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: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of the cat's atrophy. I'm your host, Mike Abrams. And today we have two special guests. They were the Rum Tum Tugger and Bombalurina on the US National Tour 5. They are also married. So we will add a lot of fuel to the Bomby Tugger rumors here today. So welcome, Cara Cooley and Adam Steiner. And thank you for joining me.

[0:36] Cara Cooley: Thank you for having us.

[0:38] Adam Steiner: Thanks for having us.

[0:39] Mike Abrams: I'm excited to have both of you. I have done mostly one-on-one interviews. But when I heard that there are a Tugger and Bombalurina married couple that met on tour, I thought, you have to come together, right? You have to share the story. But let's start at the beginning. So I want to hear from both of you. I always love hearing about your history with Cats before going on tour. So like how familiar were you with the musical? Had you seen it before? Or was it the '98 movie? Like what was your familiarity?

[1:09] Cara Cooley: I had not seen it live. But I watched the movie a bunch with my sisters and we would like, I mean, I thought it was pretty cool. I didn't really know that much about it, though. Really. It just like the movie and like, I thought that Heaviside Lair was weird and stuff. But the dancing was sweet.

[1:27] Adam Steiner: That's spot on. Great dancing. No idea what's happening. Yeah, that sounds accurate.

[1:31] Cara Cooley: That was about the same.

[1:33] Adam Steiner: I mean, I didn't know much about it at all either. I mean, being that I predominantly wasn't a dancer. And actually, the only reason I went to the audition was because a couple friends were going and it was almost like they were signing me up as a joke. And I was like, I'll go. I don't, you know, I got nothing going on tomorrow. So...

[1:54] Cara Cooley: You got a haircut.

[1:55] Adam Steiner: Yeah, like one guy. It was just like a normal day. And I just like swung by. And then that was it.

[1:59] Mike Abrams: Wow. So you didn't have any expectation?

[2:02] Adam Steiner: Not really. I mean, I needed a job.

[2:04] Cara Cooley: Just hang with your friends.

[2:05] Adam Steiner: Yeah.

[2:06] Mike Abrams: Yeah. I love that. So you said, did you know? Did you know much about it at all? Or were I mean, how familiar with like, did you know the concept? Did you know Tugger? Or did you just go in because you need a haircut and they're going to drive?

[2:18] Adam Steiner: Yeah, it was pretty much that. I mean, I like again, I mean, I knew I was like, somebody who like knew Tugger was like the Elvis cat, which is just like not even real.

[2:26] Cara Cooley: Tell them your audition song.

[2:28] Adam Steiner: Oh, I sang "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy."

[2:34] Cara Cooley: That's his karaoke song too.

[2:36] Adam Steiner: Yeah. So I mean, it kind of was the perfect storm, though, really, because like, then I got the job, which is funny, because isn't that how it works? It's like something where you really went in with no expectation, almost not as a joke, but almost being like, you know, whatever, I got nothing to do today. And then, you know, two weeks later, you're on the show.

[2:53] Mike Abrams: That is fascinating. So you, I mean, it's kind of you obviously don't go unless you have at least some intent of like, yeah, I would do this if I got it. But you kind of do you think that that made your audition even better? Because you had just like no, you don't have pressure because you weren't even thinking about whether or not it's something you wanted?

[3:10] Adam Steiner: Yeah, I think, you know, and I think like the role, I mean, I'm like, you know, six foot one, 210 pound guy, like, so I kind of stuck out like a sore thumb already in that group in that audition. So I think like it was the perfect storm of it actually being a perfect job for me, but not realizing that before. Right. But I don't know, hoping.

[3:33] Cara Cooley: What about your audition? How was your experience? Did you actually go with intent? Or did you? Yeah, you signed up for it, right?

[3:42] Cara Cooley: So I, I was on the show first, I went to an open call, and they were casting like everything. Because Adam joined the tour later, and it was just for Tugger. So I went in, and I had like, gone to the audition before, did horrible, couldn't get the combo left. I learned the combo. So I had to memorize and I like show up. And I'm like, Oh, what's this dance? And I like really did a great job because I already knew it, but I pretended like I didn't. But I actually went to the singer call. That's what I think.

[4:12] Adam Steiner: I did the singer call. And then I did the dance. So I just did a great job.

[4:17] Cara Cooley: What did you say? Did you see something?

[4:19] Adam Steiner: He plays the violin from 1776.

[4:23] Cara Cooley: I just saw that recently here in New York.

[4:25] Adam Steiner: Did you? I heard good things. Yeah, it wasn't like I didn't do it like that sexually that girl. But I mean, I did a good job.

[4:35] Cara Cooley: Very unique. You need to have...

[4:38] Adam Steiner: I heard...

[4:40] Cara Cooley: ...still laughing from the other room.

[4:43] Mike Abrams: We should say that you two are sitting in separate rooms in the same house to help make the podcasting experience better, which I think is going to make this twice as fun as you hear each other's reactions to your own story.

[4:56] Cara Cooley: So I don't know. I don't like laughing.

[4:59] Mike Abrams: So I want to hear a little bit about I want to go into before we get into you two kind of like as a Bambi Tugger combination here. Tell me a little bit about I love thinking about backstory. So when you started the tour, what were you told about Tugger? What were you told about Bombalurina? It's like, tell me their story, their character. What did you have to add to that beyond what you were told?

[5:17] Cara Cooley: You want me to go first, babe?

[5:21] Adam Steiner: Yeah. Well, you know, I'll go in case the baby.

[5:24] Cara Cooley: OK, well, I heard that Bombalurina is the ultimate good time girl. She's the party girl. And then there's this whole thing like Demeter's like such a freak show. And she's, you know, so, you know, she's got some issues. And then I've kind of got it together a little bit more. So I take the leadership role. So she's like always under my wing and I'm a little bit more of a calming force. I've just seen more mature like she has some issues and I'm like kind of like it's cool, like we'll be OK. And then I also knew that Bombalurina and Tugger are like dating as much as cats could date. We're probably a couple. We're like flirty.

[6:09] Adam Steiner: That's like I mean, that's where you told that before. Like where you told you and Tugger were supposed to kind of have this energy and relationship or did that come at?

[6:24] Cara Cooley: Yeah, because I had another Tugger before him.

[6:27] Adam Steiner: OK, so that was because that's where.

[6:29] Cara Cooley: Yeah, it's so interesting. I just find it really interesting because of the Tugger character has. It's it's like he's up for anything and anybody. And that's why there's a lot of Tugger Mistoffelees like fan fiction and all that stuff out there. But the Tugger Bombalurina, of course, is obviously a piece, too. So it's interesting to hear that that was told to you as like that the two of them are dating versus are they just kind of like flirtatious? And they're both kind of just doing their own thing with any and everybody.

[6:57] Cara Cooley: I could have made up that they were dating.

[6:58] Adam Steiner: It kind of did.

[7:01] Cara Cooley: It's like when Adam joined the tour, they got a little bit more of a backstory.

[7:06] Mike Abrams: So what did you say when you started dating and they started dating a little bit more on stage too? Is that what you're saying?

[7:10] Cara Cooley: Yeah. Yeah. We just put our own little special sauce.

[7:16] Mike Abrams: Adam, what about you?

[7:18] Adam Steiner: So, I mean, my initial part of this is different because I did join as a replacement. So like I wasn't told anything. It was just like, move here, go here, do this, like just to get me in the show. So then over time, like the weird thing about Cats, I think, and especially being that it's been going on for so long, there's almost like a, I don't know the right word, like bipolar version of all these characters because there's been so many changes. So I would say like the director would come in and say like, hey, you know, you're like a good time guy. You're just kicking the shit, having fun. And then like a month later, he come in and be like, I don't know what you're doing. You got to be darker.

You got to be more sexual. And it was like insane because you're like, bro, you just said that I was doing it wrong. So I changed it and now I'm doing it the way you want it. So like, you know, I mean, so for me, like the experience of doing it for so long became, you know, I mean, it changed a lot. But I'd say like the through line was like he was like a little bit older than the other cats and kind of been through a lot and just kind of like down, you know, down to have a good time and just kind of have fun throughout the journey with no expectations of like the ending and Grizabella and all that stuff. He just was, you know, he just there to have fun.

[8:41] Cara Cooley: Yeah, he's here. DT, DTJ down to Jellicle.

[8:47] Adam Steiner: The DTJ.

[8:50] Mike Abrams: So it's so interesting you say that, because I've heard from so many. I've been trying to figure out the Cats family tree and there is no answer to it. And it's because someone finally just goes, it's because they're cats. Like they all are all together. They're all that's like there's no way to answer. But what I've noticed is that over time, you do see relationships form based off of staging and dance numbers and some stuff that's like very clearly put in the show. And then there's others like your situation where your relationships with cast mates starts, like if you're really good friends, that could be your cats maybe aren't supposed to be good friends. And that's where it's like, well, now it's a little strange because you you have good energy together, but your cats aren't supposed to.

