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.

[0:15] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of Cats Astrophe. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have another amazing guest. He is currently in Back to the Future, and you might have recognized him from the Book of Mormon or one of his many amazing TikToks. But what you might not know is that he was in the infamous Cats production at Elon University as the magical Mr. Mistoffelees. So welcome, JJ Niemann. Thank you for joining me.

[0:39] JJ Niemann: Thank you for having me. Wow, what an intro. My claim to fame is Mr. Mistoffelees at Elon, you know? It lives on.

[0:46] Mike Abrams: This also started because we talked at BroadwayCon, but it had to have been a year to two years ago. You were doing this TikTok where it was a trend, where you were ranking. It was a drag queen clip, and you were ranking characters, and you just said Mr. Mistoffelees, and then you just said nothing else about it. And ever since, I've been like, what happened? And it wasn't until I realized that you were in the production with Fergie that we talked about with Fergie really early in this podcast. And I wanted to hear your version and your story about the wild production you all did. So I'm so glad that we're finally making this.

[1:22] JJ Niemann: Me too. I mean, honestly, these stories need to be told. Someone needs to hear this.

[1:29] Mike Abrams: I love it. So let's start, though, before you found out that you're doing this as the production, because a college production, I'm sure I've seen all the fun of like, here's what we're going to do. But before that, how familiar were you with Cats? Had you seen it a bunch? Did you know a lot about it?

[1:44] JJ Niemann: I had never seen the show. And I think, obviously, the iconic, like, literally my roommates and I had a VHS player in our, because they had all these old Disney movies, and they would love to watch them and put them on. So that was something that we used to do. And one of the VHSs that my roommate had was the, you know, the filmed Cats, the iconic one with Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, that production, who now is a professor at Elon, by the way, which is really cool. But yeah, so that was my introduction to it. And I don't know if we watched it on a whim, or if we watched it in anticipation in research before the auditions. I don't remember, but I do. That was my first experience with Cats.

[2:29] Mike Abrams: Okay. So take me to the moment that you were told Cats was the choice for that year. What went through your mind?

[2:35] JJ Niemann: Oh, when they announced the season, it was so funny, because like, the other shows, what were the other shows? We did Parade, which is, like, obviously, like, beautiful show and very heavy. And the spring show was Little Women, which also was, like, we were so excited about. And then we had Cats in there. And it was just like, what a lineup.

[2:55] JJ Niemann: What a lineup, you know, and there's something for everyone, I guess. And so I actually, I was fortunate enough to, I didn't get any roles at Elon until my senior year. And then I was cast as a lead in every show my senior year. And we also did Rock of Ages as our senior show, which was very fun. But that was like more of like a black box production. But yeah, when they announced Cats, I was like, you know what, I will be in this as someone who is one of the stronger dancers in the program. And I was like, I mean, let's go. But I was like, this is crazy. Like, it was just so funny.

[3:33] Mike Abrams: Okay, so you, I mean, you knew you're gonna do it. And you probably knew you're gonna be Mistoffelees. So did you, besides the 1998 movie, what was your prep for this? Did you, like, dig into the character? Did you just go and have fun? Did you get a little drunk and watch the movie?

[3:49] JJ Niemann: Oh, my gosh. I mean, we watched them film, which was that was basically my only research. And I will be honest with you. The auditions for this show were some of the funniest things I've ever experienced in my life. Now in college, they kind of encourage you to kind of dress in a semblance of the character. So when I tell you for my vocal audition, oh, I was in, you know, black and white and like, all you know, a specific get up. And the fact of the matter is that I went out and bought a cat tail, ears, I cut up fingerless gloves, I need to show you a picture. I wonder if I can find it. It was, I looked insane. I had a white tank top on with a black vest, black, like, legging, like dance type leggings, tights, white socks, my jazz shoes.

And then I had fingerless gloves, ears, pinned a tail to myself, and everyone was like, encouraged to go. I almost wonder if, if our professor was just like, literally, like punking us. And it's like, just wanting to see how far we go, because everyone showed up, dressed as like, cats, like rehearsal tails, quote unquote, rehearsal tails, which is what they use. And it's like, we all had our own version. And it's like, we were encouraged to commit and we went hard. And I looked insane. I was insane.

