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[0:15] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of Cat Sastrophe. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have another amazing guest. We are working with the Perelman Performing Arts Center reimagined production of CATS called CATS: The Jellicle Ball to bring you a series of episodes during their run. I'm honored to have Shereen Pimentel here today because I was very curious how Jellylorum would work in the ballroom setting, and I loved how it happens in this one. So I can't wait to hear her experience. So welcome, Shereen. Thank you for joining me.

[0:45] Shereen Pimentel: Of course. Thanks for having me.

[0:45] Mike Abrams: I like having Jellylorums because usually Jellylorums are anti-Grizabella because your plot is centered around Gus, which is the most common choice. But before we start there, you are a theater person in The Lion King and been a lot of different things. I know you did Into the Woods at the City Center, and you've been a Broadway person. So what's your CATS knowledge coming into this particular production?

[1:08] Shereen Pimentel: What's funny is I really didn't have much CATS knowledge.

[1:14] Mike Abrams: None?

[1:14] Shereen Pimentel: None. I remember when the revival was happening and I just got to college and someone in the dance department was in the CATS revival, but I never got to see it. And I had never listened to the recording. I had heard "Memory" a bunch, but that's really it. Um, I'd never watched the movie because the CGI was a little, um, interesting.

[1:44] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Okay. So that, we'll say that, that movie, you never watched the 2000. Did you ever watch the 1998 movie?

[1:49] Shereen Pimentel: No, no, never had the VHS, nothing. So truly I walked into this project blind. Um, but then I got cast and started listening to the recording and I was like, oh, wait, these songs are quite great. Um, I don't understand what this is about, but like, these songs are fantastic. So now I'm interested to see what we're about to do.

[2:15] Mike Abrams: Yeah. So you kind of came in, I mean, fresh perspective and treated it like everything else that you maybe don't know as much about and can go in and try to create from scratch. So I love hearing that. What did you, when you learned about like Jellylorum, what was that beginning like? Like how much were you told? How much did you start creating? What did you do to prep for her character?

[2:36] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. Um, I think my main focus was what the relationship is between Jellylorum and Gus, obviously. Um, just 'cause you know, that's, that's who she sings about. She ends up not even really offering herself up to go to the Heaviside Layer. She says, I think that Gus should go. Um, and here's all the reasons why. And so I wanted to understand, like, who are these two people to each other? Why does she take care of this person? Um, and also I found that the way that the lyrics are written, like, they're quite sassy. Like they really are just on the page. And I loved the idea that, um, we landed on Jellylorum being, sorry for everyone's spoiler alert, Jellylorum being Gus's granddaughter. But, um, I loved the idea that like, they were super close in some way.

And then we ended up with family. Um, just because it felt, it feels like a song where they're so close that she gets to say things that you wouldn't usually be able to say if you're just like a caretaker or something. Like, you have to be like, a caretaker was a best friend, uh, a granddaughter as something to have that kind of like, a relationship, which was something that I brought up in the audition. I remember doing the song and they were like, well, there are these sweet moments and like, she's really sweet. And I was like, yeah, I just have a question. Does she not like, try to push his buttons a little bit? And they were like, oh yeah, that does make sense. And I was like, yeah, listen, read those lyrics on that page.

That thing looked a little bit sassy. Um, so that's where I was first approaching it from was just kind of figuring out what that relationship was and then figuring out what her relationship is to everybody else in the space.

[4:35] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Okay. I want to come back to that because I'm always fascinated by that, but the granddaughter is interesting because it's very universally accepted that it's a caretaker, just someone that's like, that's really in charge of making sure Gus is okay, given the age and you know, where Gus is in the stage of their life. But I've never thought about the family member aspect. And so it is interesting when you have that, like you said, the sassiness and kind of like a little bit of the, it's the love, but also the family love where you put that extra oomph into it. So I love that change. Like, I don't know if that's been done in the other performances or is at least discussed as much. So maybe that'll be a cool thing to bring into future versions of CATS. Cause it's, you know, it's still going on all over the world of that relationship.

[5:18] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. And I think like, I think we got there as well because, you know, talking about ballroom and like learning a lot from the people in the space who are a part of the ballroom scene, that is a huge piece of you're in a house, you have a mother or a father, you know, your sisters, you're this. And so it is actually very chosen family and very familial that we really started to talk about like, who knows each other and how do they know each other? And like, what is the relationship? Was anybody in someone's house before? And now they're in a different, like trying as much as we could, you know, given the amount of time we had to be able to put up such a massive show to figure out what the intricacies were, um, of relationship.

