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.

[0:15] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of Cats Ashrafi. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have another fun episode. Our guest today actually joined us on a BroadwayCon panel a few years ago, but I wanted to hear the full take. He is the co-founder of The Broadway Beat and just a hilarious human and comedian in general. So welcome, Zach Raffio. Thank you for joining me.

[0:34] Zach Raffio: Good morning, Mike. How are you?

[0:38] Mike Abrams: I'm doing well. Excited to have you. As a Broadway Beat writer, we get to connect a little bit, but not enough about Cats and not enough about how The Broadway Beat even came, because I joined so much later. This has been around so much longer than I've been writing. So let's go in order of Cats, Broadway Beat, and then some fun stuff to end. But I want to start, this is a Cats podcast. Of course.

[1:04] Zach Raffio: What was your introduction to Cats? You're obviously a theater person. I know you work in theater. You've got a theater satire website. When did you learn and see Cats the first time?

[1:15] Zach Raffio: Okay, so I grew up in Westchester, New York. We had a theater named the Westchester Broadway Theater, which unfortunately closed for the pandemic and then didn't reopen, but they used to do a lot of really great work. And there was a youth production of Cats I had some friends in at the time. This was when I was in high school. And I had heard of Cats, just like my parents worked in theater. So I knew of it. We owned the VHS, but I never watched it because I was like, that looks boring. I don't need to. I was like, I don't know. It's a dusty VHS. I want to watch something else. So we took a field trip in school to see this youth production of Cats, our chorus class. And I, again, knew nothing about it.

I just knew my friends were in it. They came out dressed as cats. And I thought, well, what are you guys doing? That's not right. And I remember really liking it. And at intermission, myself and my friend John, who was in the class, we both were saying to ourselves, not to ourselves, to each other, this is really cool. I don't know what's going on.

[2:20] Zach Raffio: Which is not a... They didn't either. Your friends in the show didn't either.

[2:26] Zach Raffio: Oh, yeah, yeah. And they were just like, we're getting out of school. This is fine. But it was... And that's not a rare take to see Cats and be like, I like it. Don't know what it is. So there's a woman near us who wasn't with our class. She was just a regular person attending. And she said, do you want me to explain the show? What's going on? And we were 14. We were like, sure, go ahead. And somewhere through her explanation, I also got lost in what she was saying. So by the end of her spiel, I was like, oh, cool. Thank you. And then I was like, I still have no idea what this show is about. I am not old enough or smart enough, I guess, to get it.

[3:08] Mike Abrams: That's a very dangerous proposition by that lady. First of all, I am the person that's... I feel like I know more than most people about the show by a mile because of this show now. There's obviously a lot of super fans who really do know the show intently, and then also the people who did it. But when I go to see... I went to see the tour a couple of years ago in the US and DC, and I was sitting there. And one time I was sitting there by myself, and same thing kind of happens. People are talking and I'm like, I'm not jumping into this conversation because I will sound like a lunatic if I explain it the way, at the level I know it. I'm like, well, let me tell you about the backstory of this character. But to talk to a 14-year-old is also even more dangerous because it's a pretty dark and heavy story, if you really think about it.

[3:59] Zach Raffio: It's a dark and heavy story, and also kids are mean. We were nice because we were in chorus, what do we have to stand on? But there's a chance where you ask these 14-year-olds who are on a field trip, they've been dragged to this, do you want me to tell you about this show? And they might be like, fuck off, old lady, get out of here. So thankfully we would never.

[4:21] Mike Abrams: You should get her on the show. I mean, if you have contact information, I'm ready.

[4:26] Zach Raffio: I want to hear that explanation. I've never had less contact information for a person before.

[4:31] Mike Abrams: Could you even picture or describe her, let alone...

[4:38] Zach Raffio: No, and the theater does not exist anymore. Unfortunately, she's in the ether.

[4:40] Mike Abrams: Yeah, ether. She was a season ticket holder, probably. So that would be my guess. Although Indiana did, where I'm from, did a junior production either last year, or maybe it's coming up this year. And my mom volunteers at the place that's doing it, and so she was telling me about it. And she's like, you should come and do this stuff. I'm like, no, I shouldn't. I shouldn't come to a junior production of Cats as an adult.

[5:06] Zach Raffio: Who don't even live in that state.

[5:08] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Unless they're inviting me to be like, oh, here's somebody who knows a lot, and they're going to tell you a little bit, like part of the rehearsal process, where I'm an invited guest. I shouldn't just come to watch. That's not the vibe I should be going for. I don't think anyone needs to cross state lines for a junior production of Cats.

[5:25] Zach Raffio: Yeah, for sure. I think that is exactly the way it should go. So that was your first introduction. Did you see the revival? Have you seen other productions?

[5:35] Zach Raffio: I did. So then I saw the revival in 2016-ish with Leona Lewis, and I loved it. It was amazing. And then what was interesting is that I remember coming out of that being like, the man who danced Mr. Mistoffelees is the greatest dancer on God's green earth. That was the greatest choreography I've ever seen. And then I saw Illinois, and I thought, the man who dances this lead role is the greatest dancer on God's green earth. Same guy.

[6:04] Mike Abrams: Same guy. Yeah.

[6:05] Zach Raffio: It really took so many things into place. I was like, I'm right. This man is incredible, Ricky Ubeda. Unreal.

[6:13] Mike Abrams: That is really funny. Yeah, Ricky's done a ton of stuff. And then you had Andy Blankenbuehler with that choreography, who's done Hamilton and all kinds of things. And so, yeah, you saw incredible talent multiple times.

[6:30] Zach Raffio: Yeah. So I loved the revival. And it was interesting. I knew the show pretty well at that point. My dad had played the show on Broadway. He was a Broadway musician for 35 years.

[6:42] Mike Abrams: Okay.

[6:43] Zach Raffio: So it was never his show fully. He was a sub on Cats, but he played it a lot. And he never, and this is the original, and he never ended up seeing it at the time. Even though he was subbing on it, he never sat down and saw a Broadway production of Cats. So this in 2016 was his first time seeing a Broadway production of Cats.

[7:08] Mike Abrams: How many times do you think he had played it at that point?

[7:10] Zach Raffio: Dozens, if not over 100. I mean, it was a long time, and he was a long time sub. But again, he had never just sat back and watched it. So it was interesting in that way. And then we brought my older brother, who's a theatre person because he also grew up in that realm, but he's not nearly as into it as the rest of us. And he did not care for Cats.

[7:33] Zach Raffio: So I do think Cats is a show that you either have to enjoy the ambiguity of storytelling, like you like that type of thing, or you have to really love the music and dancing. If you're not one of those people, like the average theatre goer, it's a tough one. And so I get that.

[7:51] Mike Abrams: Yeah. So I don't fault him for it, but we definitely, we walked out, like me and my dad were like, what a night. And my brother was like, what time's the train?

[8:01] Zach Raffio: I walked out, I probably saw it around the same time you did, because I saw that same, that was my first time seeing the show. And I walked out so wildly confused as someone who, again, did parody writing and storytelling like myself. I loved that. I spent so much time trying to figure that part out, because it wasn't so clearly laid out for me. But at the same time, also have a mom who's a musician and can't dance or anything being like, this is just talent. This is incredible what I just watched, but I don't know what it was.

[8:30] Zach Raffio: Yeah. And sometimes a vibe is important. So I think if something hits you in a way, even if you can't put it into words, that's better than being able to explain something and feeling nothing toward it.

[8:45] Mike Abrams: Yeah, that's true. It's memorable. I think that is important. And when you think about theatre, there's been shows where I'm not going to throw any under the bus, but I've lived here since 2016. And there's been shows I went to, I'm like, I remember a line from the show, and I couldn't tell you what the show was about or anything. I just remember that one joke or line or anything. And that's probably not great. I couldn't even tell you the basic plot of whatever the show was.

[9:09] Zach Raffio: But there's other ones where I'm like, I could remember every detail of this.

[9:13] Mike Abrams: Yeah. So I'll take that over the former any day.

[9:17] Zach Raffio: For sure. Okay, let's pivot to the Broadway Beat. It's so fun. It's so funny. Walk me through the beginning. How did you come up with this idea and start creating this?

[9:28] Zach Raffio: Of course. And I'll just say as a side note, I do in some ways consider you our Cats correspondent.

[9:34] Mike Abrams: Well, there's a couple. There are a couple people who are very deep. And I'm always like, I see a good catch up. I try to support them. But there's been a couple where I'm like, that's actually not right. We shouldn't run this one.

