This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:16] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of Catastrophe. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have another amazing guest.

[0:21] Mike Abrams: He's been in various productions of Cats as a performer, choreographer, director, and all kinds of roles since 2006. But most recently, he was an assistant to the infamous Chrissy Cartwright in the 2025 Australian tour. So welcome, Tommie Luyben, and thank you for joining me.

[0:38] Tommie Luyben: Thank you so much for having me. I'm very, very honored. Thank you.

[0:42] Mike Abrams: You were a name that when I was talking to people in the Jellicle world of like, who do you have to talk to because they know so much, your name came up all the time.

[0:52] Tommie Luyben: Oh, gosh.

[0:53] Mike Abrams: So I'm so glad that we have you here. And we're going to go through, because you've performed many times. You've helped, I think, with choreography. You've helped with telling the story. You've helped with Chrissy. So we'll get to all of this. I want to hear all these different experiences, but I want to start with your history with the show. When was the first time you saw it?

[1:13] Tommie Luyben: Well, the first time I saw it, I was in it.

[1:17] Mike Abrams: So you never saw it before.

[1:19] Tommie Luyben: Well, I did see the VHS, but I think there's a bit of history before the VHS because when I was young, I think like eight or nine, it was like the mid-90s. My mom bought me at like a local drugstore, this CD. I think it was Andrew Lloyd Webber because it had like Any Dream Will Do on it and Don't Cry For Me Argentina and all of those like Webber bangers. And there was Memory on it, which didn't really resonate with me back then because I wasn't a big ballad fan. But it also had Magical Mr. Mistoffelees on it. And I was like, ooh, what's this song? It sounds very magical. I didn't really know it. And then at the local library, they had this, the London cast recording, the original cast recording of Cats.

So I got that one for a week and I was like, oh my gosh, what is this? And especially with, I think the opening, like Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, it has this like magical quality to it. I felt very overwhelmed and like, what is this? And at the library, they also had this book of Cats, the musical, and it had a lot of pictures in it. So I just made up in my mind like kind of what it could be. It was very, because also the musical is very conceptual. I couldn't really grasp what it was, but it was just this little thing to it. And then years, years later, the VHS came. And also because then back then there wasn't really YouTube or there wasn't really that much available of live theater unless you went to the theater and watched it.

So I got the VHS and it mesmerized me. Like it was because I was already in dance school by then, like a high school dance school. And it was great to see all this talent of these performers and singing and dancing and being cats. And I remember like, what's her name? Jo Bingham playing Etc. And she was my favorite. And she was this electrical, exciting cat. And I was like, oh, who's she? And you got a Vianna Custer line playing Jemima. And she was also so mesmerizing. And the Internet was quite new, but still quite new back then. And then I used to go like go on the Internet and be like, ooh, Cats. And to watch the performers out of makeup, that was also really odd for me to see. It's like, oh, to see those performers being a full makeup or full wigs and to see them as human beings. So I think that's when the spark really, really started.

[3:53] Mike Abrams: So you had the CD to the cast album, to the London cast album, to then the VHS. So you were very familiar with it. You just had not seen it live on stage until you were in it.

[4:06] Tommie Luyben: Yeah.

[4:07] Mike Abrams: Okay. So then you get cast in 2006.

[4:10] Tommie Luyben: Yes.

[4:11] Mike Abrams: As a swing. The only way it's written in here is it just says Dutch tour.

[4:15] Tommie Luyben: Yeah.

[4:16] Mike Abrams: So tell me about that production.

[4:18] Tommie Luyben: I love that production. I think I just graduated. So it was fun. It was my dream show. And I just graduated. And it was my dream come true. And I was like, ah, I'm in Cats. And there were so many people in that production that wanted to be in Cats, who've been in the profession for years and years and years. And Cats wasn't around in Holland for at least 10 or more years. And it was like, oh, their final goal to be in Cats. So everybody really wanted to be in that production. So I was very, very happy to be part of it. And we just toured throughout the whole of Holland. So we would go with the bus every day from Amsterdam to all the cities in the Netherlands, back and forth, back and forth. So it was a lot of being in a bus every day.

