The Wrong Cat Died

"She would definitely be a rhythmic gymnast." This episode features Hannah Kenna Thomas who was Victoria on the 2012 West End Revival and is currently in the 2019 Vienna Revival. Hear Hannah talk about her obsession with the show growing up, the story of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn seeing the UK tour to bring to the West End, and her defense for Grizabella as a Jellicle choice. Plus, Mike...

"At times I was just speaking and had no idea what I was saying." This episode features Matthew Levick who is currently playing Bill Bailey in the 2019 Vienna Revival. Hear Matt talk about his time performing CATS on a cruise ship, what it's like learning multiple characters in a different language, and discuss the amazing theatre community in Vienna. Plus, Matt shares a little of the Bill Bailey...

"It's really Victoria and the rest of the cats who pick Grizabella." This episode features Gavan Pamer who played Mungojerrie in the 4th US CATS National Tour. Hear Gavan talk about how the show was so popular that it sold $1M in one week, how they went on an "arena tour," and what it was like doing the infamous cartwheels in his dance. Plus, Gavan tells his theory that Old Deuteronomy was picking...

Nearly 35 years after their first performance, the National 3 cast of the landmark international musical sensation by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS, reunited for a very special virtual theatrical event, WITH LOVE, NOW AND FOREVER! CATS4COVIDRELIEF, a fundraiser for the Broadway Cares Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, which supports The Actors Fund.  Now, one year later they are reunited, once again,...

"In the variety show our Demeter got hit in the face with a briefcase." This episode features Emily Tanner who played Tantomile on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Seas. Hear Emily talk about how the cruise crowd generally reacts to CATS, discuss all of the other things she had to do on the cruise as a dancer like the variety show, and brainstorm with Mike on how to make each week's thre...

"I was told my Tugger gyrated more than any other in the cast." This episode features Chris Stevens who played Rum Tum Tugger in the 5th US CATS National Tour. Hear Chris talk about how we was cast in the show almost immediately after graduating, how he tried to find perfection in a character that thrives on imperfection, and his fun experience with an audience member in Kentucky. Plus, hear Chris...

"The CATS lore was created over the course of many decades of the show." This episode features Jeremy Davis who played Skimbleshanks in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Jeremy tell the story of how Trevor Nunn told the entire CATS story to the 2016 Revival, how the show still have creative liberty to do something different each night (within reason), and the other half of the Tugger/Skimble rumor t...

"We were really left alone to create our own backstories." This episode features Joanna Beck who played Jellylorum in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Joanna discuss playing outdoor theatres with 12,000 seats, what it was like being one of the older cast members on tour, and why she actually thinks the plot is shockingly simple. Plus, Joanna gives her reason on why she thinks the tribe picks the...

"The ritual didn't happen." This episode features Felix Hess who played Skimbleshanks in the 5th US CATS National Tour. Hear Felix talk about learning cat mannerisms, answer all of Mike's questions about Skimble, and shares his theory on how the Ball was cut short because of Grizabella. Plus, Felix and Mike discuss creating a CATS cryptocurrency called Jelli-coin Check out Felix on Instagram: @fel...

"It's kind of just a show of introductions." This episode features Justin Geiss who played Pouncival & Mungojerrie in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Justin talk about how he was obsessed with the show growing up as a dancer, his fun story with Andy Blankenbuehler during his audition, and how he defends Macavity as his Jellicle choice. Plus, Justin discusses how Harry Potter influenced th...

"I had a little plush Mistoffelees when I was younger." This episode features Melody Rose who played Tantomile in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Melody discuss how she was a CATS fanatic growing up, share the backstory of the Twins, and gives her defense for why Gus should be the Jellicle choice. Plus, Melody humors me by discussing her thoughts on next year's Jellicle Ball. Check out Me...

"This show will change your life if you let it." This episode features Claire Camp who was the dance captain and a swing in the 2016 Broadway revival. Hear Claire explain her deep love for the show, share how she tells her friends which cat she thinks they are, and discuss her regional productions of CATS prior to Broadway. Plus, Claire gives such a passionate defense of Grizabella that she nearly...

"I do think I'm a little responsible for making Skimbleshanks nuts." This episode features Cathy Susan Pyles who played Jennyanydots in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Cathy discuss her experience as a swing on other national tours before going on as Jenny in CATS, how contributions from the initial casts help drive backstories for the cats, and her arguments to sacrifice one of the kittens for...

