Spend a double show day with Broadway’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical Cats at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Hey, Playbill. I'm Andy Huntington Jones and I haven't had any coffee. Before...
...and after. Ready for a two-show day. As a cat.
I make sure to research the previous Playbill two-show day albums. Here, Ashley Park teaches me not to take a picture with my nedi pot.
Waiting for the my train in Queens. I filtered the crap out of this picture, but if you look closely you can see Manhattan steaming in the background.
I stop at the gym on the way to the theatre for a quick warm up and to seem super active and healthy for my Playbill feature.
Here I am warming up my shoulders. Light weight before two shows, people!
After spending my entire 30 minutes at the gym googling pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I make it to 52nd street.
Our endless staircase to the dressing rooms is plastered with Opening Night greetings from every Broadway company.
It begins...
It continues...
It is complete. It takes about 20 minutes for me to do my makeup. Another 5 to arrange this double-mirror pic.
After a last minute illness (and absence) of a cast member, our amazing resident choreographer, Kim Craven, holds a quick spacing rehearsal onstage before our swings save the day.
Matt Armentrout, our Assistant Hair Supervisor, puts on my wig...
...and I return the favor. Doesn't Matt seem pleased with my work?
In a pop-up studio in the theatre basement, Lisa Zinni and Abby Hahn document the original cast in costume for the wardrobe 'bible' to ensure continuity for the run of the show.
I am a moving target for my mini photo shoot.
Warming up for show number 1 with Tyler Hanes, Daniel Gaymon, and Ricky Ubeda.
Headed to our dressing rooms in the elevator at the end of act one. Ever felt vulnerable in a cramped elevator? Try it in a unitard. Dressed as a cat.
At the top of act two I enter from the back of the audience with Christine Cornish Smith. Christine is already in character once we hit the lower lobby on the way to the house.
Victoria Tinsman, our Hair Supervisor grooms Tyler Hanes mid-show.
We spend our evening onstage, so when we have a second to breathe, the staircase is the closest seat.
Thoroughly beat up after show number one.
Mid-cleanup looking like a coal miner and thrilled about it.
Jeremy Davis (Skimbleshanks) and I roll out after every show. Our 'recovery' snacks of choice are peanut butter and chocolate milk.
My dressing roommate Christopher Gurr (Bustopher/Gus) gets in on the post-show foam rolling action.
Stage door!
I meet up with my wife, Audrey Cardwell, for a balanced meal between shows. Food is fuel!
Christopher Gurr is ready for show number 2. Last show before a day off!
The theatre is kept cold for the audience, which means you see a lot of cats in warm-up gear backstage. Here we have Corey John Snide with a sensible puffer vest. In August.
Our phenomenal swings, understudies, and BOOTH SINGERS.
Aaron J. Albano throws a warning glance as I take a picture of the "use of cell phones not allowed" sign.
Victoria and I try to be productive during my "Macavity" break. It usually involves sitting but there was a camera so we sucked it up and planked.
Jess LeProtto's backstage tail-guitar solo was especially gnarly in celebration of the last show of the week.
Back in the dressing room post show with my wife and Gurr. Audrey is finally learning where to look for iPhone selfies.
A Saturday Night On Broadway Party to celebrate surviving 14 shows in a row. Come visit us at the Neil Simon Theatre on 52nd Street!
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