help im thinking about nora degreen's demeter again

when i saw them live i was like ugh they GET IT. i needdddd more nonbinary people to play demeter right NEOW

Demeter's nightmare is coming true around her...

... and she's dragged everyone she loves into it with her.

Nora DeGreen as Demeter, Kade Wright as Munkustrap, and Samuel Buchanan as Macavity. US tour 6, October 2022.

i’m going to start crying over them

source

Two Cats got stuck in the net. Will someone let them out?

Erica Lee Cianciulli as Bombalurina and Nora DeGreen as Demeter, US Tour 6; Moncton, NB.

CATS U.S. Tour 6 (02/04/23)

My thoughts on the show I saw yesterday! I was supposed to see the show last weekend as well, but I was unable to go, so I can't really talk about that one here.

Before I get into the meat of the post, I just want to talk about...guest ettiquette? These were the best seats I've ever gotten for a show at this theatre, but I missed part of the Gumbie Tap and almost the entirety of Sillabub's "Moment's of Happiness" solo because someone had to crawl past me to get to their seat. It's really a good thing I decided not to break the "no recording" rule, or I would've been caught by the usher's who were shining lights down the aisle for all the late people...

Now on to the interesting stuff! I didn't catch as many background moments this time as last, as I mainly focused on each character as they were having their moment (and of course, I couldn't help but be excited about Sillabub).

I saw Hank Santos as Tugger, and his energy was everything I want from a Tugger performance. He seemed the most comfortable with his fellow castmates, and he had little moments with almost all the Queens. He danced with Demeter during his own number (Tuggmeter lovers will enjoy their little moments!), he danced with Bombalurina during his number and they were paired together for the Jellicle Ball. He talked Cassandra's ear off during someone else's number, and he even danced with Victoria at one point! At the opening of his own number, he poked Munkustrap in the stomach and laughed when he doubled over, which is a total bro move. He also swung at Alonzo after the "terrible bore" line. Oh! And during the last bows, Hank and Tayler did a neat little handshake that I'm pretty sure someone caught on camera. Overall, I really love Hank as Tugger. My aunt told him he was her favorite Tugger, and he gave her a little paw bump. I could say more about his performance and I probably will, but seeing it yourself will be better than anything I can describe here.

Nora was Demeter, and I was very torn on how I felt about their performance. I like to be open-minded and not compare every performer to the last, but that's easier said than done. Their energy and vibe were perfect, but they have a very unique voice that takes just a little getting used to. I loved their moments with Hank as Tugger. Nora and Erica were super close and had the perfect Bomba/Deme thing going, and I absolutely loved them together. Nora was an awesome Demeter.

Erica was Bombalurina, and she might just be a favorite of mine. She also has a very unique voice, but it's very Bomba. She definitely has the right vibe going, and I absolutely adore how closely she stuck to Nora. Her performance very much reminded me of Rosemarie Ford's, and I think that's why I liked it so much.

I can say without a doubt that Sam Bello is the best Sillabub I have seen live. Her voice was angelic, clear, pure, and literally everything I could possibly want from a Sillabub performance. Every time she sang I would almost cry her voice was so beautiful. She's definitely up there with Helen Massey as a favorite Sillabub voice for me. She was such a little kitten, and I very much got the idea that she's the one troublemaker who pesters the older kittens and sometimes gets into little spats with them. Skimbleshanks was very protective over her when Grizabella came onstage, and she was usually found hanging out with (or pestering) Pouncival and Victoria. During Skimbleshank's number, rather than appearing that they're just horsing around, it feels more like Silla and Vicci got into a little tiff and Skimble had to break them up. Oh, and please, for the love of all things Jellicle, if you go to a show and have the chance to see Sam as Silla, please get audio for your friend Indy. I would appreciate it.

I saw Taryn as Rumpleteazer! She is the most adorable 'Teazer, and super nice if you get to meet her. She actually stopped to take a photo with us on a very busy two-show day, and I'll never forget how friendly she was.

I got to see Ibn play Misto. He was probably the cutest Misto I've ever seen, and he and Hank switch off when it comes to wanting to be the center of attention at all times. Their Tugger and Misto are absolutely obsessed with each other (like every Tugger/Misto should be), and Tuggoffelees shippers are really gonna enjoy that. Ibn was also super friendly and took a photo with us, was the most chill guy.

I can say without any reservation that this cast was just as good as the last, and I was so happy to see those who returned. Tayler absolutley slays Memory every single time, and when I met her the first thing out of my mouth was, "You were amazing!" She was so sweet and came straight to me to talk, telling me she liked my cosplay. She asked my name and I told her, but she accidently slipped and said, "Hi Tayler, my name is--" before realizing she got it backwards. She was absolutely lovely. Overall, everyone had a great performance and if you get the chance to see them you should absolutely take it!!!

I also got some signatures on my second playbill. Hank's smudged, and I forgot to ask for Tayler's, but I also got Kade's and he was super sweet (and also an amazing Munkstrap!!!). I also saw Brian (Mungojerrie), who asked me if I was cosplaying as Jemima or Sillabub (he grew up on Cats, too!) and that made my day.

I could go on about other characters/cast and how great they were and how hard they work, but you really should go see the show instead of letting me spoil it for you. I will share some photos here, though:

So yeah, U.S. Tour 6, 2023 was a 11/10 experience. I loved it and I can't wait to get back to the Junkyard!!!

(From Nora DeGreen's Instagram)

Nora DeGreen as Demeter

Sammy Fussom as Alonzo

Tayler Harris as Grizabella

Allyson Duarte as Jellylorum

Samantha Bello as Sillabub

Yuka Notsuka as Victoria

them

Any demestrap news to share?

I am going to be really honest, I was not paying too much attention to Munk or Demeter for the majority of the show. I just feel like they were not in my line of vision. Not sure why, it is perhaps they hung around the side of stage with the tire / oven that I could not see as well.

Either way I did not see a lot of interactions between them because I guess I was too focused on other characters, so my apologies. I know that there are quite a few Demestrap moments in the blocking for US shows, but aside from a few quicker flashes, I was not paying attention to them.

I will say that during the Macavity fight, Kade definitely made his Munk seem very frazzled that Mac was trying to steal Demeter back. He imbued genuine concern into his moves and the way he was trying to protect her at the start of the fight, and looked extra distraught when he was down for the count.

Otherwise, their paired dance during the Ball was very fluid, as if they were meant to fit together and belong to one another, so there is that.

For anything else, I am legitimately drawing a blank. I cannot think of much that stuck out with them unfortunately.

does nora know everything that theyre doing for the demelurina community

Alonzo steps up.

Samuel Buchanan as Macavity, Nora DeGreen as Demeter, Sammy Fossum as Alonzo, Kade Wright as Munkustrap, and Michelle Carter as Jenny. US tour 6, October 2022.

if you’re having a bad day just look at them 🥰

Tayler Harris does glamor portraits

Posted November 8, 2022

Backstage chaos and camaraderie, as captured by Michelle E. Carter in US Tour 6.

With Reagan Davidson as Tantomile, Sam Bello as Sillabub, Allyson Duarte as Jellylorum, Taryn Smithson as Rumpleteazer, Erica Lee Cianciulli as Bombalurina, and Nora DeGreen as Demeter.

JT Yorke just wanted to be a veterinarian-stand-up-comedian and now I want to crawl into a hole!!!!

Here's some more Deme from last night!!