

[30:03] LaChanze: I'm excited for so many people to see just how fantastic this performance is tonight. And to see what this musical that was written decades ago, how it's being reimagined so radically and what it's doing for society right now, what we need. And I think it's so special.

[30:23] Mike Abrams: If you could be in the show as one of the Cats, which Cat would you want to perform as?

[30:27] LaChanze: Grizabella. You want to be Grizabella? I want to be Grizabella. One day. I want to be Grizabella. I want to be Grizabella. I want to be Grizabella.

[30:35] Mike Abrams: Next is Marty Gould Cummings.

[30:37] Marty Gould Cummings: I'm excited for ballroom, queer joy, trans representation, celebrating black culture, redefining Broadway in a new way. And this show I think is a big F you to the hatred and the bigotry that's sweeping this country. And yeah, I'm just really pumped for it.

[31:07] Mike Abrams: I love it. If you could be one of the Cats on stage, who would you want to perform as?

[31:11] Marty Gould Cummings: If I was one of the Cat, the litter box. No, just kidding. I don't know. I'm a terrible dancer, so I don't know. But I would be like, I would just make my own character. I'd be some little scrappy alley cat in the back that's like, hey girl.

[31:27] Mike Abrams: What would your cat's name be?

[31:29] Marty Gould Cummings: Oh, Jingle Jangle.

[31:32] Mike Abrams: That sounds cute. Next is Jen Colella.

[31:36] Jen Colella: I'm excited for all this fabulousness. Do you hear the fan click? I want a lot of that is what I want.

[31:44] Mike Abrams: Awesome. If you could be in this show as a Cat, which Cat would you want to perform as?

[31:47] Jen Colella: Well, I'm Tum Tugger 100%.

[31:50] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Alright. Next is Olivia Lux.

[31:54] Olivia Lux: Okay, let's see. The music. I'm a music girlie, and I loved the music last time I saw it off-Broadway, and I know they're about to tear it up tonight.

[32:02] Mike Abrams: Okay. So you were guest judge downtown, but if you could perform as one of the Cats, which Cat would you want to perform as?

[32:08] Olivia Lux: Okay. I got to give it to my girl, Leomi, who is turning it out as Macavity. I cannot wait to see her. She is an incredible artist, and I can't wait to see what she does with the role.

[32:18] Mike Abrams: Okay. Next is Vanity LaVain.

[32:21] Vanity LaVain: Great to meet you. What are you most excited for for tonight?

[32:24] Vanity LaVain: I am so excited to see the amazing queer joy that I'm going to see tonight, not only on stage, but also in the audience. I mean, we have people in their most beautiful costumes and most beautiful makeup, and it's just a lot of just, I feel so welcomed in a community that is not only the theater community, as I used to be an actor, now I'm just a cross-dresser, but I am so excited to see what I look like on stage and around me, so I can't wait for that.

[32:52] Mike Abrams: If you could be in the production as one of the Cats, who do you want to perform as?

[32:55] Vanity LaVain: What's funny is, I would love to be Rum Tum Tugger because he's such an ego-filled character, and you know, my name is Vanity, and I think ego and being vain is a version of self-love, and I think it's okay to feel confident, just like he does.

[33:13] Mike Abrams: Awesome. I am right next to Andrew Lloyd Webber, who's over here talking to the media, and I don't think he's going to answer questions about the Jellicle Choice, but I want to know, what is a Jellicle Cat? Did the wrong cat die or the right cat die? Tell me more about Bad Cinderella. Sir, Andrew, we have more questions for you.