#jellicle month of jellicle ships

[storyweaverofgondor]

Demestrap

They are so pretty! I’m so happy with how this turned out!

@jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships @uppastthejelliclemoon

[falasta]

@magical-quaxoffelees

For Quaxo/Mistoffelees day (day 9 of Jellicle ships month)... some Quaxo/Mistoffelees! Courtesy of, well, Quaxo.

Christopher Favaloro (Mistoffelees) and Tarquinn Whitebooi (swing Quaxo), Asia tour 2014.

[pixiedustjellicle]

I have such a difficult time connecting with the Cats community now. Part of me feels like maybe I'm too old for the current fandom(I don't feel old, but I'm certainly not 19 anymore). Or that perhaps it's because I don't much care about ships. Sometimes I worry that I intimidate people, and I'd hate that. Let me introduce myself and how Cats has shaped my life, and maybe I can find my people?

I first saw Cats at a tiny local theatre when I was eight. I fell in love with it, and even though I didn't have the movie yet, I spent months afterwards with just the poem book and highlights album. Eventually I got the 98 VHS too- and then another local theatre put it on when I was ten! I got to see it twice there. And afterwards, I made up my own attempt at a costume, turned our spare room into my attempt at the set, and put some chairs in there to put on the highlights show for some friends of my mother. The CD was worn out, I went on with the show, and they even gave me a card and a new CD afterwards- the London 2 disc set! Looking back, I think how embarrassing it probably was, but I was so happy and proud of myself in the moment. Two more years later, US Tour 5 came through Nashville, and I got to go and stagedoor for the first time. I wore a tail I made and one of the actresses told me I had a perfect Bombalurina tail twirl. For all those years, I worked Cats into school projects, I drew nothing else. My mom put up with it for so long, and I still thank her to this day.

And then I went into middle school. New school, new students, and I started getting bullied for it. I found other musicals I didn't get bullied for- Phantom, Wicked, and Sweeney- to latch onto, and I kinda put Cats in the back of my head. I still loved it, but my hyperfixation had waned thanks to mean kids, and other than occasionally watching the 1998 movie, I didn't think much of it for years.

But the US Tour 6 announced a date in Nashville. I hadn't seen the show in eight years, and I wasn't about to miss it. I had already started taking an interest in cosplay, but I'd never made a costume like that. I remembered admiring the CCDB as a kid though, and I told myself I was totally capable of making my own, just to go see the show in costume. And I did.

And the cast were SO sweet, and I started finding Cats fans on Instagram. I thought I could do better on the costume, so when the show stopped in Chattanooga a couple months later... I did it again.

The pandemic hit and I lost my job. Immediately I started getting work making Cats cosplays for others, and I haven't stopped since. And when the show resumed, I made an overnight trip to Memphis to dress up again!

And then, I saved until I could finally go see the Royal Caribbean production (front row all three performances), and got to cosplay on the cruise and get a picture on stage with the cast! This was absolutely everything to me, especially seeing the original choreography as opposed to the revival. I definitely cried. (I'm in the middle bottom row!)

I've gotten to make some costume pieces for three regional productions of Cats, in the Dominican Republic, Atlanta Georgia, and most recently Georgetown Texas. I've won some local cosplay contest with my costumes, too! And I'm lucky enough to own a few original pieces- though I've had to part with some too.

My love for this show has spanned just over 17 years now. I adore the story, the costumes, the choreography, the sets, and the characters. It's part of how I learned I am autistic. It's given me confidence I didn't know I could find. And every time I get to see it live, I feel like I'm where I belong. The fandom has felt quiet. And I'm not sure if that's just because I don't know where I fit in? So here's hoping I can find my tribe.

Favorite productions: Original Broadway, Moscow, and Mexico 2013/2018

Favorite Cats: Jemima/Sillabub, Bombalurina, Demeter, Munkustrap, Tumblebrutus, Jellylorum

Favorite songs: Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, The Song of the Jellicles and the Jellicle Ball, Macavity

Favorite cats to cosplay: Etcetera and Victoria

[namingofcatszine]

🌕⭐️ PRODUCTION UPDATES! ⭐️🌕

Hello, Jellicle Cats! Apologies for the long wait, but your orders will be ready to ship out very soon!

