The Wrong Cat Died
Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.
All Episodes
Ep243 - Gavin Eden, Skimbleshanks on the International Tour
“I think that CATS needs to carry on existing. And when I say this word, I mean it with absolute love. Like a museum piece. It deserves to be preserved.” This episode features longtime CATS performer Gavin Eden who most recently played Skimbleshanks on the International Tour and has worked on productions in Germany, Korea, China, and on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
Ep242 - PJ Adzima, Broadway Performer, Producer, and Creator of Stage Time
“CATS The Jellicle Ball was one of the greatest theatrical experiences I’ve ever seen. It had a massive impact on me and made me a fan of CATS.” This episode features PJ Adzima who is known for his role as Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon Musical and recent rise of his production company Stage Time.
Ep241 - Cassiel Eatock-Winnik, Victoria in 2025 South Africa Tour
“The Jellicle Ball is a massive dance competition… to prove who’s best to the judge Old Deuteronomy to give them a new life. They are dancing for their lives.” This episode features Cassiel Eatock-Winnik who is currently performing as Victoria in the South Africa touring production of CATS.
Ep240 - Savannah DeCrow, Grizabella on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas
“There’s always the chance that they can make an announcement of some sort and when that happens, that completely cuts the music in the show. It overrides the singing and everything.” This episode features Savannah DeCrow who recently performed as Grizabella on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas production of CATS.
Ep239 - Sam Brown, Munkustrap on the International Tour
“Chrissie set it out as this young lion who is about to inherit the throne. The Jellicle throne.” This episode features Sam Brown who is currently performing as Munkustrap on the International Tour of CATS.
Ep238 - Tyler Daddario, Director of 2025 Broadway Theatre of Pitman Production
“The way I approached this whole production is that I wanted this to be the CATS that 11-year-old Tyler would want to see.
Ep237 - Adam Lendermon, Skimbleshanks on US National Tour 5
“When you’re acting like a cat to begin with, it’s a lot easier to paw in the direction that people need to be.” This episode features Adam Lendermon who played Skimbleshanks on the US National Tour 5 of CATS.
Ep236 - Marco Venturini, Macavity on the International Tour
“I actually think there is something kind of cool about a bad guy who is pure evil, that there are no redeeming qualities whatsoever.” This episode features Marco Venturini who is currently performing as Macavity on the International Tour of CATS.
From The Vault: "Tempress" Chasity Moore, Grizabella in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball
From The Vault: Originally released on June 25, 2024, this was episode 171 with "Tempress" Chasity Moore who was Grizabella in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and Tempress will be Grizabella!
From The Vault: André De Shields, Old Deuteronomy in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball
From The Vault: Originally released on September 3, 2024, this was episode 184 with André De Shields who was Old Deuteronomy in PAC's CATS: The Jellicle Ball. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026 and André will be Old Deuteronomy!
Ep235 - Ginger Minj, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 Winner & Future Rum Tum Tugger
“ It's like an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. You know there's a lot of people there. Some of them have very furry backs. Most of them pretend to dance and there's some cat fights.
Ep234 - Bryce Bayer, Munkustrap in 2025 Music Theater Heritage Production
“ It's like a group of misfits gathering behind the bleachers after school. And we're all weird and no one wants to hang out with us. So we get together and we tell stories together.” This episode features Bryce Bayer who played Munkustrap in the 2025 Music Theatre Heritage production of CATS in Kansas City.
Ep233 - Cooper Howell, Associate Director in CATS: "The Jellicle Ball"
“I was involved basically since the very first workshop. I was the original Rum Tum Tugger.” This episode features Cooper Howell who was an Associate Director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center's reimagined production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball and will be continuing the role during the Broadway Transfer.
From the Vault: CATS: The Jellicle Ball Creative Team ft. Zhailon Levingston, Bill Rauch, & William Waldrop
From The Vault: Originally released on May 10, 2024, this was a bonus episode with CATS: The Jellicle Ball Creative Team ft. Zhailon Levingston, Bill Rauch, & William Waldrop. CATS: The Jellicle Ball will be transferring to Broadway in March of 2026!
Ep232 - Adam Andrews & Jadyn Kelly, Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer in 2025 Broadway Theatre of Pitman Production
“I want to warn you. You’ve got real life Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer here so we could talk for hours.” Check out this episode with Adam Andrews and Jadyn Kelly, who play the mischievous duo Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer in the Broadway Theatre of Pitman's production of CATS.
Ep231 - Vikki Coote, Rumpleteazer in Original West End Production
“I felt like I was having a dream. Some out of body experience. Andrew literally sat there playing the overture right in front of me.” This episode features Vikki Coote who played Rumpleteazer in the original West End production of CATS.
Ep230 - Meghan Peploe-Williams, Swing on the International Tour
“When you have such a love and a passion for a show that means so much to you, you have the ability to take care of it and look after it.” Check out this episode with Meghan Peploe-Williams who in multiple productions of CATS.
Ep229 - Tim Scott, Director of 2018 & 2025 Music Theater Heritage Productions
“ I've never seen a production of CATS that looks the way a production of CATS are supposed to look which is why I always thought I was the perfect person to direct it.” This episode features Tim Scott who was the Director of the 2018 and 2025 reimagined productions of CATS at the Music Theater Heritage in Kansas City.
Ep228 - Jalise Wilson, Grizabella in 2023 City Springs Theatre Production
“I couldn’t ignore the fact for me that I was playing Grizabella while also pregnant so for me I had to allow that piece of me to layer into my version of Grizabella.” This episode is with Jalise Wilson who performed as Grizabella in the 2023 City Springs Theatre Company production of CATS.
Ep227 - Aaron Jenkins, Swing on the International Tour & Chorus in the 2019 Movie
“I’m not religious but Chrissie Cartwright would be the person I would pray to.” This episode is with Aaron Jenkins who is a versatile performer known for his extensive involvement in various CATS productions.
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