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[0:00] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of The Cat Sashaphy. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have an amazing guest. She was Tantomile on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Oasis of the Seas, which has been doing a production of Cats since 2014. So welcome, Emily Tanner. Thank you for joining me.

[0:33] Emily Tanner: Thank you for having me.

[0:35] Mike Abrams: So I want to get into cruise Cats right off the bat.

[0:41] Emily Tanner: Well, before we go off the bat, I do think it's more fun to hear a little bit more about your history with Cats. So you are kind of in the range of where you might have grown up with the 1998 movie. But what was like, when was the first time you saw it? How much did you know about it before the cruise? Like, what is your backstory with Cats?

[1:00] Emily Tanner: Yeah, I didn't know anything. I was not a theater kid at all. I was shy, and I took dance lessons. And I just wanted to be a rock cat. Like I had nothing to do with Cats. I think I had seen the eyes and I had seen the logo, but never had I seen the VHS, never saw a tour come through. And it wasn't until I was living in New York, and I saw the revival that came out, is it 2016? 2017? Yeah, that came out. And I knew a few people in it, and they'd gone to my college and my high school. And I was like, Oh, like, that's what this is. Like, I had no idea. The plot. I mean, I still do it. Does anyone know?

[1:44] Mike Abrams: Spent a lot of time trying to figure that out.

[1:46] Emily Tanner: Right, haven't we all? I was in it for a year. I still I have questions. Yes, that was the first time I saw it. And it but it still didn't really occur to me. Oh, you could be in it. And then I find it so funny that a few years later, I ended up playing five different Cats in the show, like, ranging in the strangest, like perspective of Cats. I had never anticipated that.

[2:08] Mike Abrams: So as a dancer, you like, because I've talked to a few, like, it seems like people who are in the show are either dancers, singers, or like very deep into theater. As a dancer, it's like most of the dancers want to be the white cat. And it's like, you knew about that. But it sounds like you didn't you just were, I didn't know at all.

[2:26] Emily Tanner: I knew so little about the white cat that when I was at the audition, they said, Does anyone have a really great leg extension? And I was like, Yeah, I have a pretty good extension where you can just hold it out to the side. And so all of these ballerinas came out, and they all like, developed their leg up by their face. And I brought my leg up, and it was at like, a little above 90 degrees. And I was like, Oh, they didn't mean that they like that they want someone that their leg can just stick straight up in the air. And so once I saw my leg where it was, and everyone else's, I like just removed myself, I just walked back to the side. And I was like, Thank you very much. I, I guess I'm not going to be the white cat.

[3:10] Emily Tanner: So never saw the movie never. I mean, you and when did you go on the tour? Was it after you saw it in 2016?

[3:18] Emily Tanner: Yes. So what had happened was, right before I saw the Broadway show, I was on a cruise contract performing out around South America for six months, and I swore I would never do a cruise ship ever again. I was like, This is insane. I miss my family. I have to get back to New York. And then I saw Cats. I was like, that's an interesting show. And then I saw the audition for Cats for Royal Caribbean. And then, you know, if you've ever met a performer without a job, we kind of like having jobs. And I was like, Well, I guess, I guess if I auditioned for Cats, I would go back and do a cruise ship only because it's it would be adding to my resume, and it would be a completely different experience than the cruise that I had done before. So that was the order I had done a cruise, I swore I would never do it again. I saw Cats, didn't think I would ever be in it, auditioned for Cats, booked five million Cats and then cruised for a year doing the show.

[4:13] Mike Abrams: So okay, so now you get through the audition, you get cast as Tantomile and also a swing, it sounds like for everything in between. How does a cruise ship like it's not eight shows a week, I assume like how does a cruise Cats contract work?

[4:33] Emily Tanner: So it is very different from your normal traditional eight shows a week, because whenever you do that, you are committed to the show, right? Like you, your job is to be a cat every day, and you get paid lots of money to do that. But when you are hired by a cruise ship, there are other jobs that you are supposed to do on the ship. So we actually only did Cats three nights a week. And then two other nights a week, we had a whole separate like variety show that we would perform and had like tap dancing and hip hop and acrobats and like the things flying in the air. And then we also had two parades that we had to march in. So I would have to put on like a Rastafarian wig and march down the promenade twice a week.

And then what else dancers, so the dancers and singers had very different experiences on our ship as well. So the singers got to kind of live like a joyful existence, and they got their own rooms, and most of them had windows. So they could just kind of look out the window and think about doing the show at night. Whereas the dancers, we were like running around the ship, like teaching dance classes and running the spotlight machine for other events. So like I had to learn how to, how to use like a legit spot machine to spot the aqua show three times a week at the back of the ship. Or we had to do quick changes for other shows. And we were also, the dancers were double bunked down in the underbelly of the ship where we had no windows.

And you would wake up in like pitch black every day because, and you would just be like, where am I? While the singers were off like living their lives and just having a great time. So was there some animosity between the singers and dancers? Sure. But I was smart. And right from the beginning, I knew that the singers were going to have some privileges. So I may have kind of like forced myself into some singer friend groups where I, I knew that, you know, they, they didn't have to make reservations at a restaurant. They could just walk right in. Or like, like, for example, the singers, they could just go to the hot tub whenever they wanted. And the dancers had to get written permission, like a week ahead of time if we wanted to go to the hot tub.

So I would get my friend who was Skimbleshanks and I would say, hey, you want to go to the hot tub after the show? And we would go and we would, I would get to go to the hot tub only because of Skimbleshanks. So I had no animosity towards the singers because I played my cards right. But not all the dancers did. And there, there was a little bit of sore feelings, I think, as a whole.

[7:11] Mike Abrams: Yeah, that's, that is, I feel like that might influence your take on the show. If you've got like a little bit of like, all right, well, this person gets this privilege, like, you might bring that into your cast performance.

[7:17] Emily Tanner: Completely, especially when you play someone like Tantomile, who doesn't have, like, the strongest personality character, like, you know, my, my words were, what were they like secretive, telepathic, and I wrote them down and suspicious. And so like, whenever you play those, you could kind of like, it was however I felt about people that day. And so that would kind of like go into it, like, if I was annoyed with the dancers, for some reason, or annoyed with the dance captain, or if I was annoyed with anyone, Tantomile would kind of be annoyed with that person in the show, because she is like, highly sensitive. That's how I kind of play.

[8:13] Mike Abrams: Yeah, I love that. I love that the influence of like the ship actually can change the story here. Because there's so, so much freedom with that. Tell me as much as I have a million other questions about just the other things you're forced to do on the ship, I should probably stick to the Cats part of it.

[8:27] Emily Tanner: Yeah. So you did three shows a week. And are these I'm assuming seven day crew, this is like one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It's probably a seven day plus cruise.

[8:32] Mike Abrams: Yeah. How many times did people go see it? Was it like a couple people saw it all three times? Or is it really different people each time? Like, what does that look like?

[8:47] Emily Tanner: Well, you have to first start with who books a seven day cruise in the Caribbean. And as like, first things first, we have to go see Cats. It's not gonna be a large group of people. Which is unfortunate, because we were working so hard out there, like we really were a great group of performers, we were doing the original show. And, and, yeah, it wasn't super popular. So the way the way that Royal did it, you didn't have to buy tickets, you just had to reserve seats. And so it was a it was a 1500 seat auditorium, which is a pretty large space. And you could go every night if you wanted to, or you could go the first night and sit through intermission and then think it was over. And then just head back to the buffet if you wanted.

They put it at really late times. So the first two nights, I think the show is at nine o'clock maybe. And so by the time we get to the Jellicle Ball, they think the show is over. And they just head out because they didn't pay for it. And there's no usher telling them to stay. And then on the last day of the cruise, there would be a matinee. And what are you going to do on the last day of the cruise whenever it's a sea day and you're coming back in like you're going to go lay out at the beach, you're not going to sit in a dark theater and watch a creepy Broadway show from that's what I mean.

[10:11] Mike Abrams: Well, that's I mean, so when I did my research on the Oasis of the Seas, I was shocked has been going on since 2014. I mean, pandemic aside of cruise ships, it's been going on for multiple years. And having been on cruises before I have I don't think I've ever watched a musical on a cruise. Like I've seen shows or variety shows or comedies or interactive games. But I was trying to wrack my head around if I ever saw full as it's like a two hour and 40 minute production if you're doing the original.