And I think that something that Junior had brought to the table was that he was bringing Jellylorum to the balls. And she was learning about ballroom culture through Gus. Um, as, as Junior is such an icon in ballrooms, um, kind of using that as, as his character for Gus and obviously, which makes so much sense. It parallels perfectly. Um, but then helping you then, uh, clarify the Jellylorum stuff inside of that, of like, you know, Gus would be trying to bring his family, trying to integrate her into the scene and show her what all of this is about.

[6:49] Mike Abrams: Yeah. I do think the parallel between ballroom, there's so much, obviously that fits perfectly with it, but the family aspect with the Jellicle tribe also fits of like, you know, we talk a lot on this show. I've always before talked to people about, are you brother, sister, are you related? And there is this, like the sense of the traditional family you would think about, but then there's also the chosen family, which I think is where the ballroom and the Jellicles kind of merge, which is there's a house mother that might not be a, you know, an actual blood relative, but still family. And that's kind of where I love the, the idea of that. So, you know, you can be a granddaughter or chosen granddaughter or just a house granddaughter.

Um, and it's still kind of bringing the same energy and idea to it, which I think is expanding the, the like the actual definition of family, which I thought Jellicles did too, because I was like, at the end of the day, they're cats. They're all like, who knows which one is actually quote unquote mom when they're just cats.

[7:50] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. What are the other relationships then that you thought through for Jellylorum?

[7:55] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. Um, as we've built it, it's been actually really fun. We started to talk about Jellylorum has a crush on Demeter.

[8:10] Mike Abrams: Okay. Yeah.

[8:10] Shereen Pimentel: Um, so like when Demeter walks by, I have a fun time being like, that's my girl. That's she's my girl. Um, so we have stuff like that. I have like moments with Syllabug right now in like Mongojerry and Rumpelteazer and then, um, going into Old Deuteronomy. Um, and we've kind of built something of like a friendship. Um, I think that usually like Jellylorum is somebody who is like a, a mothering cat and is somebody who's like taking care of people. But I have Jellylorum, I think feeling a little bit younger, so a little bit closer to like best friends and wanting to take care of people who are younger than her as well, but still not a full like mother cat and taking care of like everyone. Um, so there's a lot more friendships going on to me.

Um, who else do I have? I, Mongojerry and Rumpelteazer for some reason, we're just like a little band of cats that hang out together every so often. So I've had like, I'm just having a great time becoming friends with each cat and figuring out like why we're close to each other. But those are the ones that I like always see around and we have like developed little things in the show. And then with Grizabella for me, we spoke a lot about the fact that in ballroom they really would like welcome people back. Um, if you had like a legend or something who goes away and then comes back to the scene, you would, you would welcome them. Um, and if they need something, you would open your arms with empathy and stuff like that.

So, um, the way I currently have it is not a space of like shunning Grizabella or like trying to take anyone away from her, but more of trying to say like, I don't think she's going to join us or I don't think she's going to do this. So we need to be okay with the fact that she might not, um, want to be a part of, of what we're doing right now. Um, so kind of like spinning it less of stay away from her and more of, I don't think she's going to come be with us. So I think we need to keep moving on with our lives.

[10:24] Mike Abrams: Okay. That's super interesting too, because there is a couple of things you said there. I like one is, is that with a younger Jellylorum, you are, even though you were like thrown into having more responsibility at a young age, probably then you were ready for or wanting to, you still have this ability to go and kind of bop around with the kittens per se.

[10:44] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. Um, but I love the Grizabella piece too, because that's really interesting of there's this protectiveness of with Grizabella, because it's like something happened generally when she left, at least in the, you know, the version that I'm used to of the stage version and the revival and everything that I've seen is that she left and there's probably some animosity with Gus in the beginning because of whatever she did, he's kind of one of the elders and is there and is doing that. It doesn't feel as much of that in the ballroom. It seems like she left and she's ready to come back. And it's just, you know, she's trying to make a comeback to her in the ballroom sense. And so it doesn't feel that Gus is as like anti-Grizabella, which also means that you are probably less anti-Grizabella. So I love kind of hearing the idea of like, oh, it's not that we're mad at her. It's that she's not coming back to our performance. So let's just keep going because we still got a show to put on.

[11:36] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah. Yeah. And like, I think that it's wonderful that again, truly having people in the space who are currently in the ballroom scene, having them speak to us about what they think and like what they would experience in real time is super helpful to be able to put this storyline together, because that wouldn't have been my natural instinct. And so when they kind of spoke and had things to say about it, it was really eye-opening about what the scene is like and what they experience. So, I would love to continue hearing a little bit about that, because as someone who doesn't have as much of the ballroom knowledge, like you came in with the Broadway side, but you're working, especially as Jellylorum with Junior, I mean, with a ballroom icon. So what was the like learning and experience like for you of that aspect of the world?

[12:35] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah, there was definitely a learning curve for me, especially in choreography. Like, I'd done some musical theater dancing, but like, you know, when we're talking about like, a little bit of hands performance going on, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. There was a lot to learn because it's stuff I've never done before. But also it was just a learning curve of I think that theater and ballroom function differently. I think that theater is a way to express yourself, but within a container and within a structure. Like we do a show eight times a week, it's got to have some kind of structure so we can be doing it. And as we were saying before, like, no matter what time of day we have to do it in, in the day, we have to do it at night, like, it learns how to play within the sandbox, where I think a ballroom has a beautiful way of expressing itself outside the sandbox, and has a beautiful way of expressing itself through improv and through just truly like through self-expression through however you want to express yourself.

And so that was a little bit of a learning curve for me, where I'm used to the structure of it all. And there was a lot of play and figuring out what's going on in the space for yourself. But having Junior around was really wonderful. He had a lot of insight and had a lot of thought of how his character functioned in the space from top to bottom. That really helped to inform what I was doing. And all of that information came from who he is, you know, I think that he was really going off of his own experience, who he is now and throughout his life. And that was really eye-opening to me, and helped me to create like, what I was doing and why I was there. And I think it was actually one of the main reasons why I was like, oh, Jellylorum could be a kitten, like Junior kept saying, like, everyone's a kitten.

Like, he was like, I'm a cat. Like, I'm, I am the older, like, I am Gus, I am a legend. And I was like, yeah, like, you are an icon, like you are, it makes so much sense. Like it, I don't know, that just was really, really helpful in that space. But there was definitely a learning curve for me, I really stepped outside of my comfort zone for this production. And I've had a great time with it.

[15:13] Mike Abrams: Yeah, I mean, it's been incredible to watch. And I just kind of think back to like, you're talking a little bit about the differences. And, but there's also got to be some, just the hearing about the ballroom scene and culture and history from the legends of the history had to have been, you know, just not even just how you put it on as your show, but just understanding of the two worlds blending is got to be an experience. Like, I do imagine Gus in typical Gus, Junior in very Gus settings could sit down and tell you a story about the history in the old days. Like he is the most exact Gus you can get from an actual person.

[16:03] Shereen Pimentel: And I will say he did. He did. We had many, many a moment of Junior doing exactly what we do in this show where he's sitting in a chair, and we're all just listening to what he's talking about. So it's so true, being able to learn the history directly from the people who were a part of it was so beautiful. And also, I think what's wonderful is like, the two these two spaces, they are different, but they are also the same. We all have a common goal of being able to come together and like, express ourselves and also tell stories. So I think that like, it is a great combination, when we got everything together, and we've been able to perform the show for people of like, it is a beautiful meld to give, I think, a wonderful gift to people right now.

[16:51] Mike Abrams: We're gonna take a quick break, and then we'll be back for more of The Wrong Cat Died. So I want to ask you kind of a random question here for Jellylorum. But you know, you've obviously done a lot of different roles. Do you ever think through how some of the previous characters that you've played or and performances you've done relates into the storyline of your current Jellylorum?

[17:14] Shereen Pimentel: Oh, wow. I have to think about that one. I'm going to say no, because I think that all the other roles I've played are nothing like Jellylorum. I don't think she is as like, naive as a Maria. She is not sheltered like a Rapunzel. And she is not an Eva Peron. So she truly is in her own space for me, which I love. It's also the fact that all three of those roles that I just said, none of them go together either. I have really enjoyed having the fact that like, every role that I've done, really, they exist in their own space. And I think that they have like, obviously, some kind of thread that matches, that makes it that I couldn't play all of them. But they are all very, very different. But I would at least say that I'm back in the like, soprano ingenue world for a little bit since I played Eva last year. So back into like the Maria spaces.

[18:31] Mike Abrams: Okay.

[18:32] Shereen Pimentel: Vocally.

[18:33] Mike Abrams: Yeah. I always find it really interesting of like, yeah, they're all independent roles and jobs and characters, but there's always sometimes maybe something you're able to pull from. But Jellylorum's kind of story is unique in a sense. And I've always found Jellylorum's story in the space of Cats also very unique because it's one of the few characters that essentially is saying, I'm not going to even put myself out as an option because I'm here supporting Gus and Gus's chance to go. And that's almost the opposite of everybody else who's like, here's why I should go. Let me tell you all the reasons why it's me. And the selflessness of Jellylorum is very different.

[19:11] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah, it totally is. I think that it was something that I want to say like week two or something someone had said, like, everyone wants to go to the Heaviside Lair. And I went home and I was like, No, I don't. Yeah, I was like, Jellylorum doesn't want to go to the Heaviside Lair. What are you talking about? I want Gus to go. And then I came back to rehearsal and they were like, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They're like, Yes, you're you're right. Great. So it's so true. I think if there was any character that was going to match the roles that I had said before, it would be like a syllabub to Maria. Like, you know, those I think totally have a lot of connection to them.

[19:54] Mike Abrams: Yeah, I've I mean, I've tried to match Cats to different shows.

[19:57] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah.

[19:58] Mike Abrams: Somebody's doing the crossover and some line up perfectly and others. I'm like, there's no there's not a single like character that fits this here at all. But it's a really fun exercise because I do think the beauty of Cats is that by having so many different characters with so widely different personalities, is there's generally somebody that kind of relates. And also why I think so many people like the show is there's probably one cat that you relate to as an individual or that you like you see something of yourself or a family or a friend or someone, you know, in one of the characters, and it's relatable because of how vastly different they all are. And that I think is kind of part of the beauty of why the show has sustained so long is that there is that variety.

[20:47] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah, I totally agree. And like, I don't. I think what I realized also, when we were learning the music is it's actually really fun. I feel like it's so easy to get wrapped up in like, oh, my gosh, this is a interesting show with people in like, we obviously are not dressed as cats. But when you see the original, you're like, all dressed up. Yeah, the music is so fun, which I think people really, really are drawn to, which is just an in general thing about Andrew Lloyd Webber, his music is incredible. And so people just are so wrapped, so wrapped up in it.

[21:31] Mike Abrams: So one of the other questions I want to ask you, and since I've now I recorded a lot with your cast early, you know, before, like, kind of, you know, you're more than halfway through, I think at this point, or by the time this will come out, even closer, probably a month left by the time this episode will air. Yeah, you've had some, quite some guests, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I know Jacob Brent came and a bunch of others. So what is that experience been like for you having the reception of, you know, obviously, the everyone's loved the show, it's hard to get tickets and the reviews are amazing, but also all of the Lin-Manuel's and all the celebrities that have kind of come to see it and have raved about it.

[22:07] Shereen Pimentel: Yeah, um, it's been really exciting. Some of the people that have come, I don't know. So it's wonderful to meet them and to hear what they have to say. And some of them I do know. Um, and so they're seeing me do something very different than what they're used to seeing me do. They obviously see me do a few high notes every so often. But as we said before, it's like a ballroom, I'm dancing quite a bit in this show, which is not my norm. And just like playing a completely different character. So it's fun to see those people again, and be able to talk to them about it. And I think that everyone who's coming is really enjoying the show and really enjoying this spin that we're putting on Cats. And yet, also, we have the score, you know, like, there are ballroom beats, you saw it, there are ballroom beats, but like, it is Cats.

And, and very true to that sense, too, which was really not what I was expecting. Honestly, I was expecting more of it. And it's like, No, this is this is Cats, but some added layers and some choreography changes, obviously, but it is Cats.

[23:20] Mike Abrams: Yeah. And so I it's, it's been wonderful to have so many great, great celebrities and also people in all different sectors. So like we we had Thasha Velour come and we had Anthony Rapp, but then we also have, um, you know, people from the House of LaBeija. We have even ballroom people who are coming who are absolutely iconic. And no matter if they're from theater, television, ballroom, people are really enjoying the show and also appreciating what is happening on the stage. So it's been really great to see that reception and have people. Yeah, enjoy what we're doing.

[24:09] Shereen Pimentel: It's fun in the crowd, too, because you can see it's also a mix of like, I came for Cats, I came for the ballroom, I came because everyone's talking about it, you know, like there is a wide range in the crowd, too. Are you like relentlessly picking on your friends when they're in the cabaret seats or people, you know, if you have the opportunity?

[24:26] Shereen Pimentel: If I can see them, sometimes, like, my favorite show was, um, I got to the cabaret table that I sit on at the beginning of Jellicle song and I turn around and it was somebody I knew and I was like, wonderful. And so I just get to, like, play this entire song to you because this is my spot, usually, for this entire song. So that's what I love that, like, people just happen to be in my section. And so I get to, like, mess with them a little bit. But I do try to stay true to what we're doing as much as I can.

[25:11] Shereen Pimentel: I think Jellylorum is such a fun character to play. She has this really sweet, nurturing side, especially towards Gus, but there's also a bit of sass to her. I like to think of her as Gus' granddaughter, which adds a layer of depth to her character.

[25:38] Shereen Pimentel: There's definitely a crush on Demeter, and I think that dynamic is really interesting. It adds a little tension and playfulness to the show. Jellylorum is always trying to get Demeter's attention, and I think that makes for some sweet moments on stage.

[26:08] Shereen Pimentel: As for which house Jellylorum would consider, I think she would lean towards a cozy, warm place. Maybe something that feels like home, where she can take care of others and feel safe herself.

[26:37] Shereen Pimentel: I also have this interesting idea about Grizabella. I think she might be a better choice for next year's Jellicle decision. There's something about her journey that resonates deeply with audiences, and I believe it could be really powerful to see her story unfold again.

[27:07] Shereen Pimentel: Playing Jellylorum allows me to explore those themes of love and connection, which I think are so important in the show. It's a joy to bring that to life every night.

[27:36] Shereen Pimentel: I love how Jellylorum interacts with the other characters. She has this way of pushing their buttons just a little bit, which makes for some fun moments. It’s like she knows how to get a rise out of them, but she does it with love.

[28:06] Shereen Pimentel: The audience really seems to respond to those moments. They appreciate the humor and the heart that Jellylorum brings to the stage.

[28:36] Shereen Pimentel: I think there's a lot of depth to her character that people might not realize at first glance. She’s not just a side character; she has her own story and her own desires.

[28:55] Shereen Pimentel: I also enjoy the physicality of the role. There’s a lot of movement and expression that comes with being a cat, and it’s fun to embody that on stage.

[29:25] Shereen Pimentel: The choreography really allows me to explore different aspects of Jellylorum's personality. It’s a great way to express her emotions without always using words.

[29:54] Shereen Pimentel: I think the audience can really feel the connection between Jellylorum and Gus. It’s a beautiful relationship that adds a lot of heart to the show.

[30:24] Shereen Pimentel: There’s a sense of nostalgia in their interactions, which I think resonates with a lot of people. It’s like they’re reminiscing about the past while also looking forward to the future.

[30:54] Shereen Pimentel: I love that balance of sweetness and sass in Jellylorum. It makes her a well-rounded character that’s fun to play.

[31:23] Shereen Pimentel: I also think it’s important to highlight the friendships in the show. Jellylorum’s relationships with the other cats really showcase the community aspect of their world.

[31:53] Shereen Pimentel: Each character brings something unique to the table, and Jellylorum is no exception. She adds her own flavor to the mix, which makes the ensemble dynamic really special.

[32:22] Shereen Pimentel: I think audiences appreciate that sense of camaraderie. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, and that connection is what makes the Jellicle Ball so magical.

[32:52] Shereen Pimentel: Overall, playing Jellylorum has been such a rewarding experience. I love being able to share her story with the audience and bring a little joy to their lives.

[33:21] Shereen Pimentel: I hope that people leave the show feeling uplifted and inspired. That’s really what it’s all about for me.

[33:51] Shereen Pimentel: I think there’s something for everyone in CATS, and I’m so grateful to be a part of this incredible production.

[34:20] Shereen Pimentel: It’s a privilege to step into Jellylorum’s shoes every night and share her journey with the world.

[34:50] Shereen Pimentel: I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve created. It’s going to be a truly memorable experience.

[35:20] Shereen Pimentel: Thank you for having me on the podcast. I’ve loved sharing my thoughts about Jellylorum and the show!

[35:48] Shereen Pimentel: I hope everyone checks out CATS: "The Jellicle Ball" and enjoys the magic we’ve brought to the stage.

[36:16] Shereen Pimentel: You can follow me on Instagram @shereenpimentel and check out my website for more updates.

[36:45] Shereen Pimentel: I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the show!

[37:13] Shereen Pimentel: Thanks again for this opportunity to chat about Jellylorum and CATS. It’s been a blast!