“You have to see it. It’s one of those things that if you miss it, you’ve missed a cultural moment in time.” This episode features the incredible Ken Ard who originated the roles of Macavity, Plato, and the Rumpus Cat in the original Broadway production of CATS and is currently performing as DJ Griddlebone in CATS: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre. Ken shares his experience hearing the West End cast album, auditioning as a gymnast-singer-dancer, and developing Macavity as a chaotic street cat without the fan-made “family tree” lore, while learning in rehearsal through acting exercises alongside Betty Buckley. He describes the dangerous Rumpus Cat star-trap floor stunt, a knee injury during the original run, and meeting celebrities backstage. Ken dives into how The Jellicle Ball’s ballroom setting makes CATS clearer and emotionally resonant for a new era, his audition path into the expanded DJ Griddlebone role, and why skeptics and even CATS haters should see this reinvention, praising key performances and the production’s inclusive cast and culture.
01:05 Auditioning for CATS
03:25 Creating Macavity
05:05 CATS Lore vs Reality
09:16 Rumpus Cat Trapdoor
13:05 Original Run Memories
21:33 Becoming DJ Grizabella
28:31 Ballroom Meets Broadway
33:54 Standout Moments
44:53 Rapid Fire
- Check out Ken on Instagram: @thekennethard
- Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball
- Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com
Produced by:
Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied