Interviews

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Rumpleteazer

Interviews July 11, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Which one is which? Is it Mungojerrie? Or Rumpleteazer? Rumpleteazer? Or Mungojerrie? (Well, we’ve learned that if you’ve ever or are currently playing Mungojerrie you have the potential to have had…or hold…the longest ‘talking cat’ record… IYKYK) So this must be…

Thank you for joining us! Why don’t you tell us who you are and which one of the frick-n-frack twins you happen to be playing?

Veronica Lane: I’m Veronica Lane and I play Rumpleteazer!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Joe the Ticklin’ Ivories Cat

Interviews July 10, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

One of the most iconic parts of Cats is its music…certainly one of the things that people love most about it. So we’ll take you on a brief journey through the Heaviside Layer to a different type of cat…a magical, musical cat!

Thank you, Nathan, for joining us in this series! We know you’re the Musical Director for Cats. But tell us, why did you want to come out and be a part of this whole thing with Bambi?

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Jellylorum

Interviews July 10, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

I am glad you have a cat but I do not believe it so remarkable a cat as my cat…there never was such a Lilliecat…and its name is…

Tell us who you are and who you’re playing, and thank you, of course, for joining us!

Sara Ulrich: I’m Sara Ulrich and I’m playing Jellylorum.

Tell me a little bit about Jellylorum.

Sara: Jellylorum is like the Mama Bear of the kittens.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Mr. Mistoffelees

Interviews July 9, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so magical as magical… well, you know who…

Thank you for joining us! Why don’t you tell us who you are and who you’re playing for this production of Cats, as you are in fact one of five Erin/Aarons in this production! (I swear it comes in Bambi’s rider that any production of Cats must have at least two or more Erin/Aarons in it…)

Aaron Fletcher: My name is Aaron Fletcher and I’m playing Mr.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Macavity

Interviews July 9, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

For he’s a fiend in feline shape! A monster of depravity… you guessed it! It’s time to meet— *GASP* where’d he go?

Thank you so much for joining us! Please tell us who you are and who you’re playing in this production of Cats!

Kapone Washington: I’m Kapone Washington. And I play Macavity. And I’m also Tumbulbrutus.

That’s awesome. Can you tell me a little bit about Macavity?

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Bombalurina

Interviews July 8, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Peculiar and more dignified, so says that magical, Jellicle book of poems…a combination of bombastic and ballerina…can you guess, can you really, really guess which cat we’re meeting today?

Thank you so much for joining us! Tell who you are and who you’re playing!

Lizzie Detar: I’m Lizzie Detar and I play Bombalurina.

Tell us a little bit about Bombalurina.

Lizzie: Bombalurina is the sultry,

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Demeter

Interviews July 8, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Three times ascended through the Heaviside Layer. A rare three-peat, as it were, and rarer still that this Cat has only ever played one role…are we ready to meet Demeter?

Erin, it’s such a pleasure to see you again! Welcome back! And thank you for joining us! And this is officially your third time performing as Demeter with Bambi in Cats. Why keep throwing your hat into the ring for this show?

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Gaffer

Interviews July 7, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats are Scenography Cats! And Scenography Cats are Jellicle Cats! I don’t think T.S. Eliot or Andrew Lloyd Webber had any idea that cats could build sets! Or maybe they did and just wanted to keep that a secret…like a hidden third name…from all the rest of us!

Thank you for giving us some of your time today! Tell us who you are and how you fit into this Cats configuration!

Return to the Jellicle Ball: Meeting the Newest 2024 Additions to the Clowder of Cockpit in Court’s Cats: Queenie

Interviews July 7, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats are choreographical cats!

While this cat is no stranger to cats…she’s on the techie-side layer for this production…please meet the first of two threepeaters, our very own— Queenie Cat!

Thank you so much for joining us, Whitney! We’re thrilled to have you back with us again! Now you are a rare cat— just one of two— who is what we call a magical Threepeater!

Whitney Russell: I am!

Return to the Jellicle Ball: Meeting the Newest 2024 Additions to the Clowder of Cockpit in Court’s Cats: Starla

Interviews July 6, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats have moonlit eyes…to dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon… and one such Jellicle Cat has taken herself up into the stratosphere to get as close to the moon as possible! Who knew that Jellicles could also freestyle on the Lyra Hoop?

Thank you so much for joining us! Tell us who you are pretty please? And who you are playing this time around as we know you are Tidewater Cat in addition to being a Jellicle Cat!

Return to the Jellicle Ball: Meeting the Newest 2024 to the Clowder of Cockpit in Court’s Cats: Skimbleshanks

Interviews July 6, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Then he gave one flash of his glass-green eyes and the signal went “ALL CLEAR!” And as the next in the series of ‘RttJB’— it’s Skimbleshanks— he’s here!

Thank you for joining us! Tell us who you are? And we know you’re playing The Railway Cat!

Ethan Howard: I’m Ethan Howard and I do play Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat.