"We can make this work. I would be Meatloaf Tugger." This episode features Nathan Patrick Morgan who played Old Deuteronomy in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Nathan talk about his experience in multiple productions of CATS (dinner theater, multiple US national tours, read throughs, and more), discuss covering so many different characters, and discuss his theory on how Old Deuteronomy has...

"My son says the whole idea of CATS is creepy.". This episode features Karen Longwell who was in the ensemble in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Karen discuss her experience as a dancer in the show, give backstories for multiple Cats, and her arguments for for both Grizabella and Gus. Plus, Karen tells the story of how she acted as a puppeteer during the With Love, Now and Forever fundraiser. Ch...

"Grizz. Easy. She's Tonya Harding. She's had a tough life. She's a fighter." This episode features stand up comedian and the host of Sports Tabata Meghan Hanley who has never been in CATS but had a crazy experience seeing the show. Hear Meghan talk about how her CATS jokes bombed when she tried them during a set, how she grew up in Long Island seeing the CATS commercial her whole life, and why her...

"Everyone was just very curious about the show." This episode features Adrea Gibbs who played Bombalurina in the 1987 US National Tour 3 along with a few other CATS in other productions. Hear Adrea discuss being part of the initial Los Angeles cast of CATS as Tantomile, her experiences at the stage door on tour, and her rationale on why Grizabella is not ready for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, Adrea...

"The cab driver insisted we were wrong about the title and the show was called - Those Darn Cats". This episode features Christine Toy Johnson who played the Sillabub in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Christine discuss her experience on the show, how she wrote the script for the recent 2020 Broadway Cares fundraiser, and her arguments for both Gus and Grizabella. Plus, Christine starts up her o...

"Have you ever heard the theory that Old Deuteronomy is actually just a serial killer?" This episode features Dan Hoy who played Munkustrap in the most recent CATS National Tour. Hear Dan talk about how he was obsessed with the show burning throw the 1998 CATS VHS, discuss all the crazy Munk rumors, and discusses if Old Deut should be considered more for the Heaviside Layer. Plus, Dan humors me by...

"I think Grizz and Mistoffelees are close." This episode features Randy Slovacek who played the magical Mr. Mistoffelees in the 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Randy share how he knew he was going to be in the show from the first time he saw it, his Macavity and Bomb theory, and his aha moment where he learned how to bring his best self to performances. Check out Randy on Twitter & Instagram: @randy...

"His carbon pawprint is huge!" You probably know Donna Vivino from her time on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked or as the original Young Cosette in Les Misérables but she joins Mike to talk about her time as Grizabella on the 2020 6th US National Tour. Hear Donna discuss how she had never seen the show until 2020, give a breakdown on which Cats she loves and hates, and matches which Wicked character...

I want to hear from you! The feedback I've been getting is great, but I want to know more about if you think Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. Record yourself and tag @thewrongcatdied on IG or Twitter to let me know, or email it to thewrongcatdied at gmail.com. Music by: Anthony Norman Produced by: Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network Instagram & Twitter: @TheWrongCatDied Learn more about you...

"People thought we were a baseball team." This episode features Austin Jetton who played Old Deuteronomy on 1987 US National Tour 3. Hear Austin talk about the show jackets that confused people into thinking they were a baseball team, his emotional experiences sitting on stage during intermission, how he came up with the idea for the recent fundraiser, and his theory that Jellicle tribe is actuall...

"You will all pick for the same reason that I already know that she is the one that should be picked" This episode features Tricia Tanguy who played Grizabella in the 2007 5th US National Tour and then again over 10 years later in the 2019 6th US Tour. Hear Tricia discuss what it was like learn the show from some of the original CATS team, how Andy Blankenbuehler uses the ensemble to tell the CATS...

"Grizabella is the girl at the end of the bar. It's not the age, it's the mileage." This episode features BK Kennelly who played Rum Tum Tugger on 1987 US National Tour 3 and three other productions. Hear BK share what it was like being on the infamous CATS National Tour in the 80s, what his experience was going to play Tugger in Hamburg, and his emotional memory from the fundraiser. Plus, he sing...