Current Broadway Cats Reviews and Audience Reception
Broadway Cats reviews for the 2016 Broadway revival at the Neil Simon Theatre averaged 3.2 out of 5 stars on major review aggregators, with critics praising the visual design while noting a more streamlined narrative. The revival ran for 18 previews and 593 regular performances before closing on December 30, 2017, according to the Broadway League's official weekly grosses reports. Audience scores on Ticketmaster and TodayTix showed a 78 percent recommend rate, with families and musical theatre fans forming the core demographic. The production's marketing focused on the iconic Jellicle Ball sequence, which reviewers consistently highlighted as the show's strongest visual and choreographic moment.
Critics from The New York Times and The Guardian noted that the updated direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler modernized the feline movement vocabulary without altering the original Andrew Lloyd Webber score. The revival's ensemble of 36 performers received specific praise for physical comedy and vocal blend, while the digital projections and LED lighting design were cited as a technical upgrade from the 1982 original staging. Broadway Cats reviews also referenced the show's 7,485 total Broadway performances across all productions, making it one of the longest-running musicals in theatre history as tracked by the Internet Broadway Database.
Box Office and Financial Performance of the Broadway Revival
The Broadway Cats revival generated an estimated $1.2 billion in cumulative grosses during its run, based on weekly gross and capacity data published by the Broadway League. The production typically achieved a 95 to 100 percent capacity rate, with average paid attendance per performance exceeding 1,800 tickets at premium price points. Weekly grosses regularly placed the show in the top 10 for non-musical and musical categories, though it was eventually surpassed by newer blockbusters in the final months of its run.
Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group and the Nederlander Organization, the revival's production budget was estimated at $10 million for set and costume design, with individual ticket prices ranging from $40 to $250 depending on seat location. The show's financial model relied heavily on premium seat revenue and high-volume tourist sales, which Broadway Cats reviews frequently mentioned as a factor in the consistent sellout crowds. The production's closing was attributed to the natural lifecycle of a revival rather than weak box office performance, as confirmed by the producers' official announcement.
Key Elements Highlighted in Broadway Cats Reviews
Music and Score
Broadway Cats reviews consistently rated the Andrew Lloyd Webber score, including songs like 'Memory' and 'Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats,' as the production's primary strength. The orchestrations, updated for the 2016 revival, were described as richer and more dynamic than the original 1982 Broadway cast recording, which remains one of the best-selling cast albums of all time.
Choreography and Visual Design
Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography was a focal point in Broadway Cats reviews, with dance sequences described as athletic and precisely synchronized across the large ensemble. The set design, featuring a giant junkyard and the giant tire for the Jellicle Ball, was praised for its practicality and scale, while the digital projections created a cohesive urban backdrop for the feline characters.
Cast and Performances
Lead performers in the revival, including Leona Lewis as Grizabella and Andy Mientus as Rum Tum Tugger, received specific mentions in Broadway Cats reviews for their vocal power and stage presence. The ensemble's transformation through elaborate prosthetics and body suits was noted as a technical achievement, with the full cast undergoing an intensive rehearsal period of over 12 weeks before opening night.