And so that that is where I'm like, I'm kind of fascinated by. Do you believe like are you a big part of why the Bombalurina Tugger combination like do you think you added fuel to that fire because of your relationship?

[9:42] Cara Cooley: Well, I don't know, like like so there's like the choreographed stuff and like there's lots of like Bomb Tugger, like cute, sexy dances together and like moments. But then like it'd be like doing Misto at the end. And they like, Carrie, you can't like lay on top of Adam and be like chitchatting, you know, like so I don't know if it was good or bad.

[10:00] Adam Steiner: Yeah, it's a good point. There's some stuff that you can't go around and there's other stuff that you can, especially with the Tugger with Adam for you. Like you get a little bit more freedom, I think, than most people. Right. Like your character is supposed to kind of break the rules.

[10:09] Cara Cooley: Yeah. Yeah. And I think I like a lot what you said. I think that's super spot on is and maybe that's why Cats is interesting in the way that is. And it's kept going for so long, so long is that because of the relationships built off the stage with all these cast members, like it really does probably change the show a lot.

[10:36] Mike Abrams: And I think that's actually really cool because they do say like piggybacking on that. One of the things about Cats that I remember is them saying that it's more fun to do Cats and to be in Cats than it is to see Cats.

[10:48] Adam Steiner: Yeah. And that's not a lot.

[10:50] Mike Abrams: It's so much about the relationships. I mean, it really is so much about the relationships on stage and the moments that you have with your friends that are also your cast mates. And because of the way that shows written, you're really allowed to get away with a lot, you know, as far as BS and stuff on stage. So I think I think that's that's a cool observation.

[11:12] Cara Cooley: Yeah, I've definitely heard that in the sense that it's a lot of fun to do and it's just so unique. And I think, too, as you're doing it, you get exposed to all the stuff that...

[11:33] Adam Steiner: So, we were on the US National Tour 5 of CATS, and I played Rum Tum Tugger.

[11:43] Cara Cooley: And I played Bombalurina.

[11:53] Adam Steiner: It was such an incredible experience, especially because we started dating during the show.

[12:03] Cara Cooley: Yeah, it really changed the dynamic of the show for us.

[12:13] Adam Steiner: Absolutely. I mean, because of all of the relationships offstage with the cast members, it really does change the show a lot.

[12:23] Cara Cooley: And we had eight days off in Vegas, which really solidified our relationship.

[12:33] Adam Steiner: Those days were amazing. We got to explore the city together and really connect.

[12:43] Cara Cooley: It was during that time that I think we both realized how much we cared for each other.

[12:53] Adam Steiner: Yeah, it was a pivotal moment for us. We had so much fun, and it felt like we were really in our own little world.

[13:03] Cara Cooley: And then, of course, we had all those moments on stage that just felt even more special because of our relationship.

[13:13] Adam Steiner: Right! I mean, performing together added a whole new layer to our characters.

[13:23] Cara Cooley: Definitely. It was like we were sharing this secret that made everything more exciting.

[13:33] Adam Steiner: And I remember my audition for the show. I went in with no expectations at all.

[13:43] Cara Cooley: What was your audition song again?

[13:53] Adam Steiner: I sang "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats." It was a bit of a risk, but I thought, why not?

[14:03] Cara Cooley: That's so fitting for you as Rum Tum Tugger!

[14:13] Adam Steiner: I guess it worked out in the end!

[14:23] Cara Cooley: For sure! And then we got to share the stage together every night.

[14:33] Adam Steiner: It was a dream come true. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in that experience.

[14:43] Cara Cooley: Same here! It made the tour unforgettable.

[14:53] Adam Steiner: And now, looking back, I can’t believe how much we grew both as performers and as a couple.

[15:03] Cara Cooley: It’s amazing how theater can bring people together like that.

[15:13] Adam Steiner: Absolutely. The connections we made with the cast and crew were just as important as the performances.

[15:23] Cara Cooley: And those friendships have lasted beyond the tour.

[15:33] Adam Steiner: Yes! We still keep in touch with many of them.

[15:43] Cara Cooley: It’s like we’re all part of this big family now.

