How "Cats" was reborn as a Jellicle Ballroom hit

One of the biggest stage hits of the year in New York City has been “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” which reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical as a ballroom competition. And there are no cats!

In this episode, we talked to the show’s directors, Bill Rauch (who is also the artistic director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center, which originated the production) and Zhailon Livingston about what “Cats” means to them, how they approached the staging, their hopes for its future life — and what Lord Andrew thought of their take. Even if you think you don’t like “Cats,” you’ll want to listen to this one.

Wait, is it Lord or Sir Andrew? Elisabeth got it wrong, of course. We thought about saving her mistake for a special bloopers episode, but no, here it is.

Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music.