More Theater Monday - Gotta Dance & Cats: The Jellicle Ball

We were given complimentary tickets to Gotta Dance for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Gotta Dance

Where: Stage 42

             422 W. 42nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 8 and Up

When: Through July 26, 2026

If you've never seen some of the most popular dances ever performed on stage as choreographed by some of the greatest choreographers who have ever lived, now is your chance. Gotta Dance is a compilation of celebrated choreographic numbers. All feature the staging of the original masters, including Jerome Robbins, Susan Stroman, and Gene Kelly among others. Dance numbers include "All I Need is the Girl" from Gypsy, "Sweet Georgie Brown" from Bubbling Brown Sugar, "The Music and the Mirror" from A Chorus Line, and many more.

Even with a running time of only about an hour and a half, the show still has a short intermission. This breaks things up nicely for anyone who would otherwise find it tedious to sit through a show with no plot. However, the entire show goes by in what feels like almost no time at all anyway.

Detailed projections before each number provide relevant details. These include song name, show title, choreographer's name, and sometimes a little background information about the show.  Thus, you never have to worry about racking your brain trying to figure out the details of a number. The same information, minus the show's background, plus additonal details is included in the playbill, in case you want to look it up later, but there's no need to try to unobtrusively scrounge for it in the dark. 

The entire show is a joy. The dances are incredible. It's a pleasure to have an opportunity to see these talented performers strut their stuff. Plus, the chance to see these iconic dance numbers performed live on stage is priceless

And that's our view. For more about Gotta Dance or to purchase tickets, visit gottadanceshow.com

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We received complimentary tickets to Cats: The Jellicle Ball for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Where: Broadhurst Theatre

             235 W. 44th St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

If the thought of grown humans frolicking around the stage in cat suits makes you cringe, you need not fear the latest incarnation of the musical Cats. There is nary a feline in sight in this renamed and restaged show now called Cats: The Jellicle Ball. The premise has been changed from a gaggle of cats competing to be reborn to a group of human beings competing in dance competitions. The show is based on the gay ballroom culture that was most prominent in the late 70s and early 80s and still exists to some extent today.

The costumes are even bolder and more colorful than in the original Cats. They are infinitely less cringeworthy, however. The set, on the other hand, is greatly toned down. It is much more minimalist, mostly consisting of a runway and a judging table. 

 

The songs remain largely the same as in the original version. A word or two may have been changed, and one or two may be missing, including "Growltiger's Last Stand." Although it may seem bizarre to hear these songs in this context, somehow it all works.

The show can be quite loud. The encouraged raucousness of the crowd adds to the decibel level. Expect to hear lots of loud cheering, shouting, and slapping around of fans. Apparently, this is all part of the dance culture from which the show came. If you have a problem with loud noises, you'll probably want to skip this show. However, if that doesn't bother you and you are interested in a jubilant, boisterous celebration of life and dance, you're going to love it. 

And that's our view. For more about Cats: The Jellicle Ball or to purchase tickets, visit catsthejellicleball.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits: 

All Gotta Dance production photos by Christopher Duggan

All Cats: The Jellicle Ball production photos 

by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Any Concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.