[15:53] Adam Steiner: Exactly! And I think that sense of community really enhances the experience for everyone involved.

[16:03] Cara Cooley: It does! And it’s something I’ll always cherish from our time on tour.

[16:13] Adam Steiner: Same here. It’s a unique bond that not everyone gets to experience.

[16:23] Cara Cooley: And I’m so glad we got to share it together.

[16:33] Adam Steiner: Me too! Here’s to many more adventures, both on and off the stage.

[16:43] Cara Cooley: Cheers to that!

[23:06] Adam Steiner: So, we were on tour, and I think it was in the middle of the tour when we started dating.

[23:16] Cara Cooley: Yeah, it was during the show.

[23:26] Adam Steiner: We had a lot of time together, especially during our eight days off in Vegas, which really solidified our relationship.

[23:36] Cara Cooley: Absolutely! Those days were so special for us.

[23:46] Adam Steiner: I remember the first time we really connected was during a rehearsal.

[23:56] Cara Cooley: Right! We were just having fun, and it turned into something more.

[24:06] Adam Steiner: It was like we were in our own little world, even with the rest of the cast around us.

[24:16] Cara Cooley: And the chemistry on stage just made it even better.

[24:26] Adam Steiner: I think the relationships offstage really changed the dynamic of the show for us.

[24:36] Cara Cooley: Definitely! It added a layer of authenticity to our performances.

[24:46] Adam Steiner: Plus, we were able to support each other through the ups and downs of touring.

[24:56] Cara Cooley: It was a unique experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[25:06] Adam Steiner: And then there was the audition process. I went in with no expectations.

[25:16] Cara Cooley: What was your audition song again?

[25:26] Adam Steiner: Oh, it was hilarious! I chose something completely unexpected.

[25:36] Cara Cooley: I love that! It shows how authentic you are.

[25:46] Adam Steiner: I just wanted to have fun with it, and it worked out!

[25:56] Cara Cooley: That's the best approach, honestly.

[26:06] Adam Steiner: And now, here we are, married and still performing together.

[26:16] Cara Cooley: It's a dream come true!

[26:26] Adam Steiner: I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else.

[26:36] Cara Cooley: Same here!

[26:46] Adam Steiner: The tour brought us together in ways we never expected.

[26:56] Cara Cooley: And it's amazing to look back on those memories.

[27:06] Adam Steiner: Every city we visited had its own charm, but Vegas was definitely a highlight.

[27:16] Cara Cooley: For sure! Those eight days were filled with adventure.

[27:26] Adam Steiner: We explored so much and made incredible memories.

[27:36] Cara Cooley: And we got to share that experience with our castmates too.

[27:46] Adam Steiner: It was like one big family on the road.

[27:56] Cara Cooley: Exactly!

[28:06] Adam Steiner: I think that camaraderie really showed in our performances.

[28:16] Cara Cooley: It made everything feel more connected.

[28:26] Adam Steiner: And the audience could feel that energy as well.

[28:36] Cara Cooley: Absolutely!

[28:46] Adam Steiner: I think that's what made our run so special.

[28:56] Cara Cooley: It was a unique blend of talent and friendship.

[29:06] Adam Steiner: And now, we get to carry that into our future together.

[29:16] Cara Cooley: I can't wait to see where it takes us!

[29:26] Adam Steiner: Me too!

[29:36] Cara Cooley: It's going to be an exciting journey.

[29:46] Adam Steiner: And I'm glad we get to share it with each other.

[29:56] Cara Cooley: Forever and always!

[30:06] Adam Steiner: That's right!

[30:16] Cara Cooley: Here's to many more adventures together.

[30:26] Adam Steiner: Cheers to that!

[30:36] Cara Cooley: And to all the memories yet to come.

[30:46] Adam Steiner: We’re just getting started!

[30:56] Cara Cooley: Yes, we are!

[31:06] Adam Steiner: Thank you for having us on the show.

[31:16] Cara Cooley: It’s been a pleasure sharing our story.

[31:26] Adam Steiner: We hope everyone enjoys the journey as much as we have.

[31:36] Cara Cooley: Absolutely!

[31:46] Adam Steiner: And remember, always follow your passion.

[31:56] Cara Cooley: Yes!

[32:06] Adam Steiner: Until next time!

[32:16] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[32:26] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[32:36] Cara Cooley: Take care!

[32:46] Adam Steiner: See you soon!

