BroadwayRadio – This Week on Broadway for April 12, 2026: Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Episode Overview This episode of BroadwayRadio's "This Week on Broadway" brings together host James Marino and panelists Peter Filichia, Michael Portantiere, and Carrie Purcell to review a packed slate of recent Broadway openings. The episode’s main focus is a deep dive into "Cats: The Jellicle Ball," the acclaimed ballroom culture reimagining of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, now at the Broadhurst Theatre. The team also discusses "Becky Shaw," "Titanique," the latest "Death of a Salesman," "Giant," "Dog Day Afternoon," and more, providing candid critical analysis and sharing notable moments and memorable quotes throughout the show.

Panel Introduction & Episode Context

• James Marino (Host): Kicks off the review marathon, highlights the abundance of current Broadway openings all happening within a short spring window, and congratulates the panel for keeping up with the packed schedule.
• Peter Filichia: Playwright, journalist, historian, and author of the "Day by Day Desk Calendar: A Show Tune for Today."
• Michael Portantiere: Longtime theater journalist and editor, cabaret reviewer, and director.
• Carrie Purcell: Theater/feminism/healthcare writer (NYT, Vogue, Vanity Fair), editor, and author of "From Afroben to Fun Home."

Notable quote:

“We are smack in the middle of the marathon...my hat's off to the three of you because I’m not doing it!” — James Marino (05:20)

Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst Theatre)

In-depth segment begins at [07:11]

Concept & Reimagining

• Michael describes initial skepticism:

  “When I first heard of the concept, I thought, that is the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard...famous last words. This is...a reimagining of Cats set in the world of ballroom culture as depicted...in Paris Is Burning.” (07:20)

• The score and lyrics remain almost entirely intact save for a minor pronoun tweak; the transformation is in the show’s context and aesthetics.

Staging & Audience Experience

• Concern about the impact of a shorter runway than the Off-Broadway production; ultimately, the energy is undiminished:

  “Certainly, the audience response was ecstatic. Audience response is greatly, greatly encouraged—some might say a little too aggressively...for this type of show, it's important for the audience to root for the various contestants.” — Michael (08:40)

• Direction by Zylon Livingston & Bill Rauch; choreography by Omari Wiles & Artrul Lyons.

• Stand-out performances:

  • Andre De Shields as Old Deuteronomy
  • Sidney James Harcourt as Rum Tum Tugger
  • Temperance Chastity Moore as Grizabella

• Michael highlights a nuanced new arc for Grizabella:

  “When Grizabella first came on, you just sort of reacted to her as if she was this...crazy, maybe homeless lady...very lighthearted. That gave her character much more of an arc than it usually has…” (11:20)

Critical Reactions

• Peter recounts Cats’ reputation as a Broadway punchline, surprised by its renewed vitality:

  “If I had to judge the top 10 audience reactions...I dare say this would be in it. The audience was just with it from the first second.” (13:00)
  Praises the “terrific work by Andrew Lloyd Webber” and production’s “wonderful costumes, lighting, and stage pictures,” though admits to still struggling with the show’s deeper meaning in this new form.

• Carrie offers a heartfelt, nostalgic take:

  “By intermission my face hurt from smiling so much...this amazing, joyful celebration of a community of people just enjoying being themselves and their extraordinary style and talent...To me, it was the ballroom community using the songs of Cats to tell their stories.” (16:05)

  • Applauds the cast, especially Junior LaBeija as Gus and Emma Sophia as Skimbleshanks.
  • Observes the transformation of Grizabella, ultimately questioning her “ascension” since “she looked amazing” at the end:

    “I thought she looked pretty good. I didn't really see why she had to ascend to the Heaviside Layer...” (18:00)

  • Hopes more people will watch "Paris Is Burning" after this show.

• Peter adds historical perspective, referencing original "Cats" reactions and opines that this revival “fills the Broadhurst with joy, style, and music. I don’t think it’ll run as long as the original, but I didn’t think it would get this far.”

• Collective Praise: Costumes, wigs, lighting, and choreography receive universal acclaim.