[5:10] Mike Abrams: I love the commitment to that. It's kudos to your professor, because to do the show, you do have to like, embody a cat at all times. Like, you have to kind of really do that, because you're on stage almost the whole show. So yeah, that's a, that's definitely a move for auditions. I hope you can find that picture so we can post it.

[5:28] JJ Niemann: Do you want me to do that while I'm here?

[5:30] Mike Abrams: We'll post, no, I want to post it when we post this episode, because I want to share, if you're comfortable having it going out to the world, we need that audition photo to go with, to go with this.

[5:41] JJ Niemann: Okay, cool. Sounds good.

[5:42] Mike Abrams: Amazing. Okay. So you get cast as Mistoffelees and you only did a couple of weeks, right? Or a weekend? Like it wasn't that long.

[5:50] JJ Niemann: Oh, a weekend. It was, and that was enough.

[5:53] Mike Abrams: Yeah.

[5:53] JJ Niemann: A weekend was enough. I mean, we did maybe, I want to say five shows. It was like a Wednesday through Saturday or something, or Wednesday through Sunday, something like that.

[6:01] Mike Abrams: Okay. So tell me about the stories that you remember from this, because you all made some choices in, there were some, some changes to some, some cats and some characters and some concepts that were, I've heard a little, but let's, let's get more of this on the record here.

[6:17] JJ Niemann: For sure. I mean, first of all, playing Mistoffelees obviously was my goal. And I think I underestimated, like, I'm a strong dancer in terms of specifically like style-wise and like movement quality. But I'm much more of like a stylistic dancer than a technical, like ballet, like I did not grow up with ballet. So like my ballet training was in college. So Cats is a very technical dance show. And so when our professor, like I had my one-on-one session for hours, like learning, like the Mistoffelees dance break, and we basically created it together and she made it very hard. And honestly, looking back, I should have just been like, can we cut out this, this, this, and do something that I look better doing?

But like, I went hard. Like, I was like, you know, I really put everything I could into it. And that's why when you said like, how many shows did we do? I was like, thank God it was only one weekend because my body was breaking. I was like, I just don't dance like this. And I'm not Gumby, super like long limbed and can just like jet a my life away with leaps about, you know? So, okay. So in terms of the concept of the show, I mean, obviously it was funny because you get a credit. It was our winter term show, which is where you literally, they call it winter stock kind of because we have a one month semester. So we have like the fall semester, spring semester, and then we have like a one month, three to four week.

And so most people in college take a class there, or you do like a mini study abroad trip, which I did one year. But this year we did Cats and that was literally our 10 to six. It was like, we're not going to class and then rehearsing after it was like, no, we were like eat, sleeping and breathing cats. So you have a college credit in Cats basically.

[8:00] JJ Niemann: I literally got four college credits in Cats. Yes. And so us being in, you know, it's just so funny and silly. We're all in rehearsal tales. We're all like, it's just wild. Thankfully we had some pit singers, you know, all that good stuff. First of all, the production, the vision confusing because we're not in a junkyard, we're on a roof. So, and why are we on a roof? And everything is not to scale. Like the steps of like this, like stair thing is like twice the size. It should be compared to our bodies, like our little cat bodies. So why were we on a roof? I don't know why I don't have an answer for that. But the, you know, our, our professor was very ambitious and, you know, specifically with Mr. Mistoffelees, I will say the magic tricks didn't quite, um, go that well.

It was giving like a paper, you know, and just like that. And like one of my magic tricks was pulling out a pride flag. Um, and then not only that, but then like I was revealed behind the pride flag, like nuzzling up to a male kitty. So we were, we were making statements, uh, and the statement, and this was also 2017, right after the election, um, of Trump. And so every, you know, the, the feelings were fresh. And I think our professor took that and was like, I want to make some statements with this with cats, but like not using the text or anything like that, but wanting to do kind of, you know, like that being, you know, Mr. Mistoffelees' pride. Another moment, which I know we talked about, you had Fergie Philippe on the podcast who was in the production with me.

