In an exciting announcement from the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), the upcoming production of Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” is set to captivate audiences with a radical reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical. Inspired by the Ballroom culture that emerged from New York City over 50 years ago and continues to thrive globally, this production promises a spectacularly immersive experience like never before.
Led by Executive Director Khady Kamara Nunez and Artistic Director Bill Rauch, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” has unveiled its initial casting lineup, featuring a stellar company of artists whose talents have graced Broadway stages and illuminated New York’s Ballroom floors. The diverse and exceptional cast includes:
Baby (Victoria) two-time winner of Ballroom Women’s Performance of the Year award (Southeast Region); Jonathan Burke (Mungojerrie) from the Tony-winning company of The Inheritance; Emma Sofia Caymares (Skimbleshanks) from the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Tara Lashan Clinkscales (Ensemble) a recent Carnegie Mellon Drama graduate; André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy) Tony Award winner for Hadestown; Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger) from the original Broadway company of Hamilton; Antwayn Hopper (Macavity) from the Tony-winning company of A Strange Loop; Dava Huesca (Understudy) a dancer-performer and member of Dance Theater Company VIM VIGOR; Dudney Joseph Jr. (Munkustrap) a member of the Ballroom community since 2011; Capital Kaos (DJ) a renowned Ballroom DJ; Junior LaBeija (Gus) member of the iconic house of House of LaBeija and MC in the documentary “Paris is Burning;” Ballroom icon Dominique Lee (Understudy); Robert “Silk” Mason (Mistoffelees) the founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk; “Tempress” Chasity Moore (Grizabella) a Ballroom Icon and the founder and Queen Mother of the house of Maison Margiela; Shereen Pimentel (Jellylorum) from the Broadway revival of West Side Story; Primo (Tumblebrutus) longtime member of the Ballroom community; Nora Schell (Bustopher Jones) from Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill; Kendall G. Stroud (Understudy) a recent NYU Tisch Drama grad and member of the Ballroom community; Frank Viveros (Ensemble) from Broadway’s Camelot and Aladdin; Garnet Williams (Bombalurina) a national concert performer; and Teddy Wilson Jr. (Sillabub) a recent graduate from Penn State’s Musical Theater program. Additional casting will be announced soon
The production boasts an impressive creative team, including directors Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicken & Biscuits), the youngest Black director in Broadway history, and Bill Rauch, choreographers Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, and a lineup of designers and consultants dedicated to bringing this reimagined vision of Cats to life including:
Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Qween Jean (Costume Design), Adam Honoré (Lighting Design), Kai Harada (Sound Design), Brittany Bland (Projection Design), Nikiya Mathis (Hair/Wig Design), William Waldrop (Music Supervision and Music Direction), David Lai (Music Coordinator), Trevor Holder (Beats Arrangement), Capital Kaos (Ballroom Consultant), Josephine Kearns (Dramaturg & Gender Consultant), X Casting/ Victor Vazquez CSA, and Sujotta R. Pace CSA (Casting).
With all-new Ballroom and club beats, runway-ready choreography, and an edgy eleganza makeover, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” promises to be a celebration of joyous transformation and self-expression at the heart of both Cats and Ballroom culture itself.
Scheduled to begin performances on June 13, 2024, with opening night on June 20, 2024, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” will run through July 14, 2024, offering a limited engagement for audiences to experience this groundbreaking production. Presented by arrangement with The Really Useful Group, this reimagined take on Cats is set to redefine the boundaries of theatre and showcase the creativity and innovation within the industry.
From the visionary direction to the exceptional cast and creative team, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” promises an unforgettable theatrical experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of Black talent and the vibrant spirit of Ballroom culture. Audiences are invited to come together and witness the magic of this reimagined classic, where artistry and storytelling converge in a dynamic and immersive production unlike any other.