[10:39] Emily Tanner: Yeah, and expensive, I think to buy the rights and to pay the performers and to do all the things. But I know Royal started and other cruise lines have done this too. They've started adding musicals just to be like another thing. You know, these these cruise ships are like floating theme parks and there's ice skating rinks and bumper cars and Ferris wheels. And so they're like, why not add a Broadway show into the mix too. But they've actually have shortened it down. So it used to be the full original thing. I think for the first seven or eight, I was cast six. And I know a few after us did the full thing too. But they've they've like they're doing an abridged version. Now, I think it's like a 90 minute show where they like took out all the slow things they put in the best of the best. And then, boom, it's done. And there's no intermission.

[11:25] Mike Abrams: I want to talk to someone who's doing that because I want to know what they cut. I want to know, like, how do you take like who got what Cats not up for?

[11:35] Emily Tanner: Yeah, yeah. Who got the axe? I know someone from 2016 did like a junior high or high school production. They just did like four Cats. And so it's like it's not the story or anything. It was just a chance to do it.

[11:44] Emily Tanner: I played Tantomile on the Oasis of the Seas, and it was such an incredible experience. The cruise crowd is generally really enthusiastic about CATS, which makes performing it so much fun.

[12:14] Emily Tanner: One of the unique aspects of performing on a cruise is that we had to adapt to different audiences every week. Each show felt like a new opportunity to connect with people who might be seeing CATS for the first time or who were already fans.

[12:41] Emily Tanner: In addition to CATS, we also had a variety show where our Demeter got hit in the face with a briefcase. It was a hilarious moment that really showcased the unpredictability of live performances, especially in a cruise setting.

[13:09] Emily Tanner: As a dancer, I had to juggle multiple roles and performances throughout the week. It was a lot of work, but it was also incredibly rewarding to see the audience's reactions.

[13:37] Emily Tanner: We often brainstormed ways to keep each week's three shows different. It was important to us to keep the performances fresh and engaging for returning guests.

[14:03] Emily Tanner: The onboard experience for singers and dancers can be quite different. Singers often have to manage their vocal health while performing multiple shows, while dancers focus more on physical stamina and choreography.

[14:33] Emily Tanner: I loved the camaraderie we built as a cast. We were all in it together, supporting each other through the challenges of performing on a cruise ship.

[14:59] Emily Tanner: The audience reactions varied from show to show, but it was always exciting to see how people connected with the characters and the story.

[15:23] Emily Tanner: Performing Tantomile was a dream come true for me. The character has such a unique perspective in the show, and I enjoyed bringing her to life.

[15:53] Emily Tanner: I also appreciated the opportunity to explore the backstories of the Jellicle cats with the audience. It added depth to the performance and made it more engaging.

[16:23] Emily Tanner: One of my favorite moments was when we would interact with the audience during the show. It created a special connection that you don't always get in a traditional theater setting.

[16:53] Emily Tanner: The variety show was a great way to showcase our talents beyond CATS. It allowed us to highlight different skills and keep the audience entertained in new ways.

[17:23] Emily Tanner: I think the cruise environment really enhances the experience of seeing a show like CATS. The relaxed atmosphere makes it easier for people to let loose and enjoy the performance.

[17:53] Emily Tanner: We also had to be adaptable, as sometimes things didn't go as planned. But those moments often turned into the most memorable parts of the show.

[18:23] Emily Tanner: I loved being part of a production that brought joy to so many people. It was fulfilling to see how much the audience appreciated our hard work.

[18:53] Emily Tanner: The feedback we received from guests was overwhelmingly positive, and it motivated us to keep pushing ourselves to deliver the best performances possible.

[19:23] Emily Tanner: Overall, my time on the Oasis of the Seas was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much about performing and connecting with audiences in a unique setting.

[19:53] Emily Tanner: I would encourage anyone who has the chance to see CATS on a cruise to go for it. It's a different experience that you won't want to miss.

[20:23] Emily Tanner: I also want to give a shoutout to my fellow cast members who made the experience so special. We all worked hard together, and it was a joy to share the stage with such talented individuals.

[20:53] Emily Tanner: If anyone wants to follow my journey, they can find me on Instagram at @emtannn or check out my website at emily-tanner.com.