[9:48] Zach Raffio: And it's important. Keep us honest when it comes to the Cats. Everyone has their expertise. But yeah, so we started the Broadway Beat in 2019. I had kind of mentally started it. I'd say probably like a year before that I was writing for a site named the Hard Times and their video game offshoot Hard Drive. So that's where I really learned like the structure of writing satire, the structure of how the sites work, how the editorial process works, and so on and so forth. And coming from a theater background, I kind of was wondering like, is there a world for a theater version of this? Would people care? Am I the person to try and do that? And I added some of that back and forth with Haley, who's one of our editors. And I was like, I don't know if I'm really the person to do this. And she was like, well, no one else is. So why not? And there was a gap in the market for sure.

[10:44] Zach Raffio: Who cares if in the grand karmic scheme, you're the person to do it. You're the person who might do it. So what does it matter? Just do a good job. And I was like, yeah, all right, let's try it. So Haley Jane Rose, Edward Precht, and I started it up. And I was writing, I'd say, like the majority of the articles for a little bit, but was always kind of keeping it open to others, making sure there was info on the website, like how to pitch us. The Hard Times founder, Matt Sancombe, we had a conversation early on where he just gave me some beginning like, here's things that I think would have been helpful if I knew that I learned along the way.

[11:25] Zach Raffio: Yeah. Throughout the process, for sure.

[11:25] Mike Abrams: Which was nice. He was very generous with that. And he was like, obviously, if you want to post in our Slack for The Hard Times, inviting people to write, you have my blessing 100%. Which I did. And that helped a lot, getting us some early people who not only were interested, but knew how to write set, which I think gave us an early advantage. Because it's not a competition, but an early influx of people who were game.

[11:54] Zach Raffio: Yeah.

[11:54] Zach Raffio: So that really, really helped from the beginning, just getting some outside voices. Because as much as I can write articles, I'm only one person and I'm not the funniest person. So people come in with other ideas and that's just going to make it a more well-rounded project. So then as we got on, I started more formalizing Haley and Edward's roles, just as editors, as contributors. They also write for the site as well, of course. But it's really helpful for them to come in and have a more structured role in terms of helping our writers just get over the finish line. And then we just added more and more people, met some great people, which has really been my favorite part of it. I mean, I wouldn't have known you, most likely.

[12:40] Mike Abrams: For sure.

[12:46] Zach Raffio: I think the first time I saw CATS Junior, I was like, "What is this?" I had no idea what to expect. I was just a kid, and I think I was probably around eight or nine years old. I remember being really confused by the whole thing, but also kind of fascinated.

[13:16] Zach Raffio: The way that the show is structured, it’s just a bunch of cats introducing themselves, and by the end of her spiel, I was like, "I still have no idea what this show is about." But I think that’s part of the charm of it, right? It’s just this weird, surreal experience that you can’t quite put your finger on.

[13:46] Zach Raffio: When I started The Broadway Beat, I wanted to create a space where people could engage with theater in a fun and satirical way. I think there’s a lot of room for humor in the theater community, and I wanted to tap into that.

[14:16] Zach Raffio: I started writing about shows and creating content that poked fun at the absurdities of theater life. It was really just a way for me to express my love for theater while also making people laugh.

[14:46] Zach Raffio: I think one of the biggest challenges for aspiring satire writers is finding that balance between being funny and being respectful. You want to make people laugh, but you also don’t want to alienate the very community you’re trying to engage with.

[15:16] Zach Raffio: So, I always try to approach my writing with a sense of love for the material, even when I’m being critical. It’s important to remember that we’re all part of this community, and we’re all in it together.

[15:46] Zach Raffio: I also think it’s crucial to stay informed about what’s happening in the theater world. Whether it’s new shows, casting news, or industry trends, being knowledgeable helps you create content that resonates with your audience.

[16:16] Zach Raffio: And of course, social media plays a huge role in how we share our content. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow us to reach a wider audience and engage with theater fans in real-time.

[16:18] Zach Raffio: I love interacting with people who share my passion for theater, and social media has made that so much easier.

[16:22] Zach Raffio: It’s also a great way to get feedback on your work. I always encourage aspiring writers to share their content and see how people respond.

[16:52] Zach Raffio: You never know what might resonate with someone, and that can help you refine your voice and style.

[16:58] Zach Raffio: Speaking of refining your voice, I think it’s essential to read widely and expose yourself to different styles of writing.