So I think we would go to part around 3 in the afternoon. And then we would arrive at the theater and eat and do the makeup and everything. And then after the show, we went back with the bus and be home at like, I think, 1, 1.30. So it was hard. But it was fun. We had five Grizabellas, which was quite, five first class Grizabellas who would alternate, which was quite remarkable. And for the opening night one, Anita Meijer, she's called, she's a famous pop singer in Holland. They changed the key for Memory, especially for her. And I think it was the first time ever in Cats history they changed the key for Memory. So it was a big thing.

[5:50] Mike Abrams: So was this in English or Dutch?

[5:53] Tommie Luyben: This was in Dutch.

[5:54] Mike Abrams: Okay. It has a beautiful translation by Gerrit Komraai.

[5:58] Tommie Luyben: And the great thing about this, it's a beautiful translation, by the way. It's made even before the show was made because he just translated the original poems by T.S. Eliot.

[6:08] Mike Abrams: Oh, interesting.

[6:09] Tommie Luyben: And they translated also all the names. So all the Cats names had like Dutch names and all the references were all Dutch references. So Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were in the park here somewhere in Amsterdam. So they tried to make it very, very Dutch.

[6:23] Mike Abrams: So they already had the names translated. They had a little bit of the story, not like completely, but just more localized. I'm assuming, like you said, Mungojerrie, Bus for Jones maybe has some different pubs or, you know, different clubs. But so then you've done, so you've done it in Dutch and then the next stop is in German and then you've done it in English. Is there any other language you're tackling here? Are those the three?

[6:46] Tommie Luyben: Well, I've never performed it in English. I've never performed it. No, it's still on the list. You've just helped with the directing the English version.

[6:56] Tommie Luyben: Yeah, I know all the English lyrics, of course, but I've never performed it in English. Now I would love to, but not only in Dutch and German so far.

[7:04] Mike Abrams: Okay, so you do this Dutch tour, you swing, you cover a bunch of the Cats and then you have a break, an angelical break, and then you come back at the German tent tour and you do it in German in 2010 and 2013. Is that right?

[7:19] Tommie Luyben: That's what I have here.

[7:20] Mike Abrams: Yes, that's correct.

[7:21] Tommie Luyben: Well, I auditioned for the German tent tour and then after the first round, I made it through the next one. But I got another offer to do We Will Rock You in the Netherlands. And I was like, oh, well, I've already done Cats, so maybe I should just do We Will Rock You. Sounds fun and it's more. So I did that. And then at one point, doing We Will Rock You, I got a call and they were like, Tommy, we can't find a Mungojerrie. Are you interested? Do you want to come and audition? And I was like, oh, yeah, so as a swing with the cover. And they were like, no, no, no, first cast. And I was like, oh my God, Mungojerrie is still my dream role. So they flew me to London, which I felt so important. Because usually when I audition, I have to pay so much money to fly everywhere.

But they flew me to London. So I felt like the king and still audition for Chrissy. And then, yeah, I got the part. And the great thing about it, the girl playing Rumpleteazer, Marlene, Marlene de Vries, she was with me in college. We were in the same year. So she was a great friend of mine. And I was like, oh my God, I got Mungojerrie. So we got to be together, which was great.

[8:28] Mike Abrams: How difficult is it to, you know, you're doing the show. You know it in Dutch. It's not exactly the same, you know. And like you said, you know it in English. How hard is it to switch to knowing, like to performing it in German?

[8:41] Tommie Luyben: I think because it's not my native language. I think the hard thing is the pronunciation. Because it's also when I was in high school, German was not my favorite subject. So it was quite hard. So we got like lessons to, like phonetic lessons. So I spent a lot of time with like a cork in my mouth, trying to get all the words out right. So I think that's the hard thing about doing it in the language that's not so familiar, that it doesn't come naturally. You really have to think of the phonetics a lot. And that's quite hard, to be honest.

