All hail the queen? We’ve got royalty cats in this show? Sure! Why not? Jellicle Cats are a great many things…not the least of which are kings and queens!
Thank you so much for giving us some of your time. Why don’t you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats.
Ryann Reich: My name is Ryann Reich and I play Victoria.
Tell me a little bit about Victoria.
Ryann: Victoria is the white cat who during the Jellicle Ball has her awakening moment. She’s kind of curious. She’s just trying to find her way in the clowder.
How are you and Victoria similar and or different?
Ryann: I think she’s very shy. And she’s very nervous to approach people and try to figure out a crowd before she gets into it. I feel like that’s how I was before coming into this experience. I’m shy, I’m just trying to figure people out, but now that I’ve found my people I feel very comfortable with them. Just like Victoria.
Why did you want to come out and audition to be a part of Cats?
Ryann: I haven’t done a musical in a minute. And I knew I definitely wanted to do a show over the summer. And I’m a very dance-oriented person, so I figured I might as well audition for Cats and here I am!
Hooray! Now you said you are dance-oriented. Do you consider yourself to be a dancer?
Ryann: I started dancing when I was in fourth grade. I took two years of dance. My mom’s a dance teacher and she has definitely taught me a lot over the years.
That’s awesome. Now is this your first time working with Bambi? What has that been like?
Ryann: This is my first time working with her. She is so, so nice. She’s super understanding. I’ve definitely had my talks with her and she could tell that I was nervous but she’s so easy to come and talk to so it’s been super nice to get to work with her.
What does it mean to you to be a Jellicle Cat?
Ryann: I think to be a Jellicle Cat means you need to be able to embrace others around you. You need to be very accepting and loving towards others. Be one with the family.
Do you have any cats at home?
Ryann: I don’t. I have one dog. This experience honestly makes me want to get a cat, though. My dog is super sweet. She’s a puppy, and she’s definitely in that puppy-energy phase right now! Her name is Reessie. She’s a beagle. She howls. She barks. Very, very loud. I love her.
We know that cats have three names. The name that the humans call them or their daily use name, their more dignified name, and their third, secret name that we can never know. What do you think the humans are calling Victoria?
Ryann: I think they would call her fierce, curious, and kind of witty.
I’ll take it. What has been your biggest takeaway from this experience so far?
Ryann: My biggest takeaway is definitely getting stronger in the dance aspect. I started working on Cats as soon as I got the cast list and started training for this role. I feel like I’m going to come out as a stronger dancer and have more stamina.
If you had to sum up your experience here at Cockpit in Court with Bambi and Cats using just one word, which word would you use?
Ryann: Wild.
Cats plays July 19th 2024 through August 4th 2024 in the F. Scott Black Theatre of The Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center at the Community College of Baltimore County Essex Campus— 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Essex MD. For tickets call the box office at (443) 840-2787 or purchase them online.
Follow along in the “Return to the Jellicle Ball” Series here:
