Andrew Lloyd Webber's beloved feline musical has been given a radical, electrifying makeover. Cats: The Jellicle Ball, which has just opened at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, transplants the familiar story of Jellicle cats into the world of ballroom drag culture, and the result is one of the most talked-about theatrical events of the year. For anyone who thought they knew Cats, this revival is poised to change everything.
A Bold Reimagining of a Theatre Classic
Since its original London premiere in 1981, Cats has been one of the most iconic musicals in theatre history. The show, based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, invites audiences into a secret society of Jellicle cats who gather for a mystical ritual. One cat will be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be granted a new life. In every previous incarnation, from the legendary West End original to the 2019 film, this world has been portrayed through dancers in Lycra catsuits, performing balletic and jazz-inflected choreography.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball keeps the bones of the story intact but reimagines its setting entirely. Instead of a junkyard filled with costumed dancers, we are transported into the world of a New York ballroom competition. The Jellicle cats are now queer Black and brown New Yorkers competing across drag ball categories including "Realness," "Body," and "Runway." The grand prize remains a trip to the Heaviside Layer and a chance at rebirth. It is a concept that sounds audacious on paper but, by all accounts, works brilliantly in execution.
The Cast Delivers Showstopping Performances
At the heart of the production is "Tempress" Chasity Moore as Grizabella, the mother of the House of Glamour. In the original musical, Grizabella is the outcast glamour cat who has seen better days. Here, she enters pushing a collapsible shopping cart, her makeup clownishly applied, shunned by the other competitors. Only Sillabub, played by Teddy Wilson Jr in what is being described as a deeply moving turn, sees the great queen hiding beneath the surface.
André De Shields, the Tony Award-winning legend now 80 years old, brings extraordinary charisma to the role of Old Deuteronomy, the Jellicle leader and presiding figure of the ball. Reports from the Broadhurst suggest that De Shields, remarkably, twerks his way through a six-minute dance break, proving that theatrical star power is entirely ageless.
The supporting cast is equally formidable. Sydney James Harcourt brings an unprecedented level of sex appeal to the Rum Tum Tugger, while Nora Schell as Bustopher Jones has been singled out as the life of the party, easily claiming victory in the "Body" category. Robert "Silk" Mason's Magical Mister Mistoffelees delivers a jaw-dropping display of flexibility and athleticism that reviewers say defies the known limits of human anatomy. Meanwhile, Leiomy, appearing as the sticky-fingered Macavity, brings genuine danger and fun to the "Labels" category.
Dudney Joseph Jr commands the stage as Munkstrap, reimagined here as the ball's emcee and arguably the greatest MC in all of New York. Jonathan Burke and Dava Huesca provide memorable comic relief as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, complete with outsize Jersey accents. And Xavier Reyes as Jennyanydots gives full "Mommy Warbucks" energy, beaming with pride as House of Dots members compete.
"Memory" Finds New Meaning
No discussion of Cats is complete without addressing its signature number. "Memory," the power ballad that became a global hit for artists from Elaine Paige to Barbra Streisand, has been performed thousands of times by some of the world's greatest vocalists. Moore's version is described not as the most technically powerful rendition, but as perhaps the most emotionally sincere. Her delivery, rooted in a longing for lost days and a stubborn refusal to abandon hope, has been landing with extraordinary impact on audiences.
Critics have noted that in the context of this production, "Memory" takes on additional layers of meaning. Sung by a queer person of colour in a ballroom setting, the song becomes an anthem of resilience and survival. The message is simple and devastating: you keep going.
From Off-Broadway Sensation to Broadway Phenomenon
The production's journey to Broadway has been its own kind of Cinderella story. Cats: The Jellicle Ball originated in a 2024 run at PAC NYC (the Perelman Performing Arts Center), where it generated enormous buzz and critical acclaim. Directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch have successfully transferred the production's raw energy and creative ambition to the larger Broadway stage without losing any of its intimacy or urgency.
The choreography by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons is central to the production's success. Rooted in authentic ballroom vocabulary, including voguing, duck-walking, and death drops, the movement language replaces the original's jazz-ballet style with something that feels both culturally specific and universally thrilling. Nikiya Mathis's hair design has also been praised as consistently setting the standard, with one tiger-stripe wig on Sofia's Skimbleshanks earning particular admiration.
Celebrity guest judges appear at each performance, occupying judging positions alongside Old Deuteronomy. This element brings a touch of genuine unpredictability to every show, reinforcing the live competition atmosphere.
Why This Revival Matters
Cats has always been a divisive musical. Adored by millions of theatregoers worldwide, it has also been mocked for its loose narrative structure and abstract concept. The 2019 film, with its uncanny visual effects, became a cultural punchline. Against this backdrop, the idea of reviving Cats on Broadway might have seemed commercially risky.
But Cats: The Jellicle Ball has turned that risk into triumph by recognising something fundamental about the source material. Lloyd Webber and original director Trevor Nunn always intended the musical as a celebration of community, identity, and the desire to be truly seen. Ballroom culture, which emerged from Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities in New York, is built on precisely the same foundations. The marriage of these two worlds is not a gimmick; it is an act of genuine artistic insight.
The revival also demonstrates the continuing vitality of Andrew Lloyd Webber's score. Stripped of the familiar staging and costumes, the music reveals its enduring emotional power. Songs like "Memory," "Macavity," and "Mr Mistoffelees" feel revitalised in this new context, their melodies providing the connective tissue for a radically different visual and cultural experience.
What This Means for Theatre Fans
Cats: The Jellicle Ball is currently playing on Broadway, and for UK theatre fans, it represents one of the most compelling reasons to plan a trip to New York. Whether a West End transfer could eventually materialise remains to be seen, but the production's success is likely to generate significant interest from London producers.
For those who love the original Cats, this revival offers a chance to experience the musical through entirely fresh eyes. For newcomers, it provides an accessible and exhilarating entry point into a show that has sometimes felt impenetrable. And for fans of ballroom culture who may never have considered attending a musical, it extends a genuine and joyful invitation.
The production serves as a powerful reminder that great musicals can be endlessly reinterpreted, and that the best revivals do not simply recreate the past but find new truths within familiar material.
Looking for your next unforgettable theatre experience? Browse our full list of London shows currently booking, or explore the best musicals playing in the West End right now.
Susan Novak has a lifelong passion for theatre. With a degree in English, she brings a deep appreciation for storytelling and drama to her writing. She also loves reading and poetry. When not attending shows, Susan enjoys exploring new work and sharing her enthusiasm for the performing arts, aiming to inspire others to experience the magic of theatre.
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