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Broadway's Cats Revamped as Drag Competition, Critics Applaud

4/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Cats: The Jellicle Ball opened at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, reimagining the musical as a drag competition.
The revival is directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch.
The production retains familiar songs while infusing them with contemporary beats and choreography.
Critics praise André De Shields as Old Deuteronomy and Chasity Moore as Grizabella, whose emotional rendition of 'Memory' resonates.

History

Historical Context

The original "Cats" musical premiered in 1981, based on T.S. Eliot's 1939 poetry collection. It became a cultural landmark, running for 18 years on Broadway. The current revival, directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, reinterprets the classic as a drag competition, reflecting contemporary discussions on gender and inclusivity in the arts, and emphasizing the importance of representation in theater.

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Story summary

Cats: The Jellicle Ball opened at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, reimagining the musical as a drag competition.
The revival is directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch.
The production retains familiar songs while infusing them with contemporary beats and choreography.
Critics praise André De Shields as Old Deuteronomy and Chasity Moore as Grizabella, whose emotional rendition of 'Memory' resonates.

1 / 2