All current orders have been packed, they will be dropped off at the post office soon. An announcement will be made when they have been sent off and another will also be made when Digital bundles will be going out!

Thank you for your patience with us in this journey. Head Mod Peach has been dealing with moving + personal issues but they have gotten your bundles all packed!

Here are some glimpses of our stickers!

And our makeup book!

A little glimpse of the sticker production!

After the preorder bundles have been successfully sent out, we will once again open the store for Leftover Sales. Leftover Sales will only be open for a month until we completely close down the shop. Items are in VERY limited supply, so we hope that you guys can snatch them before they are gone for good!

Thank you for all of the support, we cannot wait for you Cats to hold the zines in your paws!

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

If you have more thoughts about Warsaw Misto and Jellicle Demeter (or just more about your mafia AU in general) I would love to hear it, that sounds so chaotic

I do have some! Namely, the general timeline of their relationship and how it fits in the general plot

Initially this ship started cuz I wanted to somehow introduce Demeter into the story, and I figured out this would make a pretty solid bit that would work nicely with the main plot. The plot being a secret will they-won't they relationship drama between Warsaw Misto (Feliks) and Jellicle Munk who come from 2 mafia families that have a bit shaky but long-lasting truce, with a sprinkle of Macavity causing chaos. They do get together after some back and forth, but ultimately the relationship implodes, with only a few people knowing it ever was a thing, and Feliks moves to New York to get away from it all.

After some time there, he meets Demeter, freshly broke and after a messy break-up with her fiancé. They meet online and strike a deal, as she needs money and he wants to look like he's dating someone to avoid questions about his love life. Plus, he just wants someone not from his circle to spend time with and also they both can indirectly get back at their exes by showing how they supposedly moved on and are doing great.

Pretty quickly into their fake dating they actually become good friends because they genuinely like spending time together, and besides bonding over their recent bad breakups they have quite a few shared interests, the main one being their shared love for dancing. Plus, Demeter has a chance to try herself in some more or less legal business dealings, and she discovers she may be into it. They meet each other's friends and families and with this Feliks gets a little taste of a normal life, while she gets a few opportunities for a new life and career. And a few months into their "relationship" they kinda indirectly kickstart actual relationships for each other.

They get invited to tuggoffelees wedding back in UK thanks to Feliks being Misto's cousin, where Demeter meets Munk and Bomba. While they're talking in a bigger group Munk jokes Feliks is lucky to date Deme and that if he wasn't he himself would ask her out. To which Deme jokes back referencing one of the things Munk and Feliks broke up over, implying she knows what happened. This leads to Munk having a few drinks for courage and confronting Feliks later at the party, which a few weeks and one party later results in them giving their relationship another chance.

At the same time Demeter gets introduced to Bomba, and they have themselves a bit of a summer romance that turns into an actual, at first long distance relationship. It happens while Deme and Feliks still pretend date each other for a few months longer, and help each other a bit with figuring out the relationships before ultimately officially breaking up, after about a year/year and a bit of fake dating. They do continue their friendship tho and Feliks gets to be godfather of one of her kids

So yeah, this started as just as temporary, kinda fake side ship, but I actually enjoyed playing with it and got attached XD Plus I think they have a fun dynamic, two smart, bit petty people going together through a bit of a life reset, supporting each other, discovering things and having quite a bit of fun along the way. And also starting the relationship to pretend to be all good and happy with life and ultimately actually getting there with the other's help

[real-reulbbr-band]

✍️ and 🔥!

✍️ If you had total creative control over a production of Cats, what would you change and why?

I was meaning to make a post on this cause I’ve had ideas for months but-

Have Grizabella get mad! (Or more mad)

Like I know she’s probably done some awful shit but I feel like her transitioning from almost begging the jellicles to acknowledge her pain to being more frustrated and almost threatening could be played up a little more.

My favorite example is Cats UK tour 2013

(Timeframe is 24:07)

Grizabella seems to have actually been gashed here. Severely as you can see from her own reaction and the shock of the jellicles around her. But still nobody will touch her, nobody will hear her, they’ll only stare at her hostility, pity, perplex-ion and even hate.

