In this nine-time 2026 Tony Award–nominated (with three exceptional wins) revival, Cats: The Jellicle Ball is a completely different universe full of O-P-U-L-E-N-C-E. Forget the junkyard, the spandex leg warmers, and the literal fur; this massively fierce Broadway production relocates the entire iconic score straight into the legendary runways of the iconic New York City Ballroom scene. And whether you’re a die-hard theatre fan, a proud member of the family, or someone who appreciates a flawless fan clack, it is everything. Here are five reasons I loved (and you absolutely cannot miss) Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre.
1. The plot makes sense.
In being honest with myself, the original narrative of Cats is a bit of a fever dream. But with Tony Award-winning directors Zhailon Levingston and Ball Rauch framing the choice for who goes to the “Heaviside Layer” as the ultimate grand prize at a major Ball, the stakes suddenly become incredibly real. It transforms the evening from fantasy into a deeply moving, human quest for visibility, survival, and ultimate validation—right on a Broadway stage.
To learn more about the Ballroom, scene, watch our video special ‘Ballroom Is Theatrical’: The Cast of Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Why Felines and Voguing Go Together.
Robert Silk Mason in Cats: The Jellicle Ball
(Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
2. A ‘Category’ of Its Own: High-Ferocity and Face-Giving Choreography
If you’re tired of standard Broadway choreography, this is your antidote. And by antidote, I mean, I could not stop screaming praise for what my eyes and heart witnessed. The Broadhurst’s stage is overflowing with jaw-dropping voguing, floor performance, and death-drops that will literally have you shouting and clacking your fan. The energy in the theatre is electric, with the crowd playing an important part in the liveliness of the space! A massive, interactive celebration, Tony Award-winning choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons have created a defining experience where the audience is actively encouraged to bring the hype, and glam (and fans). Plus, you never know who the surprise guest Ball judges will be at the show you attend!
3. Vocals. For. Days.
The talent assembled for this Broadway cast is an absolute firestorm of ferocity (in the best way possible). The production brings together an unbelievable mix of opera powerhouses, R&B vocalists, and literal ballroom icons who take Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic melodies and completely reinvent them. When “Memory” drops, it’s stripped of all its usual musical theatre camp and delivers to the audience a raw, weary, and gorgeous sincerity that leaves the entire theatre in tears. And let’s not forget some of the smoothest vocals on Broadway from Mr. “Tugger” himself, Sydney James Harcourt.
Sydney James Harcourt in Cats: The Jellicle Ball
(Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
4. Runway Eleganza-Serving-Club Intimacy
The staging completely discards the traditional proscenium barrier in favor of a massive runway catwalk that thrusts right into the center of the action. And wow, does it WERK. Also, the costumes, created by Tony Award-winning designer Qween Jean, are pure, runway-ready fashion. Because the design brings you right up to the edge of the runway, you feel every ounce of the passion, heat, and glamour. It feels less like a commercial spectacle and more like a tight-knit, exclusive community gathering.
WATCH: Qween Jean’s Historic Tony Win Is ‘A Fist in the Fight’ for Trans Rights
5. A Gorgeous Love Letter to Chosen Family
At its absolute core, this revival is a breathtaking tribute to queer history and the beautiful sanctuaries built by the pioneers of the Ballroom scene. Seeing legendary notables like Ballroom elder Junior LaBeija and Tony-winning Broadway icon André De Shields walk the Broadway runway alongside fierce younger talent brings a beautiful, intergenerational warmth to the stage. This revival has turned a show about felines into a profound, tear-jerking celebration of identity, resilience, and finding the people who love you exactly as you are. And as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I felt seen, heard, loved, and celebrated the entire time.
Whether you walk into the theatre as a seasoned Broadway traditionalist or a ballroom devotee looking for your community on the mainstage, Cats: The Jellicle Ball reminds us exactly what theatre is supposed to do: make us feel alive. It’s loud, it’s proud, and a breathtaking reminder that the spaces we build to protect and celebrate one another are nothing short of sacred.
I have to go back and see this again, and I know you too will feel the same. Grab your tickets, bring your finest energy, and get ready to witness a theatrical rebirth that you will be shouting about long after you leave the Broadhurst!
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