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.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

The Wrong Cat Died is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 305 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Wrong Cat Died, a arts show with 305 episodes published.

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  The Wrong Cat Died

  From The Vault: Emma Sofia, Skimbleshanks in Cats: The Jellicle Ball & Not Victoria in 2016 CATS

  Sep 28, 202653 min

  From The Vault: Originally released on February 10, 2021, this was episode 35 with Emma Sofia discussing her very fun audition story for the 2016 Broadway Revival of CATS which was long before her time as Skimbleshanks on Broadway in the Jellicle Ball. "My goal was not to be Victoria; it was just to be an a**hole and wear a white unitard." This episode dives into one of the grandest CATS audition you'll ever hear. Emma Sofia (Caymares), who starred on Broadway as Veruca Salt in the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as Wendy in the original cast of Finding Neverland, discusses her infamous audition and how she always stays true to herself. Check Emma out on ABC's new sitcom Call Your Mother. Check out Emma on Social Media: @emmasofiaokay Check out CATS The Jellicle Ball: ⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #273

  Ep273 - John Anker Bow, Gus on US National Tour 6 & Mr. Van Daan in Slam Frank

  Sep 21, 202650 min

  “In a 4 show weekend, I did Peter, Bustopher, Deuteronomy, Gus, Deuteronomy.” This episode features John Anker Bow who played Gus on the US National Tour 6 of CATS and is returning in Slam Frank: The Musical, opening off-Broadway in October. John recounts first seeing CATS as a child on Broadway and later on VHS, his path from studying English and doing school musicals to working in theater education and auditioning professionally, and how CATS grew on him during a two-year tour shaped by original creative lineage. John then discusses Slam Frank’s satirical, edgy, timely humor, its sold-out downtown run, and its expanded Off-Broadway staging. 02:07 Choosing Theater Career Path 04:42 Auditioning CATS Tour 12:48 CATS Lore 16:08 Choreo Revival Athlete Talk 18:06 Wild Tour Stories 21:18 What To Expect at Slam Frank 40:39 Rapid Fire Check out John on Instagram: @johnankerbow Check out Flop of the Heap Podcast on Instagram: @flopoftheheap Check out Slam Frank The Musical on Social Media: @slamfrankmusical Check out Slam Frank The Musical's website: www.slamfrankmusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #272

  Ep272 - Antoine L. Smith, Swing on US National Tour 5 & Berry Gordy in MJ The Musical

  Sep 14, 202646 min

  “CATS really showed me how important it was to be a team player and how to take care of each other on stage and off stage as much as you can.” This episode features Antoine L. Smith who was a swing on the US. National Tour 5 of CATS. Hear Antoine discuss his lifelong connection to the show after watching the VHS daily in college and becoming inspired by Ken Page’s Old Deuteronomy. Antoine describes auditioning via open call, joining a brand-new tour cast, and the intense self-driven work required of swings, including felinity coaching and learning multiple tracks like Old Deuteronomy, Bustopher Jones, and Gus. He shares his character backstory for Old Deuteronomy, his belief that Deuteronomy always knows the Jellicle choice, and a memorable mid-show emergency where he had minutes to get into intricate makeup and costume. 00:50 First CATS Obsession 08:29 Old Deuteronomy Backstory 09:48 Jellicle Choice Theory 12:39 Importance of Swings 16:52 Tour Chaos 24:49 Discovering The Jellicle Ball 36:27 Rapid Fire Check out Antoine on Instagram: @antoinelsmith32 Check out MJ The Musical on Social Media: @mjthemusical Check out MJ The Musical's website: newyork.mjthemusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #271

  Ep271 - Jaydon Vijn, Rum Tum Tugger in 2026 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

  Sep 7, 202649 min

  “We have this system that every cat in the show is on a different life out of the nine lives which is a really interesting way of thinking about it.” This episode features Jaydon Vijn who is currently performing as Rum Tum Tugger in Drew McOnie’s reimagined production of CATS at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London. Jaydon shares his CATS fandom from dance college, why Tugger was always his dream role, and what the audition process revealed about the production’s choreography. He discusses how the revival feels like a fresh show while honoring the original, including storytelling focus, character “nine lives” backstories, and relationships onstage. Jaydon details Tugger’s dynamics with Bombalurina, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy, and a mentorship-style bond with Mistoffelees, plus his darker, more adult take on Tugger. An episode not to miss. 02:11 Rum Tum Tugger Dream Role 04:18 Reimagining a Classic 10:10 Building a Darker Tugger 11:44 Outdoor Theater Experiences 15:33 Costumes Makeup and New Look 17:44 Tugger’s Relationship Web 25:50 Favorite Show Moments 38:31 Rapid Fire Check out Jaydon on Instagram: @jay.vijn Check out CATS @ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre: openairtheatre.com/production/cats Check out the CATS UK Tour: uktour.catsthemusical.com Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #270

  Ep270 - Xavier Reyes, Jennyanydots in CATS: The Jellicle Ball

  Aug 31, 202652 min

  “The Haus of Dots has the best table at the Ball.” This episode features Xavier Reyes who played Jennyanydots in the Broadway production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Hear Xavier discuss his CATS history, from watching the DVD in Puerto Rico to auditioning for Skimbleshanks and ultimately booking Jennyanydots as a drag mother role. Xavier explains how he blended the original “Gumbie Cat” with extensive ballroom research, vogue classes, and collaboration with castmates, directors, and dramaturgy to marry ballroom and theater while honoring Cats lore. He describes shaping the Haus of Dots as a trophy-winning “empire,” building relationships and developing tension with Macavity via shared house backstory. Xavier reflects on audience reception at the PAC, the transfer to Broadway, improvisational audience interaction, celebrity judges, performing for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and favorite memories from the run. 03:11 Auditioning for Skimbleshanks & Jennyanydots 05:08 Building Jennyanydots 06:49 Researching Ballroom Motherhood 17:29 Haus of Dots 29:08 Broadway Debut 31:19 Audience Improv 40:42 Rapid Fire Check out Xavier on Instagram: @xavireyesactor Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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