She’s bitter and she’s angry as she realizes that they’ve truly lost any and all care for her. Which is why she doesn’t hesitate when getting face to face with Munkustrap to sing *at him*.

Even when it looks like Munkustrap might potentially swipe at her she doesn’t move. Doesn’t flinch. She’s resilient and will be heard. This treatment isn’t even exclusive to Munkustrap, as Jemima tries to approach her she only reiterates what’s right in-front of her. That she can see the border of her coat is torn.

And she doesn’t take the Cassandra shade lightly either inly reiterating once more that she’s hurt as she leans towards Cassandra looking her dead in the eyes.

What I’m saying is I want more “I’m that bitch” Grizabella during Glamour cat

🔥 Share one (1) hot take/opinion about the show/fandom/

I don’t understand why Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer have to change out of their song costumes. Like the song costumes look nicer then their chorus costumes just let them keep it on for the rest of the show.

It just seems like a pointless quick change to me but if there’s a legitimate reason I’m not getting please let me know.

Also “I hate/dislike/ am neutral on popular ship/character/thing” isn’t a new or controversial opinion trust me a-lot of people hate popular things.

[miasiegert]

What could it mean indeed @jellicle-chants?

There is one thing I can confidently share. I regret to inform all of you that Macavity will NOT be allowed on the Choo Choo Train.

Let's have a minute of silence for Macavity's Villain Origin Story.

Anyway, another late night (haaaaa) but I'm too wired to sleep and I *REALLY* want to do Sims stuff with the new kits... BUT CURSE MY NEED TO FINISH THE JORDAN FAMILY'S HOUSE FIRST! I think it's *enough* that I saved it but... does this mean... do I... do I work on... GOTH CAS or CASTLES? I vote Goth CAS. MAKEOVERS.

Oh, and in the spirit of announcements, actually have a not-CATS but big announcement. I have reverted rights to JERKBAIT *except* for Audible (where I am thrilled to announce that I have a new ten year licensing agreement). JERKBAIT will be searching for a new home, and hopefully the sequel from Robbie's POV.

What does this mean?

This means that JERKBAIT can only be purchased as an audiobook in the interim or I will not get royalties and I would like to pay for groceries since I'm hungry. The audiobook is INCREDIBLE and narrated by Raviv Ullman, aka Phil from "Phil of the Future." Am I bias? Yes. But many authors are mixed on their audiobooks and I *LOVE* what he did with mine, truly, with a passion.

One exception: I will have a couple paperbacks available that I can personally sell, but that's it. I'm hesitant to let go because JERKBAIT was my first book and... well. It's hard. I was immensely proud of it. I still am. I'm grateful for my first editor for it. But it's time to find a new home and get a new print. For a book with that many accolades that's literally around the world, I ended up with a $21.76 royalty check over a 6-month period--you read that correctly. A huge part of that was due to piracy, others due to reasons I won't discuss.

Audible is truly fantastic with royalties though and has been a joy to work with.

Additionally, SOMEBODY TOLD ME is going to have a HUGE announcement in... I honestly forgot which month. I'm so sorry. But something's coming up. What I can say related to it, if anyone is a book collector, I would *strongly* encourage you to pick up a copy of the book. That's the most I can do hint-wise. If in the US, I can send some bookmarks (I'm sorry, I can't afford Int'l shipping but if you're abroad and would like some bookmarks and are comfortable with int'l shipping, I can do that via paypal/venmo if you're comfortable with that).

SOMEBODY TOLD ME was downplayed because of the pandemic so I'm a little blue about it still but this pending announcement is a MAJOR cheer up. It might seem anticlimactic outside of book world but in book world it's a badge of honor.

For other book stuff, it's in my agent's hands. I trust her and it's a very different experience than with my previous representation so I'm nervous but there are leaps of faith.

I rambled. Blame the Delta 8 since no one has Delta 10 anymore. :(

Anyway, I will announce as soon as I can, I promise. <3 And I *really* hope that people will be free March-beginning of April, esp first weekend of March I believe. This is a strange bucket list item both David and I have had, and superfans absolutely would be welcome for a very fun experience.

