Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
All content for The Wrong Cat Died is the property of Broadway Podcast Network and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
Ep224 - Erik Simon, Macavity in 2025 Shawnee Playhouse Production of CATS
The Wrong Cat Died
58 minutes
2 months ago
Ep224 - Erik Simon, Macavity in 2025 Shawnee Playhouse Production of CATS
“I am barely five one. Macavity was not a role that I ever thought I would be in the running for because he's typically the tallest in the show but he doesn't have to be. He is the Napoleon of crime.” Join host Mike Abrams as he chats with Erik Simon, an actor with a deep history in the world of CATS. Erik recounts his journey from childhood fascination with T.S. Eliot’s poems and the original London cast recording, to experiencing the immersive Winter Garden Theater performance at a young age. Listen as Erik recalls his pivotal moments in high school’s first amateur CATS production in North America and his recent portrayal of Macavity in the Shawnee Playhouse's 2025 production. Discover Erik’s insights into character development, the shadow-casting of the 2019 CATS movie, and the enduring legacy of CATS in his life. This episode dives into fandom lore, unique staging choices, and personal anecdotes that show why CATS remains a beloved and complex piece of musical theater.
00:55 Erik's Early Fandom
07:43 High School Production of CATS
12:43 Shawnee Playhouse Production
17:17 Multi-Generational Cast Experience
19:26 Revisiting CATS After 20 Years
23:15 Shadow Casting the 2019 CATS Movie
31:59 Fandom Lore and Interpretations
40:13 Exploring Macavity's Character
47:47 Rapid Fire
Check out Erik on Instagram: @curiousbeasttm
Check out Shawnee Playhouse on Instagram: @theshawneeplayhouse
Check out Shawnee Playhouse's website: www.shawneeplayhouse.org
Produced by:
Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Wrong Cat Died
Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