[17:02] Zach Raffio: Whether it’s theater criticism, comedy, or even just good storytelling, the more you read, the more you’ll develop your own unique voice.

[17:08] Zach Raffio: And don’t be afraid to experiment! Try different formats, styles, and tones.

[17:14] Zach Raffio: The more you play around with your writing, the more you’ll discover what works for you.

[17:18] Zach Raffio: I think that’s one of the most exciting parts of being a writer – the opportunity to explore and grow.

[17:24] Zach Raffio: And of course, it’s important to have fun with it! Writing should be an enjoyable process, so don’t lose sight of that.

[17:30] Zach Raffio: Now, if we were to compare CATS characters to NBA players, I think it would be a fun exercise.

[17:36] Zach Raffio: For example, I could see Rum Tum Tugger as someone like Russell Westbrook – flashy, a bit unpredictable, but always entertaining to watch.

[18:12] Zach Raffio: On the other hand, I think Old Deuteronomy would be more like LeBron James – a leader, respected, and someone who knows how to bring everyone together.

[18:18] Zach Raffio: It’s interesting to think about how these characters embody certain traits that we see in athletes.

[18:24] Zach Raffio: And it’s a great way to connect different worlds – theater and sports – in a fun and engaging way.

[18:30] Zach Raffio: I think that’s what makes The Broadway Beat so unique; we’re not just focused on theater, but also how it intersects with pop culture and other interests.

[18:36] Zach Raffio: It’s all about finding those connections and making the content relatable to a broader audience.

[18:42] Zach Raffio: And I think that’s something that can really resonate with people, especially in today’s world where we’re all looking for ways to connect.

[18:48] Zach Raffio: So, whether it’s through humor, satire, or just good storytelling, I think there’s a lot of potential for writers to make an impact.

[18:54] Zach Raffio: And I’m excited to see where that takes us in the future.

[19:00] Zach Raffio: I think the key is to stay true to yourself and your voice while also being open to new ideas and perspectives.

[19:06] Zach Raffio: That’s what keeps the creative process fresh and exciting.

[19:12] Zach Raffio: So, for anyone looking to get into satire writing, I’d say just go for it!

[19:18] Zach Raffio: Don’t be afraid to take risks and put your work out there.

[19:24] Zach Raffio: You never know who might connect with it, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

[19:30] Zach Raffio: And remember, it’s all about having fun and enjoying the journey.

[19:36] Zach Raffio: So, keep writing, keep creating, and don’t forget to laugh along the way!

[19:42] Zach Raffio: I think that’s the best advice I can give to anyone looking to break into this field.

[19:48] Zach Raffio: Just embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride!

[19:54] Zach Raffio: And who knows, maybe one day you’ll find yourself creating something that resonates with people just like CATS has.

[20:00] Zach Raffio: It’s all about finding your passion and running with it.

[20:06] Zach Raffio: So, whether you’re a fan of CATS or just love theater in general, I hope you find joy in the process.

[20:12] Zach Raffio: And if you ever need a laugh, you know where to find me at The Broadway Beat!

[20:18] Zach Raffio: Thanks for having me on the show, Mike.

[20:24] Zach Raffio: It’s been a blast chatting about all things theater and satire!

[20:30] Zach Raffio: I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of us in this crazy world of theater.

[20:36] Zach Raffio: So, let’s keep the conversation going and continue to celebrate the magic of theater together!

[20:42] Zach Raffio: Thanks again, and I’ll see you around!

[20:48] Zach Raffio: And remember, always keep your sense of humor close – it’s the best tool we have as writers.

[20:54] Zach Raffio: Until next time!

[21:00] Zach Raffio: Bye!

[21:06] Zach Raffio: Take care!

[21:12] Zach Raffio: And keep shining your light in the theater world!

[21:18] Zach Raffio: It’s a beautiful place to be!

[21:24] Zach Raffio: Thanks for listening, everyone!

[21:30] Zach Raffio: I appreciate all of you!

[21:36] Zach Raffio: And I hope you have a fantastic day!

[21:42] Zach Raffio: Keep dreaming big and reaching for the stars!

[21:48] Zach Raffio: You never know what magic might happen!

[21:54] Zach Raffio: Bye for now!

[22:00] Zach Raffio: And remember, laughter is the best medicine!

[22:06] Zach Raffio: So, keep laughing and enjoying life!

[22:12] Zach Raffio: Until next time!