And maybe if you twist my arm enough I'll pull out the OLD pics from when I used to be a superfan. ;-)

Cryptic Cats

Certain Hardcore Fans: Grumble about a Certain Thing, Blah Blah Blah, BLAHHHHHHHHHHHH, BOOOO. BOO, BOOOOOO, DIFFERENT THINGS ARE BAD! BOO, BOO ON YOU, SIR! BOO!

People: If only there was someone who could figure out how to [redacted]--

Me:

[godnattakatta]

demelurina for Bomba day

[boydykedevo]

It's Macavity day for Jellicle ship month, which i guess means it's time for me to make a moodboard for the first time in months.

Anyway, Munkcavity are exes who are still very much into each other but are Not dealing with it well and the whole thing is lowkey toxic af and i love it because i love Drama <3

@jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships

[falasta]

Andrea Luca Cotti's last performance as Mungojerrie was a sad day for everyone, but the cast is determined to give him a proper send off, Munkustrap included! Not 100% sure what he doing in the second picture -- going for a tickle? a lift? nudging him over so he can get past?

Sweet pictures by Diana Bauer.

[skimblyshanks]

Jellicle Month of Jellicle Ships: (Belated) Day II: Plato

Plonzoffelees 2019, Babey!!!

[storyweaverofgondor]

Coricopat and Tantomile

Oh, i love them! A Cori and Tanto fanart was one of the first things i ever posted on here and I really enjoyed doing these two again. I am so happy with how it turned out!

@jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships @uppastthejelliclemoon

[jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships]

I was wondering if you planned to do Jellicle Ship Month in may again?

To be frank, anon, I'm not certain we'll have the time to actively partake in the event ourselves. We all have lives offline that have gotten progressively busier, and I don't want to get anyone's hopes up that we will be actively participating (that is, producing content of our own) on this blog.

That said! If you or anyone still wishes to do the event, we will try to reblog it on time :)

[jellicle-chants]

Moscow!Teazer wants to be magic

So, it's Teazer's day for Jellicle Ships month! In honor of our favorite crime-committing calico queen, I thought I'd make a little gifset/post about one of my favorite background moments from the Moscow production: Teazer's fascination with Misto during his song and her trying to be a magical cat. (Sorry in advance for the terrible resolution on some of the gifs, I had to get a few of them from the wide-shot Moscow boot and I didn't want them to be unreasonably small. Some of them also don't loop for whatever reason, so if it's frozen, opening the image in its own tab should make it play again.)

Teazer is clearly a big fan of Misto's, and the two interact multiple times throughout the dance break. First, he freezes her/she faints:

She takes a moment to fangirl. (Me too, Teazer.)

When he stops next to her for the last time, she takes a moment to get up close and personal.

Another angle again. I think she backs up here because he was a little too far forward coming into the roll.

During the trick, she's mostly out of shot, but afterwards, she and Jerrie get handed Misto's red blanket to get offstage. This is where the magic happens, so to speak. In one show, you can see her wearing the fabric like a cape, just like Misto does earlier in the number.

In the wide-shot version, she does something different, pulling the blanket over herself. Jerrie assists by waving Misto's hand over her.

Ta-da! Wait, she's still Teazer? This must be Jerrie's fault.

Jerrie assists again to help Teazer pull off an arabesque. Unfortunately, Misto is too busy dancing to notice.

This one is better experienced with sound, but Jerrie raises Teazer's hand as Tugger says "magical."

There's so many moments I absolutely love from this song between them, so I hope this post inspired you to go check it out for yourself! Victoria Kanatkina is so great at physical comedy and I love her Teazer so so much!

(Also, if anyone knows how to make GIFs that actually loop and have more than 20 pixels, it would be so nice to have some of these in higher resolution! Especially the one of Jerrie pulling the fabric off of her, that's such a cute little image.)

[jelliclehell]

[bumps my head against you and marks you with my scent]

is victoria day and so she must receive all the cuddles, of course. @jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships

[junkyard-gifs]

Victor and Tabbygirl - with Tabbygirl being an annoying sister - for day 21 of Jellicle ships month, Victor's day!