Theater News

Cats to Welcome School of Rock Veteran as New Grizabella

Leona Lewis will play her last performance in ”Cats” on October 9.

| Broadway |

September 22, 2016

Mamie Parris, who currently plays the role of Patty in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock, will assume the role of Grizabella in the new revival of Lloyd Webber's musical Cats in the coming weeks. She replaces pop star Leona Lewis, who departs the production on October 9.

Parris' Broadway credits also include On the Twentieth Century, Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, and The Drowsy Chaperone. An exact start date will be announced.

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.

Composed by Andrew 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.