Cat

Cat is a feral deconstruction of a certain singular 1981 musical and the crazy cat lady trope. In Cat, we experience the last hour in the life of a reclusive octogenarian former stage actress—played by a body puppet—in her hoarding den apartment, as she relives memories with her pet cats —played by human actors. After decades of suffering, will she ascend to the Heaviside Layer? Cat is a reanimation of theatrical memory and misfit devotion, a love letter to those who love a world that does not love them back.

A 30-minute work-in-progress showing of Cat was directed by Sammy Zeisel at the Flea Theater July 13-14, 2025, as the culmination of his 2024/25 Rattlestick Theater Directing Fellowship. It starred Camille Cooper, Ella Pennington, Gaby FeBland, and Nat Marvan.

Scenic Design by Silin Chen

Lighting Design by Ankit Pandey

Sound Design by Joyce Ciesel

“Cat” Body Puppet Design by KT Shivak

Shadow Puppetry and Toy Theatre Design by Gaby FeBland

Stage Managed by Laia Comas

All photos by Sam Rayward