[22:18] Zach Raffio: Take care, everyone!

[22:24] Zach Raffio: And keep spreading joy wherever you go!

[22:30] Zach Raffio: Bye!

[22:36] Zach Raffio: And keep shining your light!

[22:42] Zach Raffio: It’s a beautiful world out there!

[22:48] Zach Raffio: Thanks for being part of this journey!

[22:54] Zach Raffio: I appreciate each and every one of you!

[23:00] Zach Raffio: And I can’t wait to see what’s next!

[23:06] Zach Raffio: So, keep dreaming and keep creating!

[23:12] Zach Raffio: Until next time!

[23:18] Zach Raffio: Bye!

[23:24] Zach Raffio: And remember, you’re all amazing!

[23:30] Zach Raffio: Keep shining!

[23:36] Zach Raffio: And keep being you!

[23:42] Zach Raffio: It’s the best thing you can do!

[23:48] Zach Raffio: Bye for now!

[23:54] Zach Raffio: And take care!

[24:00] Zach Raffio: Keep spreading that positivity!

[24:06] Zach Raffio: Until next time!

[24:12] Zach Raffio: Bye!

[24:18] Zach Raffio: And keep shining your light!

[24:24] Zach Raffio: It’s a beautiful world out there!

[24:30] Zach Raffio: Thanks for being part of this journey!

[24:36] Zach Raffio: I appreciate each and every one of you!

[24:42] Zach Raffio: And I can’t wait to see what’s next!

[24:48] Zach Raffio: So, keep dreaming and keep creating!

[24:54] Zach Raffio: Until next time!

[25:00] Zach Raffio: Bye!

[25:06] Zach Raffio: And remember, you’re all amazing!

[25:12] Zach Raffio: Keep shining!

[25:18] Zach Raffio: And keep being you!

[25:24] Zach Raffio: It’s the best thing you can do!

[25:32] Zach Raffio: I have a pitch that's currently outstanding, where I actually think there's two ways to write the story. They're both funny, but they're very vastly different stories. And one is very, very dumb satire, and one's very aggressive satire. But I haven't put the context in. And so it's kind of interesting to see how people are voting, because I don't know if they realize that I don't even know which one I think is funnier. And for context for listeners, we have a Slack where we all pitch things, and we have kind of a vote system that I call sort of a soft vote system, because we read every headline, of course, and discuss them all. But we ask people to like or respond to pitches that they like, just so we can get kind of a feel of the group.

And again, the idea that things may identify with people that don't necessarily mean as much to us individually, so we get kind of a feel for the greater community. So it's more of a, again, it's more of a vibe check than it is like an actual like, the people didn't approve your headline, so neither shall we. We consider everything. It just helps us kind of understand.

[28:10] Zach Raffio: Well, and there's the reverse of that, which is there's been a couple where I've put them in, being like, you shouldn't let me write this. And it's funny, and it's voted on, but it's probably fringe appropriateness, or maybe this is not the right joke that we should put our name on. And those usually actually do really well, because everyone's like, yeah, we thought the same thing, but probably didn't decide to post it. Yeah. And yeah, there's been a few that get really good responses that I think are funny, but I'm just like, it's not gonna... I know from running the site that this is not gonna be what we want it to be.

[28:47] Zach Raffio: And it's funny when I, because I'll pitch things too. I try to keep it... I want to get feedback on mine too. And people often will like mine, but I also have the thought of like, well, they're buttering up to the boss. They don't want to... So I have to have Haley and Edward sometimes keep it honest and be like, is this worth writing? The first time you pitched, I saw your pitch in the Slack. I was like, why are you pitching in the Slack? Don't you make this decision ultimately? Do you need us to say, yes, this is funny? But then a lot of times I'm like, oh no, it's the timely stuff. And so you're just throwing different ideas out. And I like it too, because a lot of times somebody else has sparked somebody else's, and you can see the continuation of like, oh, I build on that one a little bit too.

[29:30] Zach Raffio: Absolutely. And I often, if there's a breaking news story, I'll be going to the timely and be like, thread and just pitch your stuff in this and reply to this, so we get them all in one place.

[29:41] Mike Abrams: You've told some people some news that it sounds like from that too. It's been a theme.

[29:46] Zach Raffio: Yeah. I love when we post something timely and someone will reply and be like, this is how I found out.

[29:52] Mike Abrams: Yeah. This is how I learned about this news. Tell me quickly, I know you launched a podcast this year. So talk a little bit about that. It's called the Broadway Beat Podcast.

[30:03] Zach Raffio: We're doing it in seasons, so to speak. So I commend you for being able to do this so consistently. I don't know how or why.

[30:11] Mike Abrams: Don't question a good thing.

[30:11] Zach Raffio: But in our head, we were like, I don't know that we can continually do this 52 weeks a year. So we're doing kind of batches of eight. It's for the Broadway Podcast. It's in the kindest way a ripoff of Comedy Bang Bang, but for theater people. So we have a theater or theater adjacent person as themselves, and we do a fun interview with them up top. And then we have a writer slash comedian come in as a theater adjacent character and join the conversation for the second half. And we have sort of a group convo with this fictional person. And it's so fun. I mean, we've had a lot of our writers on. I actually have a character pitch for you, which we can talk about. I told you my character pitch for you last time we were in person.

[31:07] Mike Abrams: Yes.

[31:08] Zach Raffio: The one I think could work. But I'm not a character actor or comedian or performer. So this is where it's like, this will be stretching my experience.

[31:13] Mike Abrams: Yes. Well, that was my thought too. I was like, you can do that character, but I have another one that also could work for you if you wanted to do a different one.

[31:22] Zach Raffio: So we have two options for you. We'll talk.

[31:24] Mike Abrams: Okay. We'll talk after. We'll talk after this recording.

[31:26] Zach Raffio: I was like, depending on your comfort level, I was like, well, we'll do that. But yeah. So we've had some really great people on. One of my favorites was Andrew Cober, who's currently in Gypsy.

[31:37] Zach Raffio: Hilarious.

[31:39] Zach Raffio: He's so funny. We had him on. We had Jenny Haining, who's one of our writers and a close friend. Her character was the guy who didn't quite get suffs. And she was so funny. That's one of my favorite episodes. We have Patti Murin came on. And Natalie Ortega, who's currently Nessa Rose in Wicked on Broadway. She's also a great comedian and character actor. She came on as one of the runner ups in The Search for Elle Woods, the MTV reality show. She was insanely funny. Elsie Fisher from Bo Burnham's 8th grade came on. She's very funny. She's so young. I always forget. We've done a few things with her now, and every time I'm like, oh, you're so young and your comedy sensibility is so early Simpsons, a lot of schtick. She's very wise beyond her years from a comedy standpoint.

[32:36] Mike Abrams: Yeah, it's been fun to listen to him. I've listened to all of them.

[32:40] Zach Raffio: Oh, thank you.

[32:40] Zach Raffio: And it's been hilarious because it is a half serious first half of the episode with a very known person. And then I'm like, because I also know a few of the writers that you've had as the characters. And I'm like, oh man, what are they going to do? What is their character going to be? Because some of them, they've all been hilarious too. And then they don't break. They stay in character through the whole thing.

[33:05] Zach Raffio: Oh yeah, they stay. It's we break. I laugh the whole time, for better or worse. And oftentimes, Haley is multi-talented, not just the editor of the site, but she engineers the podcast and edits it as well. And she often, you can hear in so many episodes, her cracking up off mic, which is, again, it's a good time. We do a mix of Zoom and in-person.

[33:33] Mike Abrams: Yeah.

[33:34] Zach Raffio: So we're trying to figure out a happy medium for the second season. Do we try to do them all in-person or is that even possible? So we'll see what happens.

[33:45] Mike Abrams: Yeah. It's easier to get people on Zoom because it's just less of a lift, but it's more fun and usually better content in person. Although this format has gotten a little better. We don't use Zoom. We use a Zoom adjacent and it's pretty good. And it gives you some of the features that you wouldn't have on Zoom, which I've found helpful. But yeah. And it's also who's in New York and not New York, which is for me, a lot of times I've had a lot of overseas in London and Australia.

[34:12] Zach Raffio: Right.

[34:13] Mike Abrams: I'm like, great. I'm going to record at 10 p.m. my time, 9 a.m. your time, and we can do this because it's easy.

[34:21] Zach Raffio: Yes. Yes. You're an international podcast. You're catering to the globe.

[34:25] Zach Raffio: It's currently in Korea, I think, and it's going to Germany soon. So it's like, it's international. It's on Royal Caribbean Cruise. It's everywhere.

[34:34] Zach Raffio: It's those cats. You can't tie them down, nor would you want to.

[34:38] Mike Abrams: No, of course not. We're going to take a quick break and then we'll be back for more of The Wrong Cat Died. So I want to pivot to the NBA, but the way I'm going to pivot us is I want to ask you a question if you've noticed this, because I don't think it depends on if you've edited most of my stories or not. So I'm going to break some news to you if you haven't noticed this. But one of my biggest challenges of writing stories is the easiest part, which is naming the characters.

[35:03] Zach Raffio: Yes.

[35:04] Mike Abrams: Right? Should be the easiest thing. I'm always like, well, what should I do? And sometimes there's a character name that fits into the humor, but when there's not, have you noticed that at least half the articles I've written are just Indiana Pacer player names, obscure Pacer player names, renamed?

[35:18] Zach Raffio: I have never noticed that.

[35:21] Mike Abrams: Okay. That's great.

[35:22] Zach Raffio: You go back. I've taken a person like Jeff Foster. I pick people who a theater person would never know. It was like Jeffrey Foster. I don't even know who Jeff Foster is.

[35:28] Mike Abrams: You don't know Jeff Foster? Oh my God, Jeff Foster, Indiana Pacer's legend.

[35:36] Zach Raffio: When was he in the NBA?

[35:38] Mike Abrams: He was in the NBA in the 2010s. He probably played 15 years. He was the big white center who rebounded. You would recognize him because he would terrorize your team type of guy. He's the guy that you would root for but hate.

[35:52] Zach Raffio: Oh, this guy. Yeah. He looks like an investment banker. Yeah.

[35:56] Mike Abrams: Exactly.

[35:58] Zach Raffio: So, I try to pick really obscure, so that way it's not obvious.

[36:01] Mike Abrams: Right.

[36:02] Zach Raffio: But yeah, I think at least three of the articles I've written for you are renamed Indiana Pacer players.

[36:05] Mike Abrams: Yeah. All right. Well, that stops immediately.

[36:12] Zach Raffio: I'll expand a further NBA.

[36:16] Mike Abrams: Well, good to know. Good.

[36:18] Zach Raffio: So, here's how we're going to pivot this. For everyone listening, as we're going to slowly lose all of our listeners at this point in the podcast.

[36:25] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Speaking of nations.

[36:27] Zach Raffio: Zach and I are both very big basketball fans. I think I've talked about that before. We've had a few where we've done some sports things. I think my sports background is well known, but I've wanted to do this for a little while and I think you're the perfect person to do this with.

[36:40] Mike Abrams: All right.

[36:40] Zach Raffio: I want to take the cat, I want to take the character, and I want to say which NBA player fits that character. And so, I spent some time thinking about this. This is what I do when I have free time. So, I'm going to name you the cat's character, and I want you to tell me which NBA player you think most embodies that personality or character. And you can tell me past players, current players. I did mostly current players. I tried to pick also people that if you do watch the NBA, you would hopefully know who they are, not the most obscure, obscure players. But it's an open game, whoever you want to name.

[37:21] Mike Abrams: So, let's start with Mr. Mistoffelees.

[37:24] Zach Raffio: All right. Mr. Mistoffelees. Well, I'm thinking of someone very showy. I'm trying to think of someone... My initial thought is there's Luka Magic, but I don't think he's right. I don't think he's quite it. But I'm trying to think of someone very creative, you know?

[37:41] Zach Raffio: I mean, it's tough. I mean, he's very top of mind right now. But Shea Gilgis Alexander, if we're thinking of this season, I mean, the things he does are amazing. The way he’ll put something up that I'm like, well, that won’t go in, and he didn’t mean to do it like that. That looks crazy. And then it goes in the most smooth manner. And it’s like, oh, he’s meant to do that.

[38:03] Mike Abrams: I thought the same way. But I thought Steph Curry, just because of the Olympics and just a couple of shots. It's like, there's no way a human can do that many turns and can make that shot. And so I thought Steph Curry. The other one I thought was Luka's teammate, which is kind

[38:19] Zach Raffio: So, I started The Broadway Beat because I wanted to create a space where we could talk about theater in a fun and satirical way. I felt like there was a lot of serious criticism out there, and I wanted to bring a lighthearted approach to it.

[38:49] Zach Raffio: My experience with CATS Junior was quite interesting. I was part of a production where I played one of the cats, and it was a unique experience. The choreography was fun, but I still had no idea what the show was really about.