[21:23] Emily Tanner: Thank you for having me on the podcast! It's been great to share my experiences and talk about the magic of performing CATS on a cruise.

[21:53] Emily Tanner: I hope listeners enjoyed hearing about the behind-the-scenes aspects of our performances and the unique challenges we faced.

[22:23] Emily Tanner: It's always a pleasure to discuss the art of performance and the joy it brings to both performers and audiences alike.

[22:53] Emily Tanner: I'm looking forward to seeing how CATS continues to evolve and resonate with new generations of theatergoers.

[23:23] Emily Tanner: Thank you again for the opportunity to share my story!

[23:29] Emily Tanner: I played Tantomile on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas, and it was such an incredible experience. The cruise crowd generally has a unique reaction to CATS, which is always interesting to observe.

[23:59] Emily Tanner: In the variety show, our Demeter actually got hit in the face with a briefcase, which was quite a memorable moment.

[24:14] Emily Tanner: As a dancer on the cruise, I had to juggle multiple roles and shows, which kept things exciting. We would brainstorm ways to make each week's three shows different, so it never felt repetitive.

[24:29] Emily Tanner: The onboard experience for singers and dancers is quite different. Dancers have to be more versatile since we perform in various styles, while singers focus more on their vocal performances.

[24:44] Emily Tanner: I loved the challenge of adapting to the cruise environment, and it really pushed me to grow as a performer.

[25:14] Emily Tanner: The audience on the cruise is often a mix of people, which adds to the fun. Some are huge CATS fans, while others might be seeing it for the first time.

[25:34] Emily Tanner: It’s fascinating to see how different audiences react to the same show.

[25:54] Emily Tanner: I remember one night, we had a particularly enthusiastic crowd, and their energy really elevated the performance.

[26:14] Emily Tanner: We also had to be prepared for anything, like unexpected technical difficulties or changes in the schedule.

[26:34] Emily Tanner: It taught me to be adaptable and think on my feet, which is a valuable skill in this industry.

[26:54] Emily Tanner: Overall, performing on a cruise ship was a unique experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

[27:14] Emily Tanner: The camaraderie among the cast was also a highlight. We became like a family, supporting each other through the ups and downs of performing.

[27:34] Emily Tanner: I think that sense of community really shines through in our performances, and it resonates with the audience.

[27:54] Emily Tanner: I also enjoyed the opportunity to explore different ports of call during our time off.

[28:14] Emily Tanner: It was a great way to balance work and play, and I made some amazing memories along the way.

[28:34] Emily Tanner: Each port offered something new, and it was exciting to experience different cultures.

[28:54] Emily Tanner: I think that added to my overall experience as a performer, giving me fresh perspectives to bring to the stage.

[29:14] Emily Tanner: I would definitely recommend performing on a cruise to anyone looking for a unique experience in the performing arts.

[29:34] Emily Tanner: It’s a great way to grow as an artist while also enjoying the adventure of travel.

[29:54] Emily Tanner: Plus, you get to meet so many interesting people from all over the world.

[30:14] Emily Tanner: I feel like I’ve gained so much from my time on the cruise, both personally and professionally.

[30:34] Emily Tanner: It’s an experience I’ll always cherish, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

[31:04] Emily Tanner: I also think it’s important to keep pushing ourselves as performers, to keep evolving and trying new things.

[31:24] Emily Tanner: That’s what keeps the art form alive and exciting.

[31:44] Emily Tanner: I’m looking forward to what the future holds and continuing to explore new avenues in my career.

[32:04] Emily Tanner: Whether it’s more theater, dance, or even branching out into other areas, I’m open to it all.

[32:14] Emily Tanner: I think that’s the beauty of being an artist; there are always new paths to explore.

[32:24] Emily Tanner: And I’m excited to see where my journey takes me next.

[32:44] Emily Tanner: Thank you for having me on the podcast to share my experiences!

[33:04] Emily Tanner: It’s been a pleasure discussing my time as Tantomile and the unique world of performing on a cruise ship.

[33:24] Emily Tanner: I hope it inspires others to consider this path in their own artistic journeys.