Memorable Quotations

• “What a celebration of joy. And I think we all need that right now.” — Carrie (18:51)
• “I never expected anything like this to happen.” — Peter (13:00)
• “I loved it on Broadway as much as I loved it off Broadway. Highly recommend it.” — Michael (11:48)

Other Broadway Openings: Key Insights

Becky Shaw (Hayes Theater)

[20:59–33:06]

• Peter: “Group of nasty people...I didn’t really tie into it at all. But the audience really loved every snarky quip, every insult...” (23:29)
• Carrie: “Becky is not naïve; she’s a manipulator...It was very effective in showing this kind of chain of catastrophe that unfolds from one bad first date.” (24:20)
• Michael: “Very funny...can be funny to watch people be really nasty and sarcastic to each other when it’s not real life...A character study in how people push each other’s buttons and fail miserably.” (28:48)

Titanique (St. James Theatre)

[36:09–44:04]

• Carrie: “Just joyful, unapologetically joyful...It celebrates its source in every way...Deborah Cox and Melissa Barrera’s duet a highlight.” (36:09)
• Peter: “Silly, occasionally in dubious taste...But if you like really silly stuff, you’re going to have a terrific time.” (40:16)
• Special mention: Jim Parsons as Rose’s mother, Leighton Williams as the Iceberg (“River Deep, Mountain High”).

1776 (Paper Mill Playhouse)

[44:44–52:33]

• Michael: “A really solid, traditional production...praise for performances, especially Praise Oranica as the Courier—‘Mama Look Sharp’ brought me to tears.” (45:15)
• Interesting directorial/staging decisions described.

Death of a Salesman (Winter Garden Theatre)

[53:08–59:37]

• Peter: “Nathan Lane is truly magnificent...Laurie Metcalf is extraordinary. Despite the Winter Garden’s size, this play fills the stage.” (53:08)
• “An impressive, galvanizing production—expect Tony buzz for Lane and Metcalf.”

Giant (Music Box Theatre)

[59:56–66:50]

• Carrie: “Wonderfully uncomfortable...John Lithgow is fantastic as Roald Dahl, a season rich in leading men...Not fun, but vital and necessary.” (59:56)
• Michael: “Lithgow’s likability makes watching him as Dahl more complex. Play is overstuffed, best moment is Dahl’s disastrous interview at the end.” (61:53)

Dog Day Afternoon (August Wilson Theatre)

[67:08–70:51]

• Carrie: “Incredibly unnecessary adaptation...felt like a ‘cheesy 90s sitcom’. Women’s roles were reductive...The set was really good, but I do not understand why this was done.” (67:08)

Bonus Segments

Tony Awards Host Announcement

[71:12–75:22]

• Pink announced as upcoming Tony Awards host.
• Mixed panel reaction: Skepticism whether a celebrity host will boost ratings (“I don’t think it’s going to make a scintilla of a difference in the ratings”—Peter, 72:10), nostalgia for past hosts, and discussion of the Tonys as a showcase for Broadway.

Podcast Closing Note

• Musical moment: Excerpt from the teaser video of "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" cited for its adaptation of the original orchestrations to a ballroom context. Costume and wig design publicly lauded.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “My face hurt from smiling so much.” — Carrie on Cats ([16:05])
• “It was one of the best scores Andrew Lloyd Webber has written.” — Peter on Cats ([13:45])
• “By intermission, I realized I still remember most of the words, a blessing and a curse.” — Carrie ([16:08])
• “If I had to judge the top 10 audience reactions that I’ve ever experienced in a theater, I dare say this would be in it.” — Peter on Cats ([13:00])
• “Becky is not some naive lost woman; she’s a skillful manipulator.” — Carrie on Becky Shaw ([24:20])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:11] – Cats: The Jellicle Ball (main discussion)
• [20:59] – Becky Shaw
• [36:09] – Titanique
• [44:44] – 1776 at Paper Mill Playhouse
• [53:08] – Death of a Salesman
• [59:56] – Giant
• [67:08] – Dog Day Afternoon
• [71:12] – Tony Awards host (Pink) discussion
• [78:44] – Musical Moment from Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Takeaway

This week’s episode is a celebration of the diversity and experimental vibrancy on Broadway this spring—from exuberant ballroom cats claiming the Broadhurst to the melancholic power of Death of a Salesman, the acid comedy of Becky Shaw, and the loving spoof of Titanique. The panel’s trademark warmth, wit, and candor make this essential listening for any theater lover—especially those eager to understand why “theatre marathons” are a springtime tradition on Broadway.

For full show links and more information, check the show notes at broadwayradio.com.