[9:24] Mike Abrams: So you do Mungojerrie, and then you have a little bit of time off, and then you come back at Skimbleshanks.

[9:28] Tommie Luyben: Yes, it's true.

[9:30] Mike Abrams: Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I was lucky somebody left. So someone left, you come back.

[9:35] Tommie Luyben: And I was like, oh.

[9:36] Mike Abrams: So I was allowed to come back at Skimbleshanks.

[9:38] Tommie Luyben: Yeah, I was very lucky with that one.

[9:40] Mike Abrams: Yeah, because you've already done it as a swing. Like that was part of your cover from the Dutch tour.

[9:46] Tommie Luyben: Yeah.

[9:47] Mike Abrams: And then you've got another couple-year break, and then you've got the Vienna revival.

[9:50] Tommie Luyben: Yeah.

[9:51] Mike Abrams: Which is also in German, right, I believe?

[9:53] Tommie Luyben: Yeah.

[9:54] Mike Abrams: So you're just bringing back your German.

[9:55] Tommie Luyben: Yeah, because you've never done it in English.

[9:56] Mike Abrams: No.

[9:57] Tommie Luyben: So it's also in German. And then you're a swing here, and you're covering, from what I've seen, almost every cat.

[10:03] Tommie Luyben: Basically, yes.

[10:06] Mike Abrams: Including one that had a name that I did not recognize on the thing here, which I'm assuming is maybe part of Peaks and Pollicles.

[10:16] Tommie Luyben: I don't even know how to pronounce it. It's Dschingis?

[10:21] Mike Abrams: Oh, Dschingis.

[10:22] Tommie Luyben: Dschingis? Oh, that's okay. Dschingis. It's not that elaborate. It's the little part that Corcopet does in the Siamese section.

[10:31] Mike Abrams: Ah, that's why. So you've got the whole Gusta Theater cat with the aria, Growl Tiger, and in Growl Tiger you've got a cavity called Dschingis, and that's what Corcopet does. That has not been in most of the production I've seen anymore. So that's why. I saw the name on there, and I was like, I know everyone, the rest of these. I know Bill Bailey and Carbuckety, but you also covered both twins.

[10:54] Tommie Luyben: So you covered Tantamile as well?

[10:56] Tommie Luyben: Yeah. It's just when they're girls, it's just like, oh, what do we do? So then usually a boy plays Tantamile, or sometimes it happens when a girl plays Corcopet. So you've got two girl twins or two boy twins, which is quite fun to do, actually. It's a fun thing.

[11:15] Mike Abrams: So this is obviously sat down, but we're going through these parts quickly, and we can come back to theories and relationships. But I really wanted to get to the most recent two, where you've been assistant director and assistant to Chrissy, because you're essentially going in and helping in the rehearsal room of not just the dance but also the storytelling, and you're working with a legend in Chrissy Cartwright. You do this in the Asia tour in 2022, and then you obviously did it recently in the Australia tour. What is that experience like?

[11:49] Tommie Luyben: You obviously know the show so well, you've done it multiple times, but now you're being brought in to teach the show, essentially, or really help a lot of that stuff. What is the rehearsal room like? How much storytelling? What are you doing? What are you bringing in before Chrissy or with Chrissy for those moments?

[12:07] Tommie Luyben: I was lucky that Chrissy always does the big storytelling. You heard all about it. So what we did for those, because Chrissy is so good at it, and it's such fun to hear the story and all the background from her. So for both productions, we set up a video call to wherever she was. One time she was in England, one time in Germany. So she could Zoom in or video call in to tell the cast and everyone the story of Cats. I never really did that. But it also depends on the cast a bit. You can guide them, you can give them straw, little bits of pieces of what the story is, what the story can be about. They have to do their own work and their own research and talk to each other to see what their connections are for this particular production and to see what their story is and their background story.

I think it's a beautiful thing about Cats that no production is the same because every cast is different, which also means that every background story and every relationship to each other is different. So it's also a lot of guiding the cast to explore all these things.

