The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball | Cats the Musical

Watch a performance of The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball.

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Lyrics:
The young and innocent white cat Victoria performs a solo
dance. Munkustrap, a large grey tabby who serves as the show's
narrator, explains that the Jellicle Cats meet once a year to
rejoice! He also explains that they are waiting for their leader,
the wise Old Deuteronomy, who will choose which one of the
Jellicle Cats will this year journey to the Heaviside Layer to be
reborn to a new life!

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About:
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is set amongst a larger- than-life junkyard playground and is alive with our favourite feline characters including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks.

The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year – the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

[callofabyss]

Reasons this is one of my favorite parts: Misto. Sings. A Solo.
Period.

[sfaira]

Everyone is here for Misto and I'm watching it with absolute love for Munkustrap. I love how all the cats come to greet him, he is their good leader.

[FritoBanditoify]

Okay so I have a theory.. I’ve been reading about several reasons why we have all these introductions and performances for specific cats. The movie makes it seem like the Jellicle cats are competing to be the Jellicle Choice. And I’ve read online that in the musical, the cats are putting on a performance for Old Deuteronomy. But from what the cats are saying and singing, it seems clear to me that the cats are simply wondering which cat will be the choice, not competing or putting on a show. Munk boi literally says “Jellicles ask because Jellicles dare: who will it be?” and then he goes into “I’ve got a cat in mind” and starts singing about Jennyanydots. It would explain why the cats are singing and describing other cats and not themselves. They’re just curious cats sharing their thoughts on who will be the Choice, like we would share our thoughts on which celeb would win some award show prize.

[lubystkaolamonola]

The actor playing Mistofeeles is amazing. He acts and moves like real cat, even has a voice that suits the cat. He will be the proper illustration of how a werecat should look like. When I observe him, I picture the specific real cat, real animal, and this is quite achievement with the costume and his role playing. AMAZING.

[EthalaRide]

Cats is a Musical, but it really does read and behave like a Ballet with lyrics. Most ballets can be pretty thin on plot or why/how something happens. Like things are pretty straight forward but are also vague. "Why did A lead to B?" "Because." "... okay..."

[pinkplatypusprincess]

If you dont have a crush on at least 3 of the cats im so surprised-

Mine: Munkustrap, Mungojerrie, RTT and mr mistoffelees.

[theprancingpony]

I would love to play a character in Cats but just dance and jump off things the entire time.

[kittiecandy]

absolutely love how the queen kittens all have a 'hero crush' on munkus and he entertains and takes care of them all

[mariposa]

the interactions between Munkustrap and the rest of the cats are my favorites- you have him greeting Jemima, who he obviously has a fatherly connection with, as well as the other kittens, and the older cats, and the way he greets Demeter just makes my heart MELT
it really shows that this cast obviously knew what they were doing in terms of their acting, especially with their interactions throughout the show
ALSO OH MY GOSH I LOVE JACOB BRENT WITH MY ENTIRE HEART

[chloepreston]

Mistoffeles' voice always gets me dammit

[mikeyjamieson]

1:32 I love how it's all serious and dramatic, then Munk's like "HUGS!"

[SW-zcdb]

See how Victoria's slik-white! The film had her speckled like a lynx or something!!

[Elnont]

The actor who plays Munkustrap achieves the feline movement so perfectly it’s insane.

[陳逸文-re]

I really wish Misto could sing more. Jacob Brent's voice is adorable!!!

[aswarmofcrabs]

They really do move like cats. No cgi required. It's quite beautiful to look at, in a way

[noxluxe]

Love Misto's and Victoria's parallel dance, especially because it's not clear which of them it's coming from. Whether she's instinctively picking up on his special ritual invitation dance and mirroring him, or he's perfectly copying her graceful steps while at the same time announcing the ball.

[sophieb]

When I was younger I legit had a crush on Munkustrap 😑

[AnamFatima]

I love how Jemima shyly gets Munk's attention at the end. Just a gentle pat, espiacially in comparison to the much more animated Electra and Etcetera.

[AngelWings]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is one of the only times we see Victoria smile during the film.

[jonquilgemstone]

Munk might be my favorite cat. He just keeps everything together, and you can tell he loves his Jellicle clan ^^