An entirely convincing how-to guide in transforming (rescuing, even) well-trod, beloved material (and, yes, the musical that gave us “Memory” is beloved, every bit as much as it is mocked) into something bracing and resplendent, Cats: The Jellicle Ball is that rare thing: A classic stage property reimagined not as stark and gloomy minimalism (see Daniel Fish’s Oklahoma or Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Blvd.) but as a big, joyous glitter bomb.
Dressing up the “Now and Forever” Cats in the accoutrement of the Harlem queer ball scene celebrated in the documentary Paris Is Burning and reflected in every last sequin of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Cats: The Jellicle Ball opens at Broadway‘s Broadhurst Theatre tonight. Its reputation preceding heralded by an acclaimed, award-winning 2024 Off Broadway staging, Jellicle Ball is already packing the venue, and audience reaction at the reviewed performance – whoops and claps and the click-clacking of souvenir folding fans
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