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Betty Buckley Meets New Cats Stars Leona Lewis and Mamie Parris

Buckley originated the role of Grizabella on Broadway and won a Tony for her performance.

Original Broadway Grizabella Betty Buckley meets Cats revival star Leona Lewis and incoming cast member Mamie Parris.
Original Broadway Grizabella Betty Buckley (center) meets Cats revival star Leona Lewis (left) and incoming cast member Mamie Parris.
(© Allison Stock)

Betty Buckley, the original Tony-winning Grizabella of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, took in a performance of the new Broadway revival on Monday, September 26. Following the show, Buckley met up with current Grizabella, Leona Lewis, and incoming star Mamie Parris, at a party at the Palm restaurant. Lewis departs the production on October 9, with Parris to follow in the role in the coming weeks.

The musical's original West End and Broadway director Trevor Nunn helms the production, with choreography by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, and with associate direction by Lynne. The creative team for the new Broadway production includes sound design by Mick Potter, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and scenic and costume design by John Napier. The new Broadway revival celebrated its opening night on July 31 at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Cats star Leona Lewis meets original Broadway Grizabella Betty Buckley.
Cats star Leona Lewis meets original Broadway Grizabella Betty Buckley.
(© Allison Stock)

Composed by Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the original Broadway production of Cats opened in 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre. The production ran for a record-breaking 18 years and 7,485 performances and earned six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score.

The Cats principal company is led by Quentin Earl Darrington as Old Deuteronomy, Eloise Kropp as Jennyanydots/Gumbie, Ricky Ubeda as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Tyler Hanes as Rum Tum Tugger.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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