Broadway legend André De Shields, formerly of Anais Mitchell’s Hadestown fame, is now reinvigorating Andrew Lloyd Webber’s eternal classic Cats, taking it to a new dimension of the Heaviside Layer.
The celebrated actor will soon receive the honor of Storyteller of the Year at the Moth Ball, an event by the Moth—a nonprofit dedicated to the art of storytelling. The ceremony is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, June 4th, at The Lighthouse on the Chelsea Piers. De Shields joins the likes of past celebrated winners such as Martin Scorsese and Salman Rushdie.
From storytelling excellence to musical extravaganza, De Shields will then take to the stage in Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a refreshed take on Lloyd Webber’s 1981 adaptation of T.S Eliot’s 1939 poetry anthology, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The show, opening June 13th at PAC NYC for a rumored one-month engagement with aspirations for Broadway, takes inspiration from New York City’s 1970s ballroom scene as documented in the film Paris Is Burning. Directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch have joined forces with choreographers Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles to create an immersive competition experience within the musical.
A self-professed “student of the Moth tradition,” De Shields embraced the ethos of sharing one’s personal journey after being inspired by Catherine Burns, the Moth’s artistic director. His celebrated role as Hermes in Hadestown, for which he won a Tony in 2019, showcased his narrative prowess, an integral skill in storytelling.
The Moth has been entertaining audiences with its NPR show The Moth Radio Hour, since 2009, along with live shows and a weekly podcast. It recently featured an evening at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where De Shields presented an intimate narrative about his sister Iris.
Intensive rehearsals are underway for the revolutionary revival of Cats, with De Shields at the helm as Old Deuteronomy. He is meticulously preparing to join the ranks of previous illustrious performers of the part, like Ken Page, with whom De Shields shared the stage in previous Broadway productions such as The Wiz and Ain’t Misbehavin’.
As anticipation grows for this innovative version of Cats, audiences can indulge in the beauty and complexity of the production, promising an experience that honors the past while embracing the vibrancy of the present.
FAQs
Who is André De Shields?
André De Shields is a Tony Award-winning actor known for his roles in Broadway shows like Hadestown and The Wiz.
What is ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’?
Cats: The Jellicle Ball is a reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, inspired by New York’s ballroom culture and poised to open at PAC NYC.
What makes the new production of ‘Cats’ different?
The new production of Cats incorporates elements of NYC’s ballroom culture from the ’70s, providing a unique, immersive experience.
When will ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ premiere?
The show is set to open on June 13th at PAC NYC and may potentially move to Broadway.
Where can I buy tickets for ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’?
Tickets can be purchased by visiting PAC NYC’s official website or directly at this link.