Ep265 - Bebe Nicole Simpson, Demeter in CATS: The Jellicle Ball

“In ballroom, femininity in particular is embraced. It really shifted my perspective on things.” This episode features Bebe Nicole Simpson who is performing as Demeter in Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Bebe discusses the show’s early closing, her late introduction to CATS, and how she researched Demeter’s traditionally darker Macavity backstory before adapting it to this production’s “House mother” Macavity. Bebe compares lore variations across CATS productions, including shifting relationships and new theories in The Jellicle Ball, and talks about the move from The PAC to the Broadhurst, where staging and audience sightlines changed performance choices. Bebe shares a unique perspective on how ballroom helped her embrace femininity and body image. An episode you won’t want to miss.

02:46 Demeter and Macavity Lore

13:09 PAC to Broadway Transition

19:33 Learning Ballroom Culture

26:09 Walking Categories and Body

27:43 Costume Confidence

30:37 Ballroom Body Positivity

31:26 Onstage Lore And Relationships

37:47 Improvised Comedy Bits

43:57 Rapid Fire

Check out Bebe on Instagram: @bebeeee_nicole

Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball

Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catsthejellicleball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices