You may have seen this flyer circulating Broadway Internet over the past few days. It went viral when New Yorker, Jose Simbulan posted it on his Facebook page after seeing it tweeted by Ryan J. Davis who credited it to where it originated: an Instagram post by Adam J. Thompson, who found the flyer in Brooklyn (I love the Internet). Whether you are a fan of Cats or not, this stunt is effing hilarious. It’s the kind of joke that makes you mad that you didn’t think of it first. Every detail is perfect. The wording. The font choices… The decision to post it on a random bulletin board in Brooklyn… THE E-MAIL ADDRESS.
I was such a fan of it all, I decided to send an email to pleaselordstopcats@gmail.com to congratulate its creator. I was shocked to find out that there was one small detail they forgot to cover: REGISTRATION OF SAID E-MAIL ADDRESS.
Not to be outdone by someone else snatching my wig, I did the only thing a self-proclaimed sole-satirizer-of-the-Broadway-industry could do….
I STOLE IT.
That’s right. I registered and stole pleaselordstopcats@gmail.com because this is my turf, bitches, and I will Claire Underwood myself into any situation I please. It’s not my fault they didn’t think to take ownership of 100% of their idea. If you wanna make fun of Broadway, you best be covering all of your bases, because I am always watching.
OK, I don’t actually want to take credit for this great joke because I was not raised by The Fat Jew (and I’m still holding out for them to cast me in Cats). I did, however, want to see what kind of emails would be sent by people who thought that the flyer was real. Another reason I am thrilled to own pleaselordstopcats@gmail.com for the next two hours that it is still topical, is because I get to share some of those emails with you!
HERE GOES…
A lot of people showed support!
Many people wanted to get involved because previous productions of Cats took a toll on their soul…
I don’t know about this one…
One person came up with a fun battle cry to chant during the march!
Some people felt that the protest was heavenly divine…
And some did not!
There was even one Cats enthusiast who didn’t have anything to say, so he just sent me this…
All in all, I’d say it was a pretty fun 24 hours for Broadway Internet and it no doubt made us pretty stoked for our comp tickets to Cats this summer!
A previous publication of this article cited Jose Simbulan for posting the original flyer. It later came to knowledge that he found it on Adam J. Thompson’s Instagram via Ryan J. Davis’ Twitter.
The flyer is hilarious but nothing will stop the Cats revival. Has everyone forgotten that Cats is now and FOREVER!!!
Once again, you’re stuck on the outside looking in. They didn’t forget to register. You didn’t steal anything. They made their point brilliantly and moved on. Take your cue.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
I am not a huge fan of the show overall but the “Gus the Theatre Cat” section is very moving. There are some other good songs too. But bravo for a very funny prank.
You brilliant, subversive sneak. Love it!
re:picture above of a very old cat … My name is Randy McCormick from Vancouver area of British Columbia… I recently was cast as Gus, the Theatre Cat in the Vancouver production of CATS … here is my program bio …
To play ‘Asparagus the Theatre Cat’ (Gus to you) has been on my bucket list for the past forty years … time to scratch that one off … thanks Ryan … …. accomplishments … to numerous to list and who really cares anyway … but to you, young actors, I entreat you to listen carefully to the words that Gus will sing because “io fu gia quel che voi siete e quel chio son voi anco sarete” (“I was once that which you are, and what I am you also will be”) so Send in the Clowns … um … er … Cats…
Danni wrote:
So today we worked on the first and most of the 2nd act of Cats.
During the 2nd act we got to sit and experience the awesome energy in the space created by Randy McCormick and Sarah Seekamp
I (as well as few others) was brought to tears. Gus was always my favorite number
Cats! Now and Forever!
Dunno who reckons they’ve stopped it in Australia.
Done the tour here twice in every major city
Wait. So this was a joke all this time or do i still have to suffer with this being real?
Please, please let this protest really happen. If the creator is not going to see this through, take the reins!
LOVE! Please keep posting your emails!!!