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[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 to break down the cat's atrophy. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and this episode is powered by welcome to timesquare.com, the billboard where you can be the star for a day. I am very excited about today's guest. You might have seen her as Cinderella in Bad Cinderella, or currently as Myrtle in The Great Gatsby. Or you hopefully are listening to her podcast, Entre Acts, which is part of the Broadway Podcast Network. She's worked closely with Andrew Lloyd Webber. So I'm excited to talk about everything, Andrew, today. So welcome, Linedy Genao. Thank you for joining me.

[0:45] Linedy Genao: Thank you so much for having me. I love the catastrophe. It made me laugh.

[0:50] Mike Abrams: That's the, you know, that's the theme is that I, when I saw the show the first time, I did not know what I saw. And I know you have had similar experiences. So let's actually start there. Let's start Cats and then we'll get into all the other things that you've done. I know you haven't seen the show a ton, but you've seen it a few times and you've seen the new Joel Cabal, right?

[1:05] Linedy Genao: Yes. So I first saw it, the last Broadway revival. When was that? 2016.

[1:13] Mike Abrams: 2016. Yeah. So I was in On Your Feet during that time. One of our cast members, Ariana Rosario, left On Your Feet to go do Cats. I don't remember the name of the cat she played, but she sang the really high C at the end, the young cat.

[1:25] Linedy Genao: Okay. So probably Cassandra? I think so. Actually. Yeah. Yeah. So we went to go support her. And when I watched Cats, I didn't know anything about it other than the song Memory, because obviously who doesn't know Memory? And I was like, wow, this was amazing. The dancing, the singing. I don't know what I just watched. I don't know what this was about. It was just about a bunch of cats. And I didn't understand what I just watched. But it was amazing. I was like, wow. And then when I saw the Joel Cabal downtown, I was like, wow, I actually understand what Cats is about. Holy smokes.

[2:07] Linedy Genao: Yeah. And obviously it was completely, completely different production. And I was like, wow, I actually understand what Cats is, because Lord have mercy, before I did it, I was just like, this is amazing. But what did I just watch?

[2:14] Mike Abrams: Yeah. That's the catastrophe. That's the part. Because I had the same reaction. I saw that same production. I saw the last, second to last preview. And I knew nothing about it. I knew Memory and literally nothing else. And I walked out just mesmerized and confused. And then I kind of dug in. And that's where this whole thing kind of started. Did you see the 2019 movie in between?

[2:36] Linedy Genao: I didn't. No. I know. I've heard. I don't like ever saying that something is bad. You'll never find me saying that something is bad. I'll just be like, oh, no, it was really good. And then people will see in my face. I just I feel bad, you know, like art, you know, people liked it, people did it, whatever. But I should see it because I've heard a lot of things. There are I have notes. My thing is, I like that because I'm the same way. I just say that wasn't for me. Like it might be for somebody else. But I actually had pieces of that movie that was for me. So that's okay. I think there are moments there. But okay, I'm glad that you just skipped it.

[3:10] Linedy Genao: Yeah. And watching that 2016 production. What I did love the most about it was number one, obviously watching cats finally. Yeah. But also, it was kind of a blast to the past with all that 80s. The organ sound, you know what I'm talking about? I don't know. I was just like, wow, I feel like I'm in the 80s right now. Or this is the music that, you know, kind of like Stranger Things like all of you know what I'm talking about that organ sound definitely. So that was kind of iconic. I was like, Oh, wow, I feel like I've been transported to a certain time in history. I had just moved here. So I had only seen more modern things. And that was actually what sparked this is I kind of asked a friend who worked in Broadway being like, What do I need to go see?

Like, I now live here, I can go on a Tuesday. What are those shows? And that was like, cats is being revived. Let's go. And I ended up there. I think it was the first or second thing I saw since moving here. So it was a very transformative time from Indiana. Cool. So I saw plenty of things on the tours, but not you know, like, that's the Lion King. And like, those are big touring. Lion King. I know. Hot take. I'm sorry. I actually, I did have tickets for my sisters. I still haven't gone. But when I was in On Your Feet across the street, my family was coming into town. And I was like, let me get you tickets for Lion King. I believe it was the woman's march going on. And so my dad was stuck in traffic for about three hours.

