The Great White Way is about to experience a soulful resurgence. It has been confirmed that EGOT recipient John Legend and his longtime collaborator, Tony and Emmy-winning producer Mike Jackson, have joined the production team for the highly anticipated revival, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, under their Get Lifted Film Co. banner.
Scheduled to begin previews at the Broadhurst Theatre on Wednesday, March 18, before its official opening night on Tuesday, April 7, this ballroom-inspired reimagining marks Legend’s latest venture into the theatrical world. His last major stage milestone occurred in 2018, when he starred in and executive-produced the Emmy-winning Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert and earned a Tony nomination for his musical contributions to SpongeBob SquarePants.
“Cats stands as one of the most iconic pieces of musical theater history. What makes The Jellicle Ball so captivating is how it pays homage to that legacy while entirely reinventing the experience through the vibrant lens of ballroom culture,” Legend and Jackson shared in a joint statement. “The sheer artistry driving this production is remarkable. It takes a classic and injects it with a contemporary, celebratory energy that feels both fresh and essential.”
Legend and Jackson join an elite producing circle that includes Michael Harrison, Mike Bosner, Lena Waithe, and Cynthia Erivo. Erivo, currently making waves in London’s West End with her solo show Dracula, continues her prolific run following the massive success of the Wicked film adaptations.
Since its inception in 2012 alongside Ty Stiklorius, Get Lifted Film Co. has become a powerhouse in multi-platform storytelling. Named after Legend’s landmark debut album, the company has an impressive theatrical resume, including the 2017 revival of Jitney—which secured Legend’s first Tony—as well as Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations and Turn Me Loose. The firm is also currently developing a stage adaptation of Imitation of Life, featuring a score penned by Legend himself.
This revamped take on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats features a stellar cast led by the legendary André De Shields in the role of Old Deuteronomy. The production is co-directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, with choreography rooted in authentic NYC ballroom traditions by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons. Musical icon Andrew Lloyd Webber will oversee the production’s sonic elements.
In the four decades since its original West End debut, Cats has maintained an unshakable grip on pop culture, remaining the fifth longest-running Broadway production in history with over 7,000 performances. This latest iteration promises to bridge the gap between theatrical tradition and modern subcultural brilliance.
