ABOUT THIS EPISODE
“Gillian Lynne’’s version of CATS is very much a ballet. So if you really pay attention to her choreography, you see so many connections of why different cats respond differently to each other.” This episode features Mark van Beelen, who played Mungojerrie and covered Munkustrap in the 2006 Dutch tour of CATS. Mark recalls seeing CATS at age 10 at Amsterdam’s Royal Theatre Carré in an immersive, in-the-round setup that sparked his musical-theater passion, then traces his training at Fontys Dance Academy and learning Cats choreography from original Dutch cast creatives. He shares a standout audition story where he was nearly forgotten for final callbacks, then impressed the team by adapting to a revised Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer song version. The conversation explores CATS’’ evolving choreography, music revisions, and modern licensing that encourages new concepts, including opinions on the 2016 Broadway revival and anticipation for a museum-themed Netherlands production.
00:49 Seeing CATS As A Kid
10:04 Audition Chaos and Callback
14:20 Song Variations
21:23 Why CATS Gets Reimagined
33:22 Building Characters in Rehearsal
39:36 Macavity Scare Story
41:00 Tradition vs New Versions
45:28 Rapid Fire
- Check out Mark on Instagram: @badass.vegan.unicorn
Produced by:
Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
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