And didn't make it to the theater in time. And then I forgot to call that phone number where you could get your tickets exchanged or whatever. So those tickets got lost. Somebody probably enjoyed their extra space that day as they should.

[4:44] Mike Abrams: I, I, this is a, you know, you didn't see it. I when it toured. I saw it after I'll give the explanation because I fell asleep. Not because it wasn't great. And not because Lion King isn't like visually stunning. It's because it came after a full weekend of our state hockey tournament. And I had played six games in two days. And then we went to the show that night. And I was like, I basically when we walked in, like, I'm not gonna make it like it doesn't matter what's in front of me. That was me with a chorus line. So only because I was tired and too. So the only times I ever saw Broadway shows growing up were because of my high school field trips. So I lived in Connecticut at the time to get to a matinee where about six in the morning, you know, breakfast, whatever, getting on the bus at whatever time. So by the time you're sitting down at two o'clock for the matinee, you are dead. So by the time we got to the first valid, I was out. But then I woke up and I loved it.

[5:41] Linedy Genao: I've never seen it. Another one I've never seen. I only saw it because again, my high school trip. Okay. So you, what'd you think about the 2016 production? Like, besides supporting a friend, like, did you have any idea what you were watching?

[5:51] Linedy Genao: I literally didn't. I was just mesmerized by the dancing. I knew it was a very athletic and dance heavy show. So I think that was one of my first ever dance dance heavy shows like that. And it was incredible to watch these artists tell the story and bring to life this, again, something I didn't understand because I didn't understand what I was watching, but expressing it with their body. And it was absolutely incredible. And also seeing the different makeup, learning from Ariana that they have to do their own makeup. That was really, really cool. So just seeing that from up front, I had a really good seat. Yeah, I just, I didn't know what to expect, but I was there supporting friends. I had another friend in the show, Tyler. So just watching it and cheering them on and just being wide eyed and literally brand new to this world of cats.

[6:42] Mike Abrams: Was it Tyler Haynes?

[6:43] Linedy Genao: Yes.

[6:44] Mike Abrams: Yeah. So he's, he's right in your face pretty quickly in that show. Did anybody come and like scare you in the beginning?

[6:49] Linedy Genao: No, thank God. No, but I was scared. Just, I'm not a cat person. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I wasn't raised with cats. I don't know. So I'm scared. And so seeing like human cats, kind of scary. A lot. That's a lot. And then you went to the pack. How much did you know about that production before you went to see the downtown one?

[7:06] Linedy Genao: Just from what I saw on social media, and I was living, I was like, I can't wait to see this. This is so cool. The only knowledge I had about the ballroom culture was a friend that I did in the Heights with at One Theater Center. Oh my gosh, his name is slipping my mind right now. Used to do balls and invited us to one while we were in the DC area. And I was like, oh my gosh, what is this? This is so cool. It's so freeing. I don't know. It was just incredible. And so to know that it was being fused with Broadway and with Andrew Lloyd Webber on top of that, I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I need to see this.

[7:45] Mike Abrams: Yeah. I do think like, and this can be part of our transition to Bad Cinderella, but it seemed like that kind of Cinderella in London, Bad Cinderella on Broadway led into Sunset and Cats and Evita and all these kind of like full reimaginings of shows that he's done. So being a huge part of Bad Cinderella, Cinderella and you know, what was that like working with him kind of in this period where you're not in the 80s where he's kind of running these, but he's kind of rethinking all these things and you're getting to have a front row seat of that.

[8:19] Linedy Genao: It was, I mean, I wouldn't change that experience for the world. It was absolutely incredible. The whole time in my head, I'm like, you're so cool. Like I used to call him Mr. A. You're so cool. Like, obviously we know him for all of his iconic work and traditional work, you know, Phantom and again, Cats and Evita, Sunset, but Bad Cinderella was young and hip and something completely unexpected, at least for me from him. And so I'm just really grateful to have been a part of that, to have collaborated, especially on his one original song for Bad Cinderella. He used to ask me, how do you feel about this? I'm like, why are you asking me? How do I feel about this? Mr. Andrew, sir, Lord, whatever, whoever, like what? So to even have him want to hear my opinion or just to feel respected and appreciated in that way was more than I could ever ask for.

[9:16] Mike Abrams: Yeah. I was really fortunate. I interviewed Robin before, so I got to come see the show and like chat through it. Cause I was a huge, I mean, I was a huge fan of that show. I thought it was so fun. I thought it was very campy and very entertaining. And I like always walked out happier than I walked in, which is something I actually really look for in theater. And so again, I'm kind of curious about like that whole experience. Cause it was, it was such a show that had a very polarizing effect. Like there was a group of people, myself included, that were like loved it. And there were a lot of people that didn't enjoy it as much. And like you said, you're not a fan of saying that, like it's either for you or not for you, but there was a lot that came with that.

So what was that experience like for you? That obviously the good was, you know, incredible. And I tried to not let the bad of it all ha ha ha bad, no, um, kind of, uh, flood that or, or, or just, uh, take away from that. But of course it was hard because I always say the one thing I would never take that experience. I never took it for granted. And I would do it all over again. The one thing that I would do differently is not look at my phone so much, but it was hard because people would literally tag me. Yeah. So and saying vile, disgusting things. And it was really, um, I've had a few people reach out and apologize, which means a lot. Um, but I think our show was also the launch of this, like TikTok social media, hateful. I walked out of intermission, ha ha ha, don't go see the show kind of thing.

[11:23] Linedy Genao: Launching me into this next chapter of my career, you know, it was a lot to handle. So that first day definitely was a very big taste of what was to come. Mm-hmm. It's a good reminder. I mean, I think people are listening to this or not the people that are sending those comments. Maybe a few, but for the most part it's like it's faceless trolling that's happening and the reminder that's like as a real person on the other side of that receiving it. And I guess there's a level of celebrity and people that can ignore it and are capable of just tuning it all out. But like the majority of people can't because like it's very real. So yeah, and again, it's the you can say like again everyone's entitled to their opinion, but you will never catch me tagging somebody saying some disgusting vile stuff.

Like I'm just not that person and it just takes so much to do that. But um, you know, I've been vocal about this on my podcast about how I was afraid for the first time in my life. I started thinking will I ever work again? And I know that that's something that a lot of actors experience.

[18:00] Linedy Genao: After "Madison" around closed, that was when I finally experienced that. Not because I have reached an apex of my career, it was more will this follow me forever? Will all this negativity and people just waiting for when I announced the next thing jump on me with like, you know, again all those vile comments? I was really afraid of that and I was like, I don't know if I'll ever work again because of this because people are gonna drag me through the mud about the most ridiculous things, you know? Like there have been shows that have lasted less than "Bad Cinderella" and they were incredible, you know what I mean? So it's like for some reason our show was like the one to just, you know, drag through the mud.

But I'm so, so grateful that right now as Myrtle Wilson in "The Great Gatsby," I feel so redeemed. Not for anyone else but for myself. Like I feel so good in this role. I am challenged every day. I'm doing some of the best singing and acting I've done in my career, I can proudly say.

[19:03] Linedy Genao: And I think it's because this was my first time stepping into a role which also I was nervous. You know, people have their preconceived notions about roles and you know people that originated them and I was bringing a whole different take. But I'm so proud of the work that I'm doing. I think it's because I'm not Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby." I'm not opening that show. Our eyes aren't on me. I'm not being reviewed. I'm not, you know, again, it's I'm just stepping into the role doing my own thing, surrendering. There's no pressure and that has helped me blossom and grow so much personally, professionally, artistically, and I'm really, really, really grateful to be doing this after "Bad Cinderella."

[19:45] Linedy Genao: Yeah, there is a piece of like "Cinderella" and "Gatsby" and "Gatsby" like being that thing. And I actually think that's kind of some of the beauty of "Cats" is that there isn't one. Like I know there's memory in Grizabella, but like the show needs all of them. Yeah, there's a very ensemble-led kind of piece to that. I want to come back to "Gatsby." I do have one more question though about "Bad Cinderella" because this was the moment in "Bad Cinderella," the first time I saw it where, you know, at this point I've been doing enough with "Cats" where I knew a lot of Andrew Lloyd Webber's at least some of his work. And as someone who like does not know theater that well, knows more since I've started the show, I didn't know his whole, all of the stuff he's worked on.

[20:15] Linedy Genao: I didn't know everything he does and that was the first time where I remember when I heard "Man's Man," I mean, and then I was like I had learned all about Victoria's lift being her coming-of-age story. I was like this guy writes a few songs that are a little, I'll use the word of horny. I smell and I'm now catching on. I'm sure if you listen to this episode and you're like, here are all the other ones because there's definitely a couple in "Starlight Express." I've heard now where I'm like, I don't even know that musical but I might have to listen now, see that one time and I'm like, I think those two trains are supposed to be doing it, you know?

[20:55] Linedy Genao: Yeah. Yeah, so that song is about the mom singing about the Sun. Oh Lord. And everybody's shirtless. You're not on that, you're not on during this, right? Listen, I was in my dressing room getting ready to sing my face off for the next song. So if that, if that's what "Man's Man" was about.

[21:14] Linedy Genao: Is that not what it's about? No, I don't know. I just I don't even remember. It's been three years. Can you believe that? Wow, but I don't doubt it. I think so. It definitely feels that way. It's a clean. We need your help. If you like, so I again love the show. I know there's a group of people that love the show. Tell me that that's not what that song is about if there's more to it, if I'm missing something. But I don't remember the lyrics. Oh, you should listen to them. We'll play them after here. Okay, we'll put after we finish because.

[21:46] Linedy Genao: I think the first time I saw CATS was when I was in On Your Feet, and I remember being really confused by it. I loved the dancing and the music, but I didn't quite understand the story. It wasn't until I saw the downtown Jellicle Ball that I finally got it.

[22:16] Linedy Genao: The revival had such a unique vibe. The energy in the theater was palpable, and I felt like I was transported back in time. That organ sound was iconic.

[22:46] Linedy Genao: My Broadway journey started in high school. I was always involved in theater, and I knew I wanted to pursue it professionally. I went to college for musical theater, and after that, I just started auditioning and getting roles.

[23:12] Linedy Genao: Working with Andrew Lloyd Webber was surreal. He has such a legacy, and to collaborate with him on Bad Cinderella was a dream come true.

[23:42] Linedy Genao: The experience of leading Bad Cinderella was intense. There was a lot of pressure, but also a lot of excitement. I remember the viral spray-paint moment; it was such a unique way to express the character's journey.

[24:08] Linedy Genao: Now, playing Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby is a different challenge. I want to make her sympathetic, even though she has her flaws.

[24:36] Linedy Genao: There's a double standard in how characters are judged, especially female characters. I think it's important to explore their complexities and give them depth.

[25:04] Linedy Genao: My podcast, Entre Acts, focuses on those in-between moments for artists. It's about the journey, not just the destination.

[25:34] Linedy Genao: I want to highlight the stories that often go untold in the theater community. Everyone has a unique path, and I think it's important to share those experiences.

[26:04] Linedy Genao: I love connecting with other artists and hearing their stories. It's inspiring to see how everyone navigates their careers.

[26:32] Linedy Genao: The feedback from listeners has been incredible. It's nice to know that people resonate with the stories we share.

[27:00] Linedy Genao: I think the podcast has also helped me grow as an artist. Hearing different perspectives has opened my eyes to new possibilities.

[27:30] Linedy Genao: I hope to continue exploring more topics in the podcast, like mental health and the challenges artists face.

[27:56] Linedy Genao: It's important to have these conversations, especially in a competitive industry like theater.

[28:26] Linedy Genao: I want to create a space where artists feel safe to share their struggles and triumphs.

[28:56] Linedy Genao: The theater community is so supportive, and I think we can all learn from each other.

[29:26] Linedy Genao: I'm excited for what's next, both in my career and with the podcast.

[29:56] Linedy Genao: I believe that every artist has a story worth telling, and I want to continue amplifying those voices.

[30:26] Linedy Genao: Thank you for having me on the show. It's been a pleasure to share my journey and talk about the things I'm passionate about.

[30:56] Linedy Genao: I hope everyone checks out The Great Gatsby and my podcast, Entre Acts.

[31:26] Linedy Genao: You can find me on social media @linedygenao, and I’d love to connect with everyone.

[31:42] Linedy Genao: Thank you again for this opportunity to share my story.

[32:08] Linedy Genao: I look forward to seeing you all at the theater!