[13:25] Mike Abrams: Yeah. My dream is to hear Chrissy's version one time. I just want to hear that example. But when you're working on that and the cast is figuring stuff out or in the other versions you've done and you figure it out, are there any like, not rules, but anywhere it's like, hey, this one kind of has to be true. Like this has to be correct.

[13:46] Tommie Luyben: I mean, of course, you've got like the Macavity storyline and the relationship between Demeter and Macavity and like the whole Grizabella storyline that's kind of, there's a small bit that's more set. But also there's also a lot for them to explore in that as well. As I say, it doesn't feel that, the only thing that I feel like I have a hundred. Well, it's, I asked this because it's my favorite part of the show. What I love about this show most is the ability to, for a performer, as someone who's not a performer.

[14:27] Tommie Luyben: I always think of CATS as a picture book. Like a children's picture book come to life.

[14:57] Tommie Luyben: My first obsession with CATS started when I was really young. I remember listening to the soundtrack on repeat, and I had the VHS tape that I would watch over and over again.

[15:27] Tommie Luyben: When I finally got the chance to perform in CATS, it felt like a dream come true. I joined the Dutch tour as a swing in 2006, and it was such an incredible experience to be part of this world that I had loved for so long.

[15:57] Tommie Luyben: Performing in the German tent tour was a unique challenge. The language barrier was something I had to navigate, but it also added a new layer to the performance.

[16:27] Tommie Luyben: I had to learn not just the lines but also the nuances of the language and how to convey the character's emotions in German.

[16:37] Tommie Luyben: One of the most interesting aspects of being a swing is that you get to cover multiple roles. I performed as Mungojerrie and later Skimbleshanks, which kept things fresh and exciting.

[16:47] Tommie Luyben: I also swung for the Vienna revival, which meant I had to be ready to step into various roles at a moment's notice.

[16:57] Tommie Luyben: The rehearsal process is fascinating because it allows you to build character backstories without changing the outcome of the show.

[17:07] Tommie Luyben: Each character has their own history, and exploring that during rehearsals helps to deepen the performance.

[17:17] Tommie Luyben: I have a very unique theory about Electra that I think adds an interesting layer to her character.

[17:27] Tommie Luyben: The way the show is structured allows for a lot of creativity in how we interpret the characters.

[17:37] Tommie Luyben: CATS still resonates with audiences today because it taps into universal themes of love, loss, and belonging.

[17:47] Tommie Luyben: I think that's why it continues to have such a strong following, even after all these years.

[17:57] Tommie Luyben: Chrissie Cartwright, who I assisted on the Australian tour, has a wealth of knowledge about the show and offers great insights into the characters.

[18:07] Tommie Luyben: Her wisdom really helped shape my understanding of the material and how to approach my roles.

[18:17] Tommie Luyben: I love sharing my experiences and insights with fellow fans and performers.

[18:27] Tommie Luyben: It's always exciting to connect with others who share the same passion for CATS.

[18:37] Tommie Luyben: The community around the show is incredibly supportive, and it's great to see how it continues to grow.

[18:47] Tommie Luyben: I think that speaks to the timelessness of the story and the music.

[18:57] Tommie Luyben: There's something magical about the way the show brings people together.

[19:07] Tommie Luyben: Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to CATS, there's always something to discover and appreciate.

[19:17] Tommie Luyben: I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to be part of this incredible production.

[19:27] Tommie Luyben: It has shaped my career and my life in ways I never could have imagined.

[19:37] Tommie Luyben: I look forward to seeing where my journey with CATS takes me next.

[19:47] Tommie Luyben: It's a show that will always hold a special place in my heart.

[19:57] Tommie Luyben: And I can't wait to share more of my experiences with everyone.

[20:07] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for having me on the podcast today.

[20:17] Tommie Luyben: It's been a pleasure to talk about my journey with CATS and the impact it has had on my life.

[20:27] Tommie Luyben: I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and embrace the magic of theater.