Um, and he played old Deuteronomy. And at one point he, you know, during the Mr. Mistoffelees number or after or something like he was, you know, rediscovered. And then there was like an, a giant newspaper article saying all cats to be deported. And it was a Trump kitty, a literal cat with a Trump toupee on it. And Fergie laid it out and like, like lifted his leg and peed on it and then like ripped it up. And like the audience was like, like we're in rural North Carolina. They're like, yeah, like crazy. Clearly it was all very topical. And you know, the Peaks and the Pollicles, that was another number we had instead of, um, the Peaks and Pollicles, we were the Republicans and Democrats. So one side had blue foam that we were throwing at each other.

And the other side had red foam. We were throwing at each other. Then the great rumpus cat comes out, Elvis Presley. What story are we telling? I don't know. Elvis Presley comes out, the great rumpus cat, he comes out and he's like, guys, stop fighting. Come on. And we all, there's a trap door. We, we throw all of the red and blue, um, foam pieces into the trap door and out pulls a giant purple heart. And it's all about unity and bringing us together. And I don't know if the audience picked up on like any of that, but those were some of the things that were being attempted. And it's just so funny. It's just, yeah, my, my whole family came by the way. And they still talk about this production. They're like, this was iconic. Like they, I literally told them, I was like, you can't miss this. Like, this is so weird and I will never be in anything like this again. So you need to come see this.

[11:39] Mike Abrams: So Cats is already a confusing plot and kind of loose and like, it can be challenging to follow and to take such interpretations. Cause there is very little it's based on poetry. That's not a story. There's the, the poem, the main poem, Grisabella's poem is not in the book that Elliot wrote. So it's like, it's kind of pulling it all together anyways. So there is a lot of room and I've heard some really interesting, like interpretations regionally where they did it in like an arcade or they did it in different places where there's not a lot, but your production seems to have taken the most liberties at here's what we can do with the, the outline of the show without truly changing it, but also like adding some moments that are 2017. Let's just leave it at like a very timely to that moment in time.

[12:25] JJ Niemann: Very timely to that moment. And I think, you know, and this was something we, we chatted briefly about when you and I, you know, met, um, at BroadwayCon, but I had just seen the iconic off-Broadway Cats that's happening right now at the, at the pack or PAC. I don't know.

[12:46] JJ Niemann: The pack. Yeah. And, um, and I actually went with my friend who played Grisabella in the production with me, my friend Ruby, and, um, which she sounded phenomenal. She was amazing. Um, but literally we watched it, we saw that production together and I intermission, I go to her and I was like, I feel like this, this is doing what our production was making attempts at doing, but like actually had a vision and actually implemented and took the time to like, really like, not just like a college professor respectfully. Love you, Lynn. Love you. Um, but not just a college professor being like, I want to do some stuff with this and make it different, but like taking time and workshops and energy to like literally piece everything so intentionally, but like our production, like our, um, Rum Tum Tugger was Beyonce Kitty.

Austin was upset. Who's now in Hamilton. Very, very chic, very fierce. He was obsessed with Beyonce at the time and literally had her like dance breaks memorized from like whatever current tour she was on at the time. And literally was like, I want to be Beyonce as Rum Tum Tugger. And so they, they got Austin a bust down wig, like a giant fricking down to the booty, like Beyonce wig. And, um, like he basically choreographed his own number, but it was just so, it was so random, but I'm like, that is kind of a little sprinkle of what this iconic off-Broadway cast is doing. And also, you know, they had like Fergie as old Deuteronomy in like dreads. And like, there were some really cool design choices that, that I see in the off-Broadway cats that I'm like, oh my gosh, we actually like attempted some of this in college. And this is just like the culmination of like it all actually working.

[14:31] Mike Abrams: Yeah. The difference is they spent four years, basically workshopping and working on it and had, you know, a huge team and you had a college professor doing it for a month, you know, like, you know, you have a short window for four or five performances. Um, but it's, it's cool. It's what I love about the show is, is that I have loved the PAX version because it does explain the story really well in a way that otherwise can feel sometimes lost because you've got so much going on with the costumes and a lot of characters on stage at all times. And so there, it is open for interpretation a little bit because it is loose. Like the story is really loose. And so it's cool to see and hear all these different versions.

