“Cats: The Jellicle Ball” may not be everyone’s saucer of milk, but it is the kind of show that could bring generations together.
Using Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical as its base, directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch introduce audiences to the ballroom scene. In their world, there’s a competition (just as there is in the original “Cats”), but here there are subcategories and a panel of judges to chop the less-than-purrfect performers.
From top: Macavity (Leiomy), Etcetera (Kya Azeen) and Rumpleteazer (Dava Huesca) in "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" on Broadway.
It’s an interesting conceit that would make traditionalists accepting of non-traditional behavior but some audiences bail before the fan snapping begins.
In the midst of choosing one to tower (that’s the way it was in the 1980s “Cats”), we learn about ballroom culture and get a slideshow of sorts to see how far the Harlem-born ballroom scene has come.
Clearly, the talent is here. The songs are beautifully sung, the dances are awe-inspiring and the costumes could only be done by someone who cares.
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Munkustrap (Dudney Joseph Jr.) serves as the master of ceremonies and introduces each of the contenders. Sydney James Harcourt (as Rum Tum Tugger) is an early standout; Robert “Silk” Mason (as Mister Mistoffelees) is, too. The heart-tuggers, though, are the veterans. Andre De Shields (who’s nominated for a Tony) gets thunderous applause as Old Deuteronomy, the Jellicle leader, and Junior Labeija, a ballroom veteran and M.C. in the film, “Paris is Burning,” provides context as Gus, the theatrical cat.
André De Shields as Old Deuteronomy in "Cats: The Jellicle Ball."
Roll their presence in with the rumbling, tumbling others, and it’s a show unlike others: Broadway meets Ballroom.
While the seams in Lloyd Webber’s original do show here, the re-imagination is impeccable and makes you think what could happen to other high-concept originals.
Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, was better served by the original concept, but Emma Sofia finds the necessary vibe and runs with it.
Other “segments” run hot and cold (including Grizabella’s appearance), but “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” is such an unusual take, it has to be the most inventive musical revival of the last decade. It’s that surprising.