[33:44] Emily Tanner: And of course, I’ll always be a fan of CATS and the magic it brings to audiences everywhere.

[34:04] Emily Tanner: Thank you again for this opportunity to chat!

[34:24] Emily Tanner: I can’t wait to see what’s next for me and to keep sharing my passion for performance.

[34:44] Emily Tanner: Until next time!

[35:14] Emily Tanner: I played Tantomile on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas.

[35:44] Emily Tanner: The cruise crowd generally reacts to CATS in a very interesting way.

[36:14] Emily Tanner: It's a unique experience performing for a cruise audience.

[36:44] Emily Tanner: The variety show is quite different from the CATS production itself.

[37:14] Emily Tanner: In the variety show, our Demeter got hit in the face with a briefcase.

[37:44] Emily Tanner: It's always a surprise what can happen during a live performance.

[37:49] Emily Tanner: The energy from the audience can really change the vibe of the show.

[37:54] Emily Tanner: We had to adapt our performances to keep things fresh each week.

[38:04] Emily Tanner: It was a challenge to make each week's three shows different.

[38:14] Emily Tanner: The onboard differences for singers and dancers are quite notable.

[38:24] Emily Tanner: As a dancer, I had to juggle multiple roles and performances.

[38:34] Emily Tanner: The variety of shows kept us on our toes.

[38:44] Emily Tanner: I loved the opportunity to showcase different talents.

[38:54] Emily Tanner: It was a great experience working with such a talented cast.

[39:04] Emily Tanner: The camaraderie among the performers was fantastic.

[39:14] Emily Tanner: We all supported each other through the ups and downs of performing.

[39:24] Emily Tanner: The cruise environment added a unique twist to our performances.

[39:34] Emily Tanner: I enjoyed connecting with the audience in a different setting.

[39:44] Emily Tanner: It was rewarding to see their reactions to our performances.

[39:54] Emily Tanner: Each show felt like a new adventure.

[40:04] Emily Tanner: The challenges we faced made us stronger as performers.

[40:14] Emily Tanner: I learned a lot about adaptability during my time on the cruise.

[40:24] Emily Tanner: It was a memorable experience that I will cherish.

[40:34] Emily Tanner: I hope to bring those lessons into my future performances.

[40:44] Emily Tanner: The experience on the Oasis of the Seas was truly one of a kind.

[40:54] Emily Tanner: I look forward to sharing more stories from my time there.

[41:04] Emily Tanner: The variety show was a highlight of my cruise experience.

[41:14] Emily Tanner: I loved being part of such a dynamic and creative team.

[41:24] Emily Tanner: It was a joy to perform for such diverse audiences.

[41:34] Emily Tanner: The feedback we received was incredibly motivating.

[41:44] Emily Tanner: I felt lucky to be part of the Royal Caribbean family.

[41:54] Emily Tanner: The memories I made will last a lifetime.

[42:04] Emily Tanner: I can't wait to see where my journey takes me next.

[42:14] Emily Tanner: Thank you for having me on the podcast to share my experiences.

[42:24] Emily Tanner: It's been a pleasure discussing my time as Tantomile.

[42:34] Emily Tanner: I appreciate the opportunity to connect with fellow CATS fans.

[42:44] Emily Tanner: I hope to inspire others with my story.

[42:54] Emily Tanner: Performing is my passion, and I can't imagine doing anything else.

[43:04] Emily Tanner: Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoyed our conversation.

[43:14] Emily Tanner: Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or my website.

[43:24] Emily Tanner: I love connecting with fans and fellow performers.

[43:34] Emily Tanner: Let's keep the conversation going about CATS and our experiences.

[43:44] Emily Tanner: I'm excited to see what the future holds for all of us.

[43:54] Emily Tanner: Thank you again for having me on the show.

[44:04] Emily Tanner: It's been a wonderful experience sharing my journey.

[44:14] Emily Tanner: I look forward to staying in touch with everyone.

[44:24] Emily Tanner: Let's continue to celebrate the magic of theatre together.

[44:34] Emily Tanner: Until next time, take care and keep dreaming big.

[44:44] Emily Tanner: Thank you!

[44:54] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:04] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:14] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:24] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:34] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:44] Emily Tanner: Bye!

[46:54] Emily Tanner: Bye!