'Ballroom Is Theatrical': The Cast of Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Why Felines and Voguing Go Together

The unique take on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical is running at the Broadhurst Theatre.

March 18, 2026 By Diep Tran, Jeffrey Vizcaíno

Ken Ard was in the original company of Cats, where he played Plato, Macavity, and Rumpus Cat. Now 45 years later, he has returned for the Broadway revival of Cats. "Yes people, I am 65 years old," he says with pride. Except this one is not like the Cats we all know and love. Gone are the whisker make-up, furry headpieces, leg-warmers, and tails. In are voguing, queens, death drops, and luxurious wigs. Because the Broadway revival of Cats is set in the world of Ballroom.

Which fits, says Ard, who saw the revival when it was performed last year Off-Broadway: "They actually made a story where one didn't exist before and created this cultural phenomenon." In the revival, Ard plays an entirely new role, DJ Griddlebone, who oversees the music for the Ballroom competition for this revival—which sees queer performers competing to be the Jellicle Choice, which in this instance is the queen of the ball. In this competition, it's not about felines with interesting names; it's about people who are invisible in their daily lives. At this ball, they are able, through ferocious dancing and fierce costumes, to showcase themselves in all of their beauty and uniqueness.

"We have so many shows on TV that were about Ballroom, but this one is special," says Leiomy, who plays Macavity in the revival. "Ballroom is theatrical. When we go out there every single time, we're putting on a character with our costumes and our effects, and we're bringing those things to life." The much-anticipated revival, now in previews at the Broadhurst, is bringing together musical theatre actors and Ballroom performers; many of the Ballroom dancers are making their Broadway debuts.

Video: André De Shields Began His New York Stage Career as a Cat Sitter; Now He's in Cats

"Tempress" Chasity Moore is a Ballroom icon making her Broadway debut belting the iconic "Memory." She sees this version of Cats as a tribute to the world of Ballroom: "I think it's a celebration; I think that art is a form of activism. Especially in these times where they are trying to villainize us… To come from a community that has been so disenfranchised and able to make things out of nothing, we are representing for those people in Ballroom."

See the performers, as well as the show's directors and choreographers, discuss the cultural significance of this new revival with Playbill's Jeffrey Vizcaíno in the video above.