Tell me about Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat.

Ethan: I think he’s one of the younger characters in the cast,

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Griddlebone

Interviews July 5, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

More than half the cast’s new this year— but the crowd still cheers— opera! They’ve cut out old Growltiger, but dear Griddlebone is pleasantly still here! Had to borrow some other ALW lyrics there…sort of, as we are just thrillified to welcome yet another ‘Tidewater Cat’ to the ‘Return to the Jellicle Ball’ series this year!

Thank you for sitting with us! Remind us who you are, please?

Anne Acerno: I’m Anne Acerno.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Etcetera

Interviews July 5, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Pssp-pssp-pssp-pssp! Heeeere— Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera! Ooh— and here she is!

Thank you for joining us— one of the first ‘Tidewater’ Cats to sit with us this season. (A Tidewater Cat is black and white…a Tidewater Cat has moonlit eyes…no seriously, a Tidewater Cat was a part of Cats at Tidewater Players in 2022 and ascended the Heaviside Layer to Cockpit in Court for 2024)— please tell us who you are, who you are playing in this incarnation of Cats and who you were last time as a ‘Tidewater Cat’?

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Tantomile

Interviews July 4, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

They put a spell on you… wait— that’s not a stage musical (either). But these witchy cats could totally be a part of that stage show…when it becomes a stage show. You met Coricopat this morning…now it’s time to meet the other half of the Psychic Kitty Cat duo…

Thank you for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play!

Lisa Rigsby Geiger: I’m Lisa and I am Tantomile.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Coricopat

Interviews July 4, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Double…double…toil and trouble…something meowy this way comes?

Thanks for joining us this morning! Tell us who you are and who you’re playing in Cats.

Anthony Case: I’m Anthony Case. And I’m playing Coricopat. You know, the one whose name I could not pronounce for a straight month.

I feel you. I feel like I also still cannot pronounce Coricopat…and I’ve interviewed a Coricopat before! But tell me about Coricopat!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Pouncival

Interviews July 3, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

A troublesome kitty? Never. An inquisitive kitty? Perhaps! Meet the next in our long lineup of Jellicle Cats here at Cockpit in Court…

Thank you for joining us today, on I’m soon will be called the “CatClaw Takeover of TheatreBloom.” Could you tell us who you are and who you’re playing in this production of Cats?

Tristan Goodenaugh: I’m Tristan Goodenaugh and I play Pouncival.

Tell me a little bit about Pouncival.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Aria

Interviews July 2, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Meow.

Or— ♫Meoooow. That seems appropriate for this cat. No. It’s not Griz.

Thank you for joining us! Would you tell us your name and who you’re playing in this production of Cats?

Hanna Lyons: My name is Hanna Lyons and I play the kitten Aria.

Tell me a little bit about Aria.

Hanna: Aria to me is an anxious kitten.

Okay.

Return to the Jellicle Ball: Meeting the Newest 2024 Additions to the Clowder of Cockpit in Court’s Cats: Saffron

Interviews July 1, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

A pinch of sugar— and spice— and everything nice— and that’s how you get— whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up. Is this cooking class or Cats? I think we got ourselves a little mixed up on account of this cat’s particular, more dignified name!

Thank you kindly for sitting with us this morning and giving us a few moments of your time. Would you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats?

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Electra

Interviews June 30, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

This is this and that is that…a fancier but sensible cat! Can you guess who? Or maybe just read along and see!

Thank you for joining us— tell us who you are and who you play here at The Jellicle Ball?

Emma Hammett: I am Emma Hammett and I am Electra!

Tell me about Electra!

Emma: Well, she’s a twin. She’s a kitten. She’s more on the skittish side.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Bill Bailey

Interviews June 30, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

You’ve heard of several kinds of cats. And my opinion now is that— you should need no interpreter… to guess which fluffy ball of fur…is next!

Thank you for joining here at the Jellicle Ball! Or what will become the Jellicle Ball by the time folks read this interview and get their tickets to Cats! Why don’t you tell us who you are and who you are playing?

Shannon Lloyd-Ragan: I’m Shannon Lloyd-Ragan and I play Bill Bailey.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Plato

Interviews June 29, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Names must never belong to more than one cat! And that seems to be true at least for this cat…as we cannot find a cat with this name from the 2022 production… Can you guess which cat this might be?

Thank you for joining us today! Tell us who you are and which cat you’re playing and we’ll get going!

Erin Bourn: I’m Erin. Erin Bourn, because there are so many Erins in this show!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Carbucketty

Interviews June 28, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

A knockabout cat. Rough and boisterous. If you delve into the source material for this particular kitty-cat, T.S. Eliot and his lovely book of poems will tell you that he made up the name Carbucketty! And so, are you ready today, dear readers, as we continue on with introductions in the clowder— to meet— Carbucketty?

Thank you for joining us! If you’ll tell us who you are, we can go ahead and get started!

Return to The Jellicle Ball: Meeting the newest 2024 additions to the Clowder of Cockpit In Court’s CATS: Sillabub

Interviews June 27, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Memory! All alone in the moonlight! I can dream of the old days…life was beautiful then…

I remember the time I knew when Cats was on stage…

Now it’s time…for it to be back on stage again!

For those not yet privileged enough to experience one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, the Andrew Lloyd Webber sensation, Cats, you once more have your chance! Appearing live on the main stage at Cockpit in Court this summer,

Luck Be A Lady: A Runyonese Conversation with Four Prime Guys & Dolls from HCST’s Guys & Dolls

Interviews June 14, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

author: Amanda N. Gunther

I got the show for y’all— let’s call it Guys & Dolls and a two week run that’s looking beau-ti-ful! Damon Ruyon I am not, but I gots four leading players to sit down and speak (thankfully not in full Runyonese) all about the Howard County Summer Theatre production of Guys & Dolls, which opens in just a few days’ time! Opening on Friday June 21st and playing selective evening and afternoon performances through June 29th 2024,

That is SO FETCH: An Interview with Five Fabulous Performers from Children’s Playhouse of Maryland’s Current Production of Mean Girls

Interviews April 27, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Get in, Losers! We’re going— interviewing!? And Shut. Up. NONE OF THEM WORE PINK. Except Regina George, of course. That is so FETCH!! Just like these fabulous, five performers that I was fortunate enough to snag before their rehearsal this morning at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland! If you haven’t figured out whether or not butter is carb by now, you probably have no idea what we’re talking about…like— DUH— MEAN GIRLS (High School Edition) which is closing out the CPM mainstage 2023-2024 season!

Local Limelight: Actor Kelly Rardon on Murder On The Orient Express at Just Off Broadway and Other Theatre Experiences

Interviews April 25, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances! That feels a little like any given week of theatre in the Baltimore area theatre scene! At any one time it feels impossibly like 100 shows are opening, closing, mid-run, in tech, or about to start rehearsals! So it’s no wonder that we found the second person ever to be featured in our “Local Limelight” series— Kelly Rardon, a well-known area performer for quite some time— at the start of her tech-week for the show she’s currently performing in,

Colton Roberts (left) and Hazel Vogel (right) after rehearsal for Oliver!

It’s A Fine Life: Interviewing Two Olivers- Colton Roberts & Hazel Vogel- On Playing The Title Role In Oliver! at Tidewater Players

Interviews April 25, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Small pleasures! Small pleasures! Who would deny us these? (Not me!)

Two kiddos— large measures! No skimpin’ if you please! When you get to sit down and have a chit-chat with BOTH Colton Roberts and Hazel Vogel, it’s a fine, fine life! And these two young performers couldn’t be more of a delight to chat with! I got the pleasure of catching them at the end of their rehearsal for Oliver! to talk to them about playing the titular role,

Ryan Geiger (left) and Emily Jewett (right) at a post-rehearsal interview for Oliver!

As Long As We Need Them: An Interview with Ryan Geiger and Emily Jewett on Playing Bill Sikes & Nancy in Tidewater Players’ Oliver!

Interviews April 23, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The grass is green and dense! On the right side of the fence! And it’s a fine life! A fine life— to be doing Oliver! at Tidewater Players this spring. You’re always going to get the raw and nitty gritty of a dark show when it comes to one directed by Bambi Johnson and that’s what we’re here for! Sitting down with Ryan Geiger and Emily Jewett, playing Bill Sikes and Nancy, respectively,

Rob Tucker (left) and J Purnell Hargrove (right) pre-rehearsal for Kinky Boots at Dundalk Community Theatre

Just Be: The Interview with J Purnell Hargrove & Rob Tucker on Kinky Boots at Dundalk Community Theatre

Interviews April 23, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

They’ll feed your fire! They’ll take you higher! They’ll light you up like a live wire! In those sexy, stunning— Kinky Boots! And we’re doing a TheatreBloom live, sit-down exclusive interview with J Purnell Hargrove, playing Lola, and Rob Tucker, playing Charlie Price! It’s fierce! It’s fabulous! And they’re both on fire!

Thank you both so very much for taking time out of your busy rehearsing schedule to show up today and sit down for this interview!

Falsettos at Maryland Theatre Collective in rehearsal at sitzprobe

Please Come To Our House: An Interview With Tommy Malek & Rachel Sandler On Maryland Theatre Collective’s Falsettos

Interviews April 15, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

“It’s a song I was waiting to hear so long, so long ago.”

Five years in the making— a show that was planned and cast and ready to go before the pandemic, now finally appearing on the Maryland Theatre Collective Stage— Falsettos is rounding out MTC’s first full season in production and it’s a proper doozy well worth investigating! In a few minutes following their sitzprobe, Director and Musical Director Rachel Sandler and Associate Director and Performer Tommy Malek sat down to discuss the production and how thrilled they both are to finally be getting it up on its feet for an audience in 2024.