I mean, I have 180 plus episodes talking to different people. I've talked to at least 30 different productions at this point. I have heard so many variations of the same thing basically, but that isn't, it's still cats. You go still get the iconic music you're used to. You see a lot of the dance moves that you're used to wanting to see, but you can make those tweaks. And so it's so fun to hear yours is like an extreme version of it. Like y'all went really topical and really different. And it's, it's there. It's, you know, it was there for the world for, I love that your family are like, you've got to see this. Like you, you knew even in the moment, like, this is, this is something that you have to put in your memory bag.

[16:00] JJ Niemann: Yes. And I mean, some of my friends at, at Elon literally came back multiple times. They were like, I have to see this again. Like, this is crazy. I, I will never see my friends do anything like this again. And it's, it was that kind of energy. And, you know, after that, I had, when I graduated, I went to see the cats revival in New York that some of my back to the future castmates were in. And I will say I had an edible peach ring before, and I was like, I want to be high and go see this with, you know, and we were sitting up in the mezzanine and I had the time of my life. I was like, at that, up until that point, I was like, I don't really like this show. Like after doing it, I was like, this, I don't like this show, I think, or like, don't understand it because based on our production, I was like, this is just so like, what are we doing?

And then I saw the revival and I was like, oh my God, this is so fun. And, and, you know, obviously I was tripped out. And like, I still, I remember standing up at intermission to go to the bathroom and I was like, whoa, whoa, like I thought I was going to fall off the balcony. I was that hot. So, you know, that really tainted my experience in a good way. But then when I saw this off Broadway production, which I'm sure you and many other people have said, like, it kind of like is finally like I understood the show. I was like, it felt like it was always meant to be this and it made everything make sense and have more purpose and meaning than I felt like it had before. And it was just, yeah, it changed my mind a little bit on the production on the show, I should say.

[17:26] Mike Abrams: I love that you saw the revival, uh, under influence because I didn't. And it was the first thing I said, I walked out, it was a matinee. It was the second to last preview on like a Saturday or something. And I just remember walking out being like, I needed something, something else to enhance this experience. And I wish I would have, I would have, uh, it would have definitely made that experience, uh, more different and probably more enjoyable, but also let's not condemn or, uh, encourage use it. Unless that's something you would like to partake in, but it definitely helps, uh, with cats because cats is wild as an experience. If you are sober and don't know what you're walking into, um, I want to ask a question because you have built an incredible following on Tik TOK and social media and you do all this fun stuff.

This didn't, you know, you didn't have that platform in 2017, right? How'd you have that? What would be some of the things you would have wanted to do while you had the, the like transitions of going from not in cat to in cat? Like what would have been some ideas you would have loved to have done?

[18:33] JJ Niemann: Oh my gosh, that's such a good question. I mean, I probably, I definitely would have done like a get ready with me and like done my like cat makeup, which I was not good at, but, um, you know, like learning how to do that and do like a get ready with me for that. And probably do some, we would have done some sort of dance challenges, a cast with like, you know, yeah, like those kinds of things would have been very fun to do, but it also was so fast that like, it's hard when you only, you tech a show and then you basically like, like it all happens in a week basically.

[19:04] Mike Abrams: We're going to take a quick break and then we'll be back for more of the wrong cat died. I want to transition here to back to the future because I've loved it. I hope everyone has had a chance to see it. It's been so fun. I got to see you. I think I saw you both times that I went to see the show, but one of my favorite things to do is to cast the cats characters into these shows. So I want to go through the back to the future cast with you and let's figure out which cat you think would be the best to act and portray as that character. Okay.

[19:25] JJ Niemann: Okay. Should we pull up the cast list? I have a couple of them, but I'm curious.

[19:30] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Let's I want to hear if you have any that jump out to you immediately. Um, let's see, like who would be Grizabella? Like, that's what I'm like. Okay. I did in the reverse. I went to, I went to the back to the future cast. I was like, all right, who's Marty? Oh, wait, which cat is back to the future. Yeah. Yeah. We're going that way. Oh God. Wow. That's actually so fierce. Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm here. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm aware now. Okay. You have some, you have some thoughts through Marty doc, George, Lorraine and Biff. Okay. I feel like Marty, why do I feel like it's kind of Mr. Mistoffelees? Is that crazy?

