André De Shields to star in reimagined Cats production

Broadway legend André De Shields is to take up a starring role in a reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats musical.

The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) will present Cats: The Jellicle Ball from 13 June – 14 July 2024.

Inspired by T S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical is set for a fresh and vibrant makeover inspired by the rich history of Ballroom culture in New York City, a movement that began over 50 years ago and continues to influence runways worldwide.

This groundbreaking version of Cats will blend the extraordinary talents of Broadway artists with stars from New York’s Ballroom floors.

The cast features notable names such as Baby, a two-time winner of the Ballroom Women’s Performance of the Year award in the Southeast Region, as Victoria, and Tony winner André De Shields (Hadestown) as Old Deuteronomy.

They will be joined by Jonathan Burke (The Inheritance) as Mungojerrie, Emma Sofia Caymares (Finding Neverland) as Skimbleshanks, Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton) as Rum Tum Tugger, Antwayn Hopper (A Strange Loop) as Macavity, Dudney Joseph Jr. as Munkustrap, Ballroom DJ Capital Kaos as DJ, Junior LaBeija (Paris is Burning) as Gus, Robert “Silk” Mason (founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk) as Mistoffelees, “Tempress” Chasity Moore (founder and Queen Mother of the house of Maison Margiela) as Grizabella, Shereen Pimentel (West Side Story) as Jellylorum, Primo as Tumblebrutus, Nora Schell (Jagged Little Pill) as Bustopher Jones, Garnet Williams as Bombalurina, and Teddy Wilson Jr. as Sillabub.

The ensemble includes Tara Lashan Clinkscales and Frank Viveros. Understudies include Dava Huesca, Kendall G. Stroud, and Dominique Lee.

Staged by director Zhailon Levingston (Chicken and Biscuits) and PAC NYC artistic director Bill Rauch, the show will feature choreography by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, scenic design by Rachel Hauck, and costume design by Qween Jean. The lighting will be designed by Adam Honoré, with sound by Kai Harada and projections by Brittany Bland.