[32:56] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[33:06] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[33:16] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[33:26] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[33:36] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[33:46] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[33:56] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[34:06] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[34:16] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[34:26] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[34:39] Adam Steiner: You know, I think that the relationships offstage really do change the show a lot.

[35:09] Cara Cooley: Absolutely. I mean, we were all so close.

[35:19] Adam Steiner: Yeah, and I think that really translates to the audience as well.

[35:29] Cara Cooley: For sure. When you're having fun and you're enjoying each other's company, it shows in the performance.

[35:39] Adam Steiner: And I think that was especially true for us during our time in Vegas.

[35:49] Cara Cooley: Definitely! Those eight days off really solidified our relationship.

[35:59] Adam Steiner: Yeah, we had a blast exploring the city together.

[36:09] Cara Cooley: It was such a great time to bond outside of the show.

[36:19] Adam Steiner: And I remember the first time we really clicked was during a rehearsal.

[36:29] Cara Cooley: Right! I think it was during one of the dance numbers.

[36:39] Adam Steiner: Yeah, I was just trying to keep up with you!

[36:49] Cara Cooley: You did great!

[36:59] Adam Steiner: Thanks! But it was really those moments that brought us closer.

[37:09] Cara Cooley: I agree. And then we started hanging out more outside of rehearsals.

[37:19] Adam Steiner: Yeah, and I think that made a huge difference in our chemistry on stage.

[37:29] Cara Cooley: For sure!

[37:39] Adam Steiner: And then, of course, there was the audition process.

[37:49] Cara Cooley: Oh my gosh, yes!

[37:59] Adam Steiner: I went in with no expectations at all.

[38:09] Cara Cooley: And you still got the role!

[38:19] Adam Steiner: I know! It was such a surprise.

[38:29] Cara Cooley: But it just goes to show that when you're relaxed and just being yourself, it really works out.

[38:39] Adam Steiner: Exactly!

[38:49] Cara Cooley: And I think that was a big part of our journey together.

[38:59] Adam Steiner: For sure.

[39:09] Cara Cooley: And now look at us!

[39:19] Adam Steiner: Married and still performing together.

[39:29] Cara Cooley: It's a dream come true!

[39:39] Adam Steiner: It really is.

[39:49] Cara Cooley: I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else.

[39:59] Adam Steiner: Same here!

[40:09] Cara Cooley: It's just so special.

[40:19] Adam Steiner: And I think that connection really enhances our performances.

[40:29] Cara Cooley: Absolutely!

[40:39] Adam Steiner: The audience can feel that energy.

[40:49] Cara Cooley: For sure.

[40:59] Adam Steiner: And it makes the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.

[41:09] Cara Cooley: Definitely!

[41:19] Adam Steiner: I think that's what makes this tour so memorable for us.

[41:29] Cara Cooley: Agreed!

[41:39] Adam Steiner: And I can't wait to see where it takes us next.

[41:49] Cara Cooley: Me too!

[41:59] Adam Steiner: It's going to be an adventure.

[42:09] Cara Cooley: And I'm so glad we get to share it together.

[42:19] Adam Steiner: Same here!

[42:29] Cara Cooley: Here's to many more amazing moments on this journey.

[42:39] Adam Steiner: Cheers to that!

[42:49] Cara Cooley: And to all the fans who support us along the way.

[42:59] Adam Steiner: Absolutely!

[43:09] Cara Cooley: We couldn't do it without them.

[43:19] Adam Steiner: They really make it all worthwhile.

[43:29] Cara Cooley: For sure!

[43:39] Adam Steiner: And we hope to continue bringing joy to everyone who comes to see the show.

[43:49] Cara Cooley: Yes!

[43:59] Adam Steiner: It's such a privilege to perform.

[44:09] Cara Cooley: And we love every minute of it.

[44:19] Adam Steiner: Couldn't have said it better myself.

[44:29] Cara Cooley: Here's to more adventures ahead!

[44:39] Adam Steiner: Absolutely!

[44:49] Cara Cooley: Thank you for having us on the show!

[44:59] Adam Steiner: Yes, thank you!

[45:09] Cara Cooley: It's been a pleasure sharing our story.

[45:19] Adam Steiner: And we hope everyone enjoys the show!

[45:29] Cara Cooley: See you at the theater!

[45:39] Adam Steiner: Bye!

[45:49] Cara Cooley: Bye!

[45:59] Adam Steiner: Take care!

[46:09] Cara Cooley: Bye!