175 episodes

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.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

The Wrong Cat Died Broadway Podcast Network

    • Arts
    • 4.7 • 38 Ratings

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.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

    Brett Michael Lockley, Pouncival on US National Tour 6 & Swing in The Who's TOMMY

    Brett Michael Lockley, Pouncival on US National Tour 6 & Swing in The Who's TOMMY

    "I remember there's Green Eyes and a couple other times that the cats go into the house and into the audience. Because of everything that was going on I was an advocate about being like… can we figure out a way around that right now? And that night we didn’t." This episode features Brett Michael Lockley who performed as Pouncival on the US National Tour 5 of CATS and is currently a swing (and making his Broadway debut) in The Who's TOMMY at the Nederlander. Hear Brett discuss being in the show that was the final performance before the pandemic lockdown, what it was like to be on tour during the peak moments of the 2019 CATS movie, and what you can expect when you come to see The Who's TOMMY. Plus, Brett and Mike cast The Who's TOMMY characters as CATS.


    Check out Brett on Instagram: @brett.lockley


    Check out The Who's TOMMY on Instagram: @whostommyshow


    Check out The Who's TOMMY on Broadway: tommythemusical.com



    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 54 min
    Katie Hutton, Rumpleteazer on Asia Tour 2022-2023

    Katie Hutton, Rumpleteazer on Asia Tour 2022-2023

    "What I think makes CATS so special is you could look at our cast and point out any single one of us and know exactly who our cat was because we were just like them." This episode features Katie Hutton who played Rumpleteazer on the 2022-2023 Asia Tour of CATS performing in Korea and Taiwan. Hear Katie discuss learning part of the Ball for university auditions, how her friendships within the cast influenced relationships on stage, and how her own personality fit into portraying Rumpleteazer. Plus, Katie tells the story of how part of the cast was featured in the Korean Vogue for a photoshoot.

    Check out Katie on Instagram: @katiehutton


    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 50 min
    Yardén Barr, Grizabella on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas

    Yardén Barr, Grizabella on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas

    "A couple of cast mates and I have thought of a familial relationship for Grizabella that I haven’t heard theorized before. Maybe she is Gus’ daughter and when she left, that’s why Jellylorem started taking care of him. And that’s where Grizabella got her desire to be a star from." This episode features Yardén Barr who is current performing as Grizabella on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas production of CATS. We recorded this episode during Yardén's rehearsal process before getting on the ship so hear her discuss meeting Old Deuteronomy on stage seeing the show for the first time, her theories she is bringing to this production, and what the rehearsal process has been like. Plus, Yardén shares a great new Grizabella familial relationship to consider.


    Check out Yardén on Instagram: @yardenbarr


    See Yardén on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas: www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/oasis-of-the-seas



    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Felicia & James Gardner, Demeter & Electrician on US National Tour 4 & Original Broadway Production

    Felicia & James Gardner, Demeter & Electrician on US National Tour 4 & Original Broadway Production

    "I always say I owe my entire life to CATS." This episode features Felicia & James Gardner who met originally on the US National Tour 4 of CATS. Hear Felicia (Farone) and James tell the story of how they met on tour, how Felicia played Demeter while James worked as a sound engineer, how Felicia went on to make her Broadway debut in CATS, and a ton of other crazy stories. Plus, Felicia and James tell the fun story of how they didn't actually connect on tour but how they hit it off while on Broadway.

    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 53 min
    Nina Straface, Theatre Content Creator, Performer, & CATS Defender

    Nina Straface, Theatre Content Creator, Performer, & CATS Defender

    "For the Met Gala, I was like, I have to make a CATS joke before anybody else does. So I made it and it ended up being, at the time, my most watched and my most liked video ever." This episode features Nina Straface who is a theatre content creator, performer, and CATS defender. Hear Nina share how her CATS Tik Toks continue to go viral, how she strategically plans her content, and her thoughts on the musical. Plus, Nina shares a cool parallel between a book series called Warrior Cats and CATS the musical.


    Check out Nina on Instagram: @nina_cecilia__ & @itsneengreen


    Check out Nina on Tik Tok: @itsneengreen


    Check out Nina on YouTube: @neengreen



    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr
    Samantha Sturm, Demeter on 2016 Broadway Revival

    Samantha Sturm, Demeter on 2016 Broadway Revival

    "On that tour I was a very innocent, inexperienced young lady. I did not really understand a lot of the movement that I had to. I really had to fake it until I made it with being the sexy cat." This episode features Samantha Sturm who was a swing on the US National Tour 5 and then played Demeter in the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS. Hear Samantha discuss learning sections of the Jellicle Ball in dance class as a 12 year old, the differences from being on tour vs on Broadway with different choreographies, and how her cast came up with backstories for their cats. Plus, Samantha shares a crazy story on how she ended up as a stage manager calling the show at one point on tour. 


    Check out Samantha on Instagram: @samanthasturm


    Check out Samantha on Tik Tok: @samanthasturmnyc



    Produced by:
    Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
    Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
38 Ratings

38 Ratings

TAnnTann1107 ,

Meow!! 😻

Love this fun podcast! Having seen Cats both on Broadway and several times on the Oasis of the Seas, I still had no clue as to the relationships, back stories, etc, so it’s fun to hear everyone’s take! Love the variety of guests and hearing about their backgrounds and experiences while in the show. Keep up the good work!

will__h ,

Meh-ow

The host slurs words and speak too fast. It also appears he has his own opinions about the guests’ characters and tries to force mythology that simply isn’t there. I truly don’t think those you interview care as much as you do.

Adaumbelle ,

The Purrrfecccttt Listen

This podcast is hilarious! It's the most in-depth, comprehensive discussion you'll ever hear about CATS the Musical! I love how Mike breaks down this musical and points out all of its idiosyncricies.

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