Are you blind when you’re born? Can you see in the dark? Dare you look at a king? Would you sit on his throne? Leader of the pack…perhaps even the son of Old Deuteronomy? In charge of all the Jellicles…because Jellicles can and Jellicles do…MROW.
Thank you so much for a few moments of your time! Can you tell us who you are and who you are playing here in Cats?
Andrew Worthington: I am Andrew Worthington and I play Munkustrap.
Yes, I’ve heard a little bit about this Munkustrap cat. Can you tell me a little bit more about him?
Andrew: He is the narrator, the storyteller, the teacher in some cases. He’s Deuteronomy’s second-in-command. He sees himself as a father figure, overseer, and protector.
What do you and Munkustrap have in common?
Andrew: The teaching aspect and wanting to see what’s good in everybody and find ways to highlight certain folks’ talent and opportunities to fit into the community.
Why did you want to be a part of Cats?
Andrew: Oh gosh, so I grew up watching the 1998 movie on the VHS. It was something I watched all the time; it was a comfort movie. This is not the typical type of show that I do with as much dancing is involved. I really wanted to challenge myself. And this has also been my first opportunity to work with THE Bambi Johnson.
Do you have cats?
Andrew: I do. I have one. His name is Benny. I got Benny right before Covid. He was very shy, very sheepish. Until Covid shutdown. And then I was around all the time so we finally grew very close. He’s very playful. He’s named after Benny from In The Heights because he’s very energetic and loud in a good way. He’s just a hyper little ball of energy.
What does it mean to you to be a Jellicle Cat?
Andrew: Oh wow. So for the Jellicles, I feel like this is their opportunity to find a tribe and find something to be involved in and feel involved in and feel welcomed in. Even though the Jellicles do turn away certain folks, like Grizabella and Macavity, it really does feel like they create this sense of community and belonging.
We learn that all cats have three names. Munkustrap is your cat’s ‘more dignified name’ and while we can never know the ‘secret name’ that he calls himself, what do you think his ‘family daily use’ name is? What are the humans calling him every day?
Andrew: Munkustrap is kind of in a position of higher authority, so he’s probably going to be one of the only cats that has a collar on during the show, so I would think it’s something a little more formal like Charles.
What has been your big personal takeaway from being involved with Cats?
Andrew: Holy crap, this is an incredible and talented group of folks, my gosh. I think sentiment from everybody has been somewhat the same. I’m intimidated because of how great everyone else is? But I’ve heard that from so many other folks in the cast. And that says a lot about the type of folks and the group of people that someone like Bambi or Chris (Musical Director Chris Rose) can get together and get to show up for a show. I’m really excited. Bambi has done a really good job of allowing moments for every different person to shine and to grow their capacity in other things that they weren’t necessarily comfortable with before.
If you had to sum up the Cats experience in just one word, what is the word that you would use?
Andrew: Intimidating.
Cats plays September 16th 2022 through September 25th 2022 with Tidewater Players, in residence at the Cultural Center at The Havre de Grace Opera House— 121 N. Union Street in historic downtown Havre de Grace, MD. For tickets call the box office at 667-225-8433 or purchase them online.
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