[39:17] Zach Raffio: The idea for The Broadway Beat came to me when I realized that there were so many absurdities in theater that could be highlighted. I wanted to poke fun at the tropes and clichés we see in musicals and plays.

[39:37] Zach Raffio: One of the challenges I faced when starting the site was finding the right tone. I wanted to be funny without being mean-spirited, which can be a fine line to walk in satire.

[39:57] Zach Raffio: I think aspiring satire writers should focus on what makes them laugh. If you find something funny, chances are others will too. It's all about finding that unique perspective.

[40:25] Zach Raffio: Social media has been a huge part of promoting The Broadway Beat. Engaging with our audience and sharing content that resonates with them has really helped us grow.

[40:45] Zach Raffio: When it comes to picking which NBA player would be which CATS character, I think it’s all about personality. For example, someone like Stephen Curry could definitely be a playful character like Munkustrap.

[41:05] Zach Raffio: On the other hand, a player like LeBron James might embody a more commanding presence, perhaps someone like Old Deuteronomy. It’s all about matching their traits to the characters.

[41:25] Zach Raffio: I also think it’s important to remember that every character in CATS has their own story and depth, even if it’s not always clear. That’s part of the fun of the show.

[41:45] Zach Raffio: The feedback we’ve received from our audience has been overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the humor and the fresh take on theater topics.

[42:05] Zach Raffio: I always encourage people to not take theater too seriously. It’s meant to be enjoyed, and sometimes that means laughing at the quirks and oddities of it all.

[42:25] Zach Raffio: I think the future of The Broadway Beat is bright. We’re always looking for new ways to engage with our audience and expand our content.

[42:45] Zach Raffio: Whether it’s through more video content or live events, I’m excited to see where we can take it next.

[43:05] Zach Raffio: Ultimately, I want The Broadway Beat to be a place where theater lovers can come together, share laughs, and celebrate the art form in all its glory.

[43:25] Zach Raffio: I believe that satire has a unique power to shine a light on the absurdities of life, and theater is no exception.

[43:45] Zach Raffio: So, if you’re an aspiring writer or just someone who loves theater, I encourage you to find your voice and share your perspective.

[44:05] Zach Raffio: There’s a community out there waiting for your take on things, and it’s always refreshing to hear new voices in the conversation.

[44:25] Zach Raffio: Thank you for having me on the show, Mike. It’s been a pleasure discussing all things theater and sharing my journey with The Broadway Beat.

[44:45] Zach Raffio: I hope everyone checks out our content and joins in on the fun. There’s always something new to explore in the world of theater.

[45:05] Zach Raffio: And remember, whether you love CATS or not, there’s always something to appreciate in the creativity and passion behind it.

[45:25] Zach Raffio: So, keep laughing and keep enjoying the magic of theater, everyone!

[45:45] Zach Raffio: Thanks again, Mike, for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing where our conversation goes next.

[46:05] Zach Raffio: And to all the listeners out there, don’t forget to follow us on social media for more updates and hilarious content.

[46:25] Zach Raffio: You can find us at @bwaybeatnews on all platforms. Join the conversation and let’s keep the laughter going!

[46:45] Zach Raffio: Until next time, keep celebrating the joy of theater in all its forms!

[47:05] Zach Raffio: And remember, every cat has its day, but it’s the stories we share that truly matter.

[47:25] Zach Raffio: So, let’s keep sharing those stories and enjoying the ride together.

[47:45] Zach Raffio: Thanks for listening, everyone!

[48:05] Zach Raffio: I can’t wait to see what the future holds for The Broadway Beat and for all of us in the theater community.

[48:25] Zach Raffio: Let’s keep the spirit of creativity alive and continue to support one another.

[48:45] Zach Raffio: Cheers to all the theater lovers out there!

[49:15] Zach Raffio: And remember, laughter is the best medicine, especially in the world of theater.

[49:35] Zach Raffio: So, let’s keep laughing and enjoying every moment we have in this incredible art form.

[49:55] Zach Raffio: Thanks again for having me, Mike. It’s been a blast!

[50:15] Zach Raffio: I look forward to our next chat and continuing to explore the wonderful world of theater together.

[50:35] Zach Raffio: Until then, take care and keep spreading the joy of theater!

[50:55] Zach Raffio: Bye for now!