[20:37] Tommie Luyben: CATS is more than just a show; it's a celebration of creativity and imagination.

[20:47] Tommie Luyben: I'm excited to see how the future of CATS unfolds and how it continues to touch the hearts of audiences around the world.

[20:57] Tommie Luyben: Thank you again for this opportunity to share my story.

[21:07] Tommie Luyben: I look forward to connecting with more fans and fellow performers in the future.

[21:17] Tommie Luyben: Let's keep the conversation going about this amazing show.

[21:27] Tommie Luyben: There's so much to explore and discuss when it comes to CATS.

[21:37] Tommie Luyben: I'm always here to share my insights and experiences.

[21:47] Tommie Luyben: Together, we can keep the spirit of CATS alive for generations to come.

[21:57] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the podcast.

[22:07] Tommie Luyben: It's been a joy to be part of this conversation.

[22:17] Tommie Luyben: Let's continue to celebrate the magic of CATS together.

[22:27] Tommie Luyben: Until next time, keep dreaming and believing in the power of theater.

[22:37] Tommie Luyben: Thank you!

[22:47] Tommie Luyben: I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences.

[22:57] Tommie Luyben: It's been a wonderful experience being on the podcast.

[23:07] Tommie Luyben: I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams in the world of theater.

[23:17] Tommie Luyben: CATS has taught me so much about creativity and collaboration.

[23:27] Tommie Luyben: I'm grateful for the chance to be part of such a legendary production.

[23:37] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for having me, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

[23:47] Tommie Luyben: Let's keep the love for CATS alive!

[23:57] Tommie Luyben: Until next time, take care!

[24:07] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for listening to my story.

[24:17] Tommie Luyben: I hope it resonates with you and inspires you in your own journey.

[24:27] Tommie Luyben: CATS is a show that brings joy and magic to so many lives.

[24:37] Tommie Luyben: I'm proud to be part of that legacy.

[24:47] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for this opportunity to share my passion for CATS.

[24:57] Tommie Luyben: I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next.

[25:07] Tommie Luyben: Let's keep the conversation going about this incredible show.

[25:17] Tommie Luyben: I'm always here to share my insights and experiences.

[25:27] Tommie Luyben: Together, we can keep the spirit of CATS alive for generations to come.

[25:37] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the podcast.

[25:47] Tommie Luyben: It's been a joy to be part of this conversation.

[25:57] Tommie Luyben: Let's continue to celebrate the magic of CATS together.

[26:07] Tommie Luyben: Until next time, keep dreaming and believing in the power of theater.

[26:17] Tommie Luyben: Thank you!

[26:27] Tommie Luyben: I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences.

[26:37] Tommie Luyben: It's been a wonderful experience being on the podcast.

[26:47] Tommie Luyben: I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams in the world of theater.

[26:57] Tommie Luyben: CATS has taught me so much about creativity and collaboration.

[27:07] Tommie Luyben: I'm grateful for the chance to be part of such a legendary production.

[27:17] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for having me, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

[27:27] Tommie Luyben: Let's keep the love for CATS alive!

[27:37] Tommie Luyben: Until next time, take care!

[27:47] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for listening to my story.

[27:57] Tommie Luyben: I hope it resonates with you and inspires you in your own journey.

[28:07] Tommie Luyben: CATS is a show that brings joy and magic to so many lives.

[28:17] Tommie Luyben: I'm proud to be part of that legacy.

[28:27] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for this opportunity to share my passion for CATS.

[28:37] Tommie Luyben: I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next.

[28:47] Tommie Luyben: Let's keep the conversation going about this incredible show.

[28:55] Tommie Luyben: I always think of CATS as a picture book. Like a children's picture book come to life.

[29:25] Tommie Luyben: My first obsession with CATS started when I was a kid. I remember listening to the soundtrack on repeat, and I would watch the VHS tape until it was worn out.

[29:55] Tommie Luyben: I was fascinated by the characters and the music, and I think that really shaped my love for musical theatre.

[30:25] Tommie Luyben: When I finally got the chance to perform in CATS, it felt like a dream come true.

