Cats Musical Goes Queer Ballroom on Broadway

A groundbreaking reimagining of the beloved musical 'Cats' is set to premiere on Broadway on April 7 at the Broadhurst Theater. This new production, titled 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball,' transforms Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic into a spectacular queer ballroom competition. The show, which previously debuted off-Broadway, explores the vibrant subculture of dance competitions, merging the original musical's essence with high-energy voguing and classical ballet.

André De Shields, an 80-year-old veteran actor, headlines the cast as Old Deuteronomy, the Master of Ceremonies. The production's co-directors, Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, aimed to creatively marry the worlds of musical theater and ballroom culture. Choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons have developed routines that pay homage to the original while introducing dynamic new movements reflective of ballroom artistry.

The staging itself embraces unconventional spaces, as demonstrated by a performance in the New York Times building's offices. This approach underscores the theme that 'balls can happen anywhere and everywhere,' drawing a parallel to the historical roots of ballroom culture in diverse venues. The creative team highlighted how the vibrant costumes, including a mix of tracksuits, colorful hats, and sleek bodysuits, created a powerful visual representation of queer Blackness.