The Forgotten Jellicle: Patience in 'Cats'
Cats pointing their legs while dancing in a scene from the Broadway musical 'Cats.'
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_243030
August 8 is International Cat Day! To celebrate, we’re sharing photos of the Library’s favorite cat like you’ve never seen her before. Before her days as the face of The New York Public Library, Patience made her mark on another New York City institution—the Great White Way.
In 1982, Patience made history as part of the original Broadway cast of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s legendary musical, Cats. Considered one of the most choreographically-grueling modern musicals, Patience studied and practiced for months ahead of her debut. Sadly, she lasted three shows—two nights and half a matinee—before leaving the production due to creative differences with Weber and Co. These never-before-seen photos are a rare opportunity to view what only a handful of people bore witness to—a legendary pair of nights and one afternoon when the Library world’s most famous cat almost became a star.
Big group of cats dancing in a scene from the Broadway musical 'Cats.'
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_243045
(L-R) Rene Ceballos, Patience, and Donna King in a scene from the Broadway musical "Cats."
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_243041
(L-R) Patience and Donna King in a scene from the Broadway musical 'Cats.'
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_244712
Terrence Mann surrounded by adoring cats in a scene from the Broadway musical 'Cats.'
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_243017
Patience and Cynthia Onrubia in a scene from the Broadway musical 'Cats.'
NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_244000