[30:55] Tommie Luyben: Joining the Dutch tour in 2006 was a pivotal moment for me. I started as a swing, which meant I had to learn multiple roles.

[31:25] Tommie Luyben: It was challenging but also incredibly rewarding. I loved the variety and the opportunity to explore different characters.

[31:55] Tommie Luyben: Performing on the German tent tour as Mungojerrie was a unique experience.

[32:25] Tommie Luyben: The atmosphere of the tent added a different energy to the show, and I enjoyed bringing that character to life in a new language.

[32:55] Tommie Luyben: Learning to perform in German had its challenges, but it also opened up a new world for me.

[32:59] Tommie Luyben: I had to adapt my performance style to fit the cultural nuances of the audience.

[33:01] Tommie Luyben: It was interesting to see how the translation affected the character dynamics.

[33:15] Tommie Luyben: I remember one rehearsal where we really focused on building character backstories.

[33:17] Tommie Luyben: It was fascinating to explore the motivations behind each character without changing the overall outcome of the show.

[33:27] Tommie Luyben: We had some wild theories about the characters, especially Macavity.

[33:39] Tommie Luyben: I think the beauty of CATS is that it allows for so much interpretation.

[33:47] Tommie Luyben: Each performer brings their own perspective, and that keeps the show fresh and exciting.

[34:17] Tommie Luyben: Chrissie Cartwright, the director, has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about the show.

[34:47] Tommie Luyben: Working with her on the Australian tour was an incredible learning experience.

[35:17] Tommie Luyben: She has a way of guiding performers to find their own truth in the characters.

[35:47] Tommie Luyben: I think that's what makes CATS resonate with audiences even today.

[36:17] Tommie Luyben: The themes of identity and belonging are universal, and they really hit home.

[36:47] Tommie Luyben: It's a show that continues to evolve with each production, and I love being a part of that.

[37:17] Tommie Luyben: I always encourage new performers to dive deep into their characters and find what makes them unique.

[37:47] Tommie Luyben: That's where the magic happens, and that's what keeps the audience engaged.

[38:17] Tommie Luyben: I think CATS will always have a special place in my heart.

[38:47] Tommie Luyben: It's not just a show; it's a journey that connects people through music and storytelling.

[39:17] Tommie Luyben: I can't wait to see where the next chapter of CATS takes me.

[39:47] Tommie Luyben: Whether it's in a new production or a different role, I'm excited for the future.

[40:17] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for having me on the podcast.

[40:47] Tommie Luyben: It's been a pleasure sharing my experiences with you.

[41:17] Tommie Luyben: I hope listeners find inspiration in the stories of CATS and the magic of theatre.

[41:47] Tommie Luyben: Remember, every cat has a story, and every performance is a chance to tell it.

[42:02] Tommie Luyben: So, keep dreaming and keep performing.

[42:04] Tommie Luyben: Thank you!

[42:07] Tommie Luyben: Until next time!

[42:09] Tommie Luyben: Bye!

[42:11] Tommie Luyben: Take care!

[42:13] Tommie Luyben: See you soon!

[42:15] Tommie Luyben: Bye for now!

[42:17] Tommie Luyben: Cheers!

[42:47] Tommie Luyben: Thanks again!

[43:17] Tommie Luyben: I appreciate it!

[43:19] Tommie Luyben: Bye!

[43:21] Tommie Luyben: Bye!

[43:23] Tommie Luyben: I always think of CATS as a picture book. Like a children's picture book come to life.

[43:53] Tommie Luyben: My first obsession with CATS started when I was a kid. I remember listening to the soundtrack on repeat and watching the VHS until it was worn out.

[44:23] Tommie Luyben: Joining the Dutch tour in 2006 was a dream come true. I started as a swing, which was challenging but also incredibly rewarding.

[44:53] Tommie Luyben: Performing as Mungojerrie on the German tent tour was a unique experience. The atmosphere in the tent added a different layer to the performance.