[20:17] JJ Niemann: No, I it's I debated between Mistoffelees and Tugger. Cause there is a little bit of confidence to like this. I know, I know what I'm doing and I have that. And that's very Tugger, but there is, yeah, there is a Mistoffelees too. I think it's kind of a little bit of the combination. Yeah. And I'm probably biased because I played both of those things. I'm like, I played that and I played that for sure. What about doc?

[20:42] JJ Niemann: Doc is, Oh, it's Gus, the theater cat, right? Or no, it's, or old Deuteronomy, like one of those two. That's the two I wrote down. I was like, it's gotta be one of those two. Yeah. And honestly, like, yeah, I definitely could see old Deuteronomy for sure because he does lead the show too. You know what I mean? It's like a very important pivotal role. What about George? George? Oh my gosh. Maybe like not Bustopher Jones. I'm like, who's like super awkward and lanky, but they're not because they're cats and they're like more like dancy. So I'm like,

[21:19] Mike Abrams: So I went with Demeter even though, because it's like skittish and had some stuff. So that was kind of how I was thinking about it.

[21:26] JJ Niemann: Oh, that's a good one. I like that. I like that. That also will tease into who I think Lorraine is. Okay. So do you think Lorraine is, um, Bob, Bob Ballerina? I do. I do. There's some confidence there, maybe a little out of place at times, but I, and those two are, you know, kind of a duo, although there's a large debate of if they're sisters, lovers, best friends.

[21:49] JJ Niemann: Oh, I definitely see. Okay. So I, I see that duo and I also could see for some reason, Mungo Jerry being George too, because Mungo Jerry is like super silly and like, I don't know. I feel like they also like part of that, um, role is physical comedy too. Cause they're like, Oh, you know, like running into each other, like getting nervous that they're like going to get caught and whatnot. So I feel like that also gives George McFly too.

[22:22] Mike Abrams: Yeah. So we could do the Mungo Jerry and Rumple teaser for the two of them as well.

[22:26] JJ Niemann: Yeah, that would be cute. Biff. I think Biff is the easiest one.

[22:30] Mike Abrams: Is that Bustopher Jones? I had him as Macavity. He's kind of the bad guy, right?

[22:34] JJ Niemann: Oh, cause he's the bad guy. Oh, duh. I was thinking because Bustopher Jones is like, yeah, like this and Biff is like, yeah, yeah, for sure.

[22:44] JJ Niemann: Um, no. Yeah. He's definitely the villain. It's definitely Macavity. Who else am I missing from Back to the Future? Um, um, Goldie.

[22:50] Mike Abrams: Goldie Wilson. Okay.

[22:53] JJ Niemann: Yeah. The mayor. Oh, I think. Who do you think? You got anybody?

[22:56] Mike Abrams: I feel like that could be Rum Tum Tugger in a weird way just because of the main character energy.

[23:02] JJ Niemann: Wait, what's the other, what's the wait, wait, wait. What's the other brother, the narrator?

[23:07] Mike Abrams: Mungo Strap.

[23:08] JJ Niemann: Mungo Strap. I could see it being that too.

[23:09] Mike Abrams: It could be Mungo Strap. It could be like a Jenny Anydots, a little bit mayor.

[23:13] JJ Niemann: Oh.

[23:14] Mike Abrams: Kind of like mother mayor type of thing.

[23:17] JJ Niemann: And Jenny Anydots song kind of gives a little bit gotta start somewhere.

[23:22] Mike Abrams: In our show. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then Marvin Berry is like technically a different character.

[23:27] JJ Niemann: True.

[23:28] Mike Abrams: Like that plays in the band. So that could be a cat too.

[23:32] JJ Niemann: Who would that be then?

[23:34] Mike Abrams: Um, I don't know.

[23:36] JJ Niemann: That one doesn't line up very clearly.

[23:39] Mike Abrams: No. Cause it's not a super, super, super defined character too. Um, but for the rock and roll aspect, it could be like a Rum Tum Tugger.

[23:49] JJ Niemann: It could be Tugger. Yeah.

[23:50] Mike Abrams: Yeah. And then there's also Principal Strickland.

[23:54] JJ Niemann: Oh yeah.

[23:55] Mike Abrams: Okay.

[23:57] JJ Niemann: So that would be, and that's someone that.

[23:59] Mike Abrams: Oh, I know that one right there.

[24:00] JJ Niemann: The antagonist.

[24:02] Mike Abrams: That's Skimbleshanks.

[24:03] JJ Niemann: Skimbleshanks. Yes. Yes. That's good.

[24:09] Mike Abrams: Okay. I love it.

[24:11] JJ Niemann: Oh my God.

[24:12] Mike Abrams: It's so fun. It's so fun to put the cat, the cats into these different shows because.

[24:16] JJ Niemann: Yeah.

[24:16] Mike Abrams: They usually line up from a couple of characters like perfectly.

[24:19] JJ Niemann: Yeah.

[24:22] Mike Abrams: And then others, it's like, that's not, it's not great.

[24:22] JJ Niemann: But it's so fun to think through personality wise. Like what does that look like? Cause it's, I think the beauty of cats is by having 30 ish characters with pretty defined like traits to be able to like have some, like most everyone who goes to see cats resonates with one of the cats in some capacity.

[24:39] JJ Niemann: For sure.

[24:41] Mike Abrams: Um, what can someone that's seeing back to the future expect if someone hasn't seen it? Like what, what do you, what's your pitch for them to go see it?

[24:49] JJ Niemann: Oh my gosh. Well, okay. Here's my pitch to be honest. I think first of all, it's a great show to bring families to it's, it's something that it makes me so happy to see so many men in theaters and bringing their sons. It's, it is a franchise that a lot of guys like, you know, it's, it's something that it's sci-fi, you know, it's like, it's just super can't be fun. And a lot of, I love seeing parents bring their kids and it's something they love so much and having their kids experience it for the first time. Like the kids probably haven't even seen the movie. This is their first exposure to it. So first of all, everyone always says, you know, Oh, it's a show, you know, go, go to see it. Cause there's a flying car and it's like, yes.

And we always joke about like at the show, we're like, we're literally doing a musical about a car. But like, the gag is that like, it's not like it is because that's kind of like the iconography of it is the DeLorean, the time machine. Um, but truly it's a show about family. And I think like, it's been very special for me to share it with my family coming to see me in the show. And, um, I truly think that it's just like, there's very few shows you can truly like is a family show on Broadway. Like that's not a Disney show. It's like, it makes me happy that there's something that like actually is appropriate for children to come to and you don't have to worry about it. And it's like, it's just good, old fashioned family fun.

It's an iconic story. And like, it truly like the story is, I think it's pretty magical and pretty special. Cause it's, it's about family. And like, also like Marty goes back in time and like actually learns to love his parents and like learns to love his family more because he didn't understand them before. And by helping them in the past, he like gains a familial love for them. So I don't know. I think it's super sweet and special.

[26:47] Mike Abrams: I love it. It's such a fun night on Broadway. So I always tell people is this, there's definitely shows where it's theater and it's heavy and it's like, it's beautiful and it's great, but it's, it's a lot and to process. And there are other shows where I'm like, this is a good time. Like you're going to have a great time. And that's how I feel like your show is. Have you thought about the fact that you're at the Winter Garden and your car essentially is driving to the Heaviside Lair every night?

[27:09] JJ Niemann: Oh, of course. And, and the fact that apparently I'm sure people have told you this, but at the Winter Garden theater, there's still where like Grizabella, like the crawl space where she used to crawl is still there. And like one of the, um, people who worked there at our theater and like have worked there for, you know, dozens and dozens of years, they were like, do you want to go see it? And so at some point we're going to, we're going to take a trip to the Heaviside Lair. I'm taking them up on that.

[27:34] Mike Abrams: Um, can I, can you invite me? I, it's like my dream to go up there and I've been trying to convince any production to let me come and just like do it. But all these union rules, blessed unions, but union rules always won't let this stuff happen because I'm not contracted with you all. Um, but yes, if you, it's, it would be so fun. I still, to this day, every time I walk by your theater, I take a picture of it and I color over the back to the future and just poorly write cats, uh, on it. And I've done it every time I'm there. And now it's across from Ding Tai Fung, which is, you know, my favorite. So you've got, it's a great, just a great part of town. I have not gone to New York, but I lived in Singapore for a minute. And so I went like multiple times a week when I lived there. And so, yes, it's a incredible, but let's do some quick cats, rapid fire to close this out here. So if you were going to be in cats for one night, any cat, who would you want to perform as?

[28:27] JJ Niemann: Ooh. Oh, um, um, um, um, Mungo Jerry.

[28:32] Mike Abrams: Nice. Okay. Yeah. Favorite and least favorite cat personality wise, like who do you want to hang out with and who would bug you?

[28:36] JJ Niemann: Ooh, who'd I want to hang out with? Um, I feel like Demeter would be a good time. I think honestly, the two of them, I want to hang out in a, in a trio.

[28:53] JJ Niemann: Okay. Um, I want to, I want to be their plus one for a little kiki, a little night out. And then who would I not want to hang out with? Um, honestly, Rum Tum Tugger seems full of himself, so, you know, he can, he can stay, he can stay by himself.

[29:07] Mike Abrams: Love it. Favorite song in cats.

[29:10] JJ Niemann: Oh my gosh. That's a great question. It actually probably is Macavity. I really like the jazziness and I love a good women's number where it's all just like belting and kicking and me fierce. And yeah, so that's my favorite. It's still my favorite right now. Um, which cat do you think would thrive in 1955? Uh, Bustopher Jones. That was my, it was, it was immediately. It's gotta be Bustopher. He's going to have the money. He's going to live his life. He's going to, he's going to work there. Most important question. This whole podcast centers around. I don't think Chrizabella is the right Jellicle choice. So I want to know who is JJ's Jellicle choice and why.

[29:50] JJ Niemann: Okay. So, okay. Can I ask a clarification question though? Because is the Jellicle choice and going to the Heaviside lair? I mean, that means you're going to heaven. That means you're dying, right?

[30:01] Mike Abrams: That's an open question. I think that that to me is part of why I make that argument against Chrizabella. So it just depends. Cause you're like, she shouldn't die basically.

[30:06] JJ Niemann: Yeah. I want her to spend some time with her family.

[30:14] Mike Abrams: I, I agree. I agree. And I mean, and I guess it can't be old Deuteronomy cause he's like running it, but I'm also like, you probably live the longest. You should be the one at some point he has to go. But if it's based off of earning your spot, okay. If, if we're thinking of it as a ball, okay. And winning all the categories and who actually stood out the most, I'm sorry, but it's Mr. Mistoffelees. He brought old Deuteronomy back. He's magical. He did all this stuff, all these acts of service. I think he deserves it, but I do think his time isn't over yet. So I don't, I wouldn't want his time to be over because he still has his family. And he's also in my mind, young too. So he has more time.

[30:58] Mike Abrams: Okay. So who's your vote? Is it Misto?

[31:01] JJ Niemann: I guess old Deuteronomy.

[31:05] Mike Abrams: Okay. We'll put, we'll put Mistoffelees as the second choice, but yeah, you're ready. Old dude. It's time. It's he's, he's had his time. He's, yeah, he's ready to go. He's tired. I know he's tired. I love it. This has been so fun. How can people stay in touch with you on social media, TikTok, Instagram, everything?

[31:15] JJ Niemann: Yeah. So it's just at J J Neiman, J J N I E M A N N. You can find me under that on TikTok, on Instagram and on YouTube. And yeah, that's, that's basically it.

[31:32] Mike Abrams: We will link all of that. We'll also link how to get tickets to Back to the Future. And hopefully we can find some of these photos, uh, from audition to, to throw out when, when this comes out as well, but this has been a blast. It's been so fun to hear the decisions of 2017 at Elon University and your college credit kudos for four credits for Cass. And, and you know what, we really changed the political landscape of Burlington, North Carolina, I think, um, by our production. That one weekend has swung voters.

[32:05] JJ Niemann: Yes. The impact.

[32:07] Mike Abrams: That's great. Um, this has been a blast again. Thank you so much.

[32:12] JJ Niemann: Thank you for having me. Bye everyone.

[32:14] Mike Abrams: And thanks everyone else for listening to this episode of the wrong cat died, the podcast breakdown of the cat's atrophy. To follow along, you can subscribe on Apple podcast, Spotify, or any other podcast. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and threads or check out our website.