[45:23] Tommie Luyben: One of the biggest challenges was performing in German. It required a different approach to the character and the way I delivered my lines.

[45:53] Tommie Luyben: I loved swinging for the Vienna revival. It kept me on my toes and allowed me to explore different roles within the show.

[46:23] Tommie Luyben: Working as an assistant director with Chrissie Cartwright on the Australian tour was enlightening. I learned so much about the creative process.

[46:53] Tommie Luyben: Building character lore in rehearsal rooms is fascinating. It adds depth to the characters without altering the overall story.

[47:23] Tommie Luyben: I have a wild theory about Electra that I think fans would find interesting.

[47:53] Tommie Luyben: Macavity is such a complex character. Diving deep into his motivations can really change how you perceive the story.

[48:23] Tommie Luyben: CATS still resonates with audiences because of its universal themes of love, loss, and belonging.

[48:53] Tommie Luyben: Chrissie always shares wisdom nuggets that stick with you long after rehearsal.

[49:23] Tommie Luyben: I think the magic of CATS lies in its ability to evoke emotions through movement and music.

[49:53] Tommie Luyben: The camaraderie among the cast is something special. We all support each other, and that creates a great environment.

[50:23] Tommie Luyben: I often reflect on how my journey with CATS has shaped me as a performer and as a person.

[50:53] Tommie Luyben: The fans are incredible. Their passion for the show is what keeps it alive.

[51:23] Tommie Luyben: I love connecting with fans on social media. It’s amazing to hear their stories and experiences with CATS.

[51:53] Tommie Luyben: The legacy of CATS is something I take seriously. It’s an honor to be part of it.

[52:23] Tommie Luyben: I’m excited for the future of CATS and how it will continue to evolve.

[52:53] Tommie Luyben: Each production brings something new to the table, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

[53:23] Tommie Luyben: The community around CATS is like no other. It’s a family that spans across the globe.

[53:53] Tommie Luyben: I always encourage new performers to embrace the challenges and joys of being in CATS.

[54:23] Tommie Luyben: It’s a unique experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else.

[54:53] Tommie Luyben: I hope to inspire others to find their own passion in the arts.

[55:23] Tommie Luyben: The journey is just as important as the destination in this industry.

[55:53] Tommie Luyben: I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had with CATS and look forward to many more.

[56:23] Tommie Luyben: Thank you for having me on the show. It’s been a pleasure sharing my experiences.

[56:25] Tommie Luyben: I hope listeners find inspiration in my journey and the world of CATS.

[56:27] Tommie Luyben: Remember to keep dreaming and pursuing your passions.

[56:29] MMorum:

[56:33] Tommie Luyben:

[56:35] Tommie Luyben:

[56:37] Tommie Luyben:

[56:39] Tommie Luyben:

[56:41] Tommie Luyben:

[56:43] Tommie Luyben:

[56:45] Tommie Luyben:

[56:47] Tommie Luyben:

[56:51] Tommie Luyben:

[56:53] Tommie Luyben:

[56:55] Tommie Luyben:

[56:57] Tommie Luyben:

[56:59] Tommie Luyben:

[57:01] Tommie Luyben:

[57:03] Tommie Luyben:

[57:05] Tommie Luyben:

[57:07] Tommie Luyben:

[57:09] Tommie Luyben:

[57:11] MM. Camille fram:

[57:13] MM. Camille fram:

[57:16] MM. Camille fram:

[57:18] MM. Camille fram:

[57:20] MM. Camille charm:

[57:22] MM. Camille charm:

[57:24] MM. Camille charm:

[57:26] MM. Camille charm:

[57:28] MM. Camille charm:

[57:30] MM. Camille charm:

[57:32] MM. Camille charm:

[57:34] MM. Camille charm:

[57:36] MM. Camille charm:

[57:38] MM. Camille charm:

[57:40] MM. Camille charm:

[57:42] MM. Camille charm:

[57:44] MM. Camille charm:

[57:46] MM. Camille charm:

[57:48] MM. Camille charm: