{{short description|Main character in the musical ''Cats''}} {{use British English|date=April 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox character | name = Grizabella | image = Grizabella.jpg | caption = Elaine Paige as Grizabella | creator = T. S. Eliot | portrayer = {{Plainlist| * Elaine Paige (West End, video) * Betty Buckley (Broadway) * Jennifer Hudson (film) }} | species = Cat | gender = Female }} '''Grizabella the Glamour Cat''' is a starring role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ''Cats''. The show's signature number, "Memory," belongs to her.
Elaine Paige originated the role in the show's West End premier in 1981 (replacing Dame Judi Dench just four days before the production's opening night), and by Betty Buckley on Broadway in 1982. Buckley won the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal. Jennifer Hudson played Grizabella in the 2019 film version.
==Character== In Act I, the Jellicle Cats are in the process of deciding who among them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer (the Jellicles' conception of heaven).<ref name="sternfeldgriz">{{harvnb|Sternfeld|2006|pp=129, 159–161, 363–365}}</ref> Grizabella enters the scene an outsider to the tribe, old and decrepit. She is no longer the glamorous cat of her youth. Having left the Jellicle cats behind long ago, she is now alone, left with only memories of happier days. She begs for re-acceptance, but Demeter and Bombalurina, repulsed, explain to the tribe who she once was ("Grizabella the Glamour Cat"), and urge them to shun her, which they do.<ref name=griz>{{cite web|url=https://www.catsthemusical.com/characters/grizabella|title=Grizabella|publisher=Cats the Musical (official website)|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330022806/https://www.catsthemusical.com/characters/grizabella|archive-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=story>{{cite web|url=https://www.catsthemusical.com/about-the-show/the-story|title=The Story of Cats|publisher= Cats the musical (official website)|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323165730/https://www.catsthemusical.com/about-the-show/the-story|archive-date=23 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
At the end of Act I, Grizabella is left to watch from afar as the other cats dance at the Jellicle Ball. When she attempts to dance, too, she finds that she is now too weak to do so, a fact that she laments in both a reprise of "Grizabella" and a prelude to "Memory."
In the show's climactic scene, Grizabella sings "Memory" in full to the gathering of the Jellicle cats, pleading for understanding and acceptance. She collapses, near death, in midst of it but presses on until the end, encouraged by the kitten Jemima. Victoria then offers her a gesture of acceptance, and then the other Jellicles follow suit. They escort Grizabella before their leader, Old Deuteronomy, who in turn escorts her as she ascends as their chosen one to the Heaviside Layer.
The role of Grizabella requires a wide vocal range and the ability to belt to E♭5.<ref name=royal>{{cite web|url=https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats|title=Cats|date=2 June 2017|publisher=Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.|access-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330005639/https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|title=Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats|publisher=The Musical Company|access-date=2 April 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073555/https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Origins and songs== T. S. Eliot omitted Grizabella when he published ''Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats'',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=T S Eliot's Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats {{!}} The British LIbrary |url=https://www.britishlibrary.cn/en/works/old-possums-book-of-practical-cats/ |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=British Library}}</ref> the musical's source; he thought that her story was "too sad for children."'''<ref name="unmasked315317">{{harvnb|Lloyd Webber|2018|pp=9-10}}</ref>'''
The opening lyrics of the musical's number "Grizabella: The Glamour Cat" are from Eliot's "Rhapsody on a Windy Night" (with the substitution of "cat" for "woman"):<ref name=sternfeld367>{{harvnb|Sternfeld|2006|p=367}}</ref>
{{Poemquote |text=Remark the woman Who hesitates toward you in the light of the door Which opens on her like a grin. You see the border of her dress Is torn and stained with sand, And you see the corner of her eye Twists like a crooked pin. |title=Excerpt from "Rhapsody on a Windy Night" |source=T. S. Eliot<ref name="Rhapsody">T. S. Eliot, [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44215/rhapsody-on-a-windy-night "Rhapsody on a Windy Night"], Academy of American Poets. Accessed 18 Aug. 2017.</ref> }}
The song lyric concludes with an unpublished fragment--all that remained of the omitted poem--given to Lloyd Webber by Eliot's widow and literary executor, Valerie Eliot:<ref name="catsalwnunn">{{harvnb|Eliot|Eliot|Lloyd Webber|Nunn|1983|pp=9–10}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Grizabella had "haunted many a low resort," and made the postman sigh "as he scratched his head / You really would have thought she ought to be dead / And who would ever suppose that that / Was Grizabella the Glamour Cat?"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tolentino |first=Jia |date=2019-12-16 |title=The Improbable Insanity of “Cats” |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-improbable-insanity-of-cats |access-date=2025-09-27 |work=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>
LLoyd Webber combined this composite figure with his own interpretation of a letter Eliot had written to his publisher referring to the Jellicle Cats as ballooning "Up, up, up to the Russell Hotel / Up, up, to the Heaviside Layer" (of the ionosphere,originally).<ref>{{Cite web |title=T. S. Eliot |url=https://tseliot.com/ |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=tseliot.com |language=en}}</ref> This pair of concepts transformed Lloyd Webber's musical setting of Eliot's verses for children into a landmark of musical theatre, introducing to a central death-and-rebirth theme not present in any of the Eliot source material.<ref name="griz" /><ref name="unmasked315317" />
Grizabella's song "Memory," is the centerpiece of the show, and is considered to be one of the most successful Broadway musical songs.<ref>{{harvnb|Sternfeld|2006|p=113}}</ref> Trevor Nunn is said to have loosely based its lyrics on Eliot's "Rhapsody," too, completing them only during the show's opening previews in London.<ref name="unmasked315317" />
The song has been recorded hundreds of times by artists including Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Leonora Lewis and Johnny Mathis.<ref>{{harvnb|Sternfeld|2006|pp=125, 157, 163}}</ref>
==Notable performers== The role of Grizabella was originated by Elaine Paige in the West End in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm|title=Original London Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=Really Useful Group|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815020451/http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm |archive-date=15 August 2008}}</ref> She later reprised the role for the 1998 film version. Betty Buckley originated the role in the 1982 Broadway production, earning the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/history/pastwinners/tonys_results.html?lname=Cats|title=Search Past Winners: Keyword Search – "Cats"|publisher=Tony Award|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325130038/https://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/history/pastwinners/tonys_results.html?lname=Cats}}</ref> In 2015, pop singer Nicole Scherzinger was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the West End revival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2015/|title=Olivier Winners 2015|publisher=Official London Theatre|access-date=9 July 2019}}</ref> In the 2016 Broadway revival, Mamie Parris replaced Leona Lewis in the role in October.<ref name=neilsimoncast>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000152-d6f4-d39d-a95f-fef413a00000&type=op#oc|title=Cats, Neil Simon Theatre 250 W. 52nd St., New York, NY – Cast|work=Playbill|access-date=14 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414093110/http://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000152-d6f4-d39d-a95f-fef413a00000&type=op#oc}}</ref>
Notable performers who have played the role of Grizabella include: {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===West End=== * Elaine Paige (original cast)<ref name=stewart117>{{harvnb|Stewart|2014|p=117}}</ref> * Angela Richards (1982)<ref name=stewart117/> * Marti Webb (1983)<ref name=stewart117/> * Anita Harris (1985–1986)<ref name=stewart117/> * Rosemarie Ford (1995)<ref name=stewart117/> * Diane Langton (1996)<ref name=stewart117/> * Stephanie Lawrence (1997)<ref name=stewart117/> * Sally Ann Triplett (1998)<ref name=stewart117/> * Chrissie Hammond (1999–2002)<ref name=stewart117/> * Nicole Scherzinger (2014–2015)<ref name=ellis2015/> * Kerry Ellis (2015)<ref name=ellis2015>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jan/05/cats-nicole-scherzinger-kerry-ellis-andrew-lloyd-webber|title=Cats curls up for longer stay in West End – with Kerry Ellis joining cast|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2015|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|access-date=26 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326100225/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jan/05/cats-nicole-scherzinger-kerry-ellis-andrew-lloyd-webber}}</ref> * Beverley Knight (2015–2016)<ref name=knight/> * Madalena Alberto (2015–2016)<ref name=knight>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Photo-Flash-Beverley-Knight-Stars-in-CATS-Returning-to-London-January-2-20151026|title=Photo Flash: Beverley Knight Stars in CATS, Returning to London, January 2|publisher=BroadwayWorld|date=26 October 2015|access-date=16 May 2019}}</ref>
{{col-2}}
===Broadway=== * Betty Buckley (original cast)<ref name=stewart119>{{harvnb|Stewart|2014|p=119}}</ref> * Laurie Beechman (1984–1988, 1997)<ref name=stewart119/> * Loni Ackerman (1988–1991)<ref name=stewart119/> * Lillias White (1991–1992)<ref name=stewart119/> * Liz Callaway (1993–1999)<ref name=stewart119/> * Linda Balgord (1999–2000)<ref name=stewart119/> * Leona Lewis (2016)<ref name=neilsimoncast/> * Mamie Parris (2016–2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/let-the-memory-live-again-with-a-look-back-at-grizabellas-past|title = Let the Memory Live Again with a Look Back at Grizabellas Past|date = 6 October 2017}}</ref>
===Film=== * Elaine Paige (1998)<ref name=1998cast>{{cite web|url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film|title=1998 Video Cast List|access-date=1 May 2010|publisher=Really Useful Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407095655/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film|archive-date= 7 April 2010}}</ref> * Jennifer Hudson (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/cats-movie-musical-cast-starts-filming/|title=Cats Movie Musical Officially Begins Filming; Full Cast Revealed|publisher=Screen Rant|date=13 December 2018|first=Sandy|last=Schaefer|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> {{col-end}}
===Others=== {{div col|colwidth=35em}} * Kim Criswell (Los Angeles, 1985)<ref name=stewart121>{{harvnb|Stewart|2014|p=121}}</ref> * Jan Horvath (US tour, 1990)<ref name=stewart121/> * Natalie Toro (US tour, 1992 and 1997)<ref name=stewart121/> * Dee Roscioli (US tour, 2002)<ref>{{cite web|last=Lauer-Williams|first=Kathy|date=24 October 2009|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2009-10-24-4464005-story.html|title=Flying High ** Wilson native is Broadway's newest Wicked Witch of the West ** 'Wicked' on Broadway|work=The Morning Call|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519084052/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2009-10-24-4464005-story.html|archive-date=19 May 2019|access-date=20 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> * Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (US regional, 2003 and 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/music-circus-summer-season-to-include-omalley-von-essen-page-piro-lanier-and-more-com-113912|title=Music Circus Summer Season to Include O'Malley, von Essen, Page, Piro, Lanier and More|work=Playbill|date=23 June 2003|first=Andrew|last=Gans|access-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601152816/http://www.playbill.com/article/music-circus-summer-season-to-include-omalley-von-essen-page-piro-lanier-and-more-com-113912}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/music-circus-season-to-feature-beach-davi-lee-denman-charles-page-and-more-com-161433|title=Music Circus Season to Feature Beach, Davi, Lee, Denman, Charles, Page and More|work=Playbill|date=2 June 2009|first=Andrew|last=Gans|access-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601153512/http://www.playbill.com/article/music-circus-season-to-feature-beach-davi-lee-denman-charles-page-and-more-com-161433}}</ref> * Stephanie J. Block (US regional, 2010)<ref name=themuny>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/munys-cats-with-block-page-teeter-dunn-dudding-begins-july-19-com-170113|title=Muny's Cats, with Block, Page, Teeter, Dunn, Dudding, Begins July 19|work=Playbill|date=19 July 2010|first=Andrew|last=Gans|access-date=15 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519083653/http://www.playbill.com/article/munys-cats-with-block-page-teeter-dunn-dudding-begins-july-19-com-170113}}</ref> * Taylor Dayne (New York, 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/171301/watch-taylor-dayne-glam-it-up-as-grizabella-in-cats/ |title=Watch Taylor Dayne Glam It Up as Grizabella in Cats | Broadway Buzz |publisher=Broadway.com |date=2013-08-22 |access-date=2015-05-05}}</ref> * Paula Lima (Brazil, 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/diversao/arte-e-cultura/pensei-muito-se-eu-realmente-daria-conta-diz-paula-lima-sobre-cats,92b8078553a7a310VgnCLD200000bbcceb0aRCRD.html|title="Pensei muito se eu realmente daria conta", diz Paula Lima sobre 'Cats'|trans-title="I thought a lot if I really would," says Paula Lima about 'Cats'|language=pt|publisher=Terra (Brazil)|date=25 March 2010|first=Gustavo|last=Pelogia|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325072436/https://www.terra.com.br/diversao/arte-e-cultura/pensei-muito-se-eu-realmente-daria-conta-diz-paula-lima-sobre-cats,92b8078553a7a310VgnCLD200000bbcceb0aRCRD.html}}</ref> * María del Sol (México, 1991–1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proceso.com.mx/195165/las-siete-vidas-de-cats|title=Las siete vidas de CATS|trans-title=The seven lives of CATS|work=Proceso|date=7 August 2005|language=es|access-date=20 April 2019|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419190359/https://www.proceso.com.mx/195165/las-siete-vidas-de-cats|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Filippa Giordano (México, 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/922227.html|title=Gerardo Quiroz graduates with premiere of Cats|language=es|work=El Universal|location=Mexico City|date=10 May 2013|url-status=live|access-date=3 June 2019|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603033236/http://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/922227.html}}</ref> * Lisset (México, 2014)<ref name=forbesmx2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com.mx/cats-teatro-mexicano-con-talla-de-broadway/|title=Cats, teatro mexicano con talla de Broadway|language=es|work=Forbes (Mexico)|date=16 May 2014|first=Viridiana|last=Mendoza Escamilla|access-date=3 June 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603032223/https://www.forbes.com.mx/cats-teatro-mexicano-con-talla-de-broadway/}}</ref> * Rocío Banquells (México, 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.informador.mx/Entretenimiento/Rocio-Banquells-cumple-su-suenode-participar-en-Cats-20140720-0089.html|title=Rocío Banquells cumple su sueño de participar en 'Cats'|work=El Informador|language=es|date=20 July 2014|access-date=3 June 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603035417/https://www.informador.mx/Entretenimiento/Rocio-Banquells-cumple-su-sueno-de-participar-en-Cats-20140720-0089.html}}</ref> * Lila Deneken (México)<ref name=mex2013/> * Myriam Montemayor Cruz (México)<ref name=mex2013>{{cite web|url=https://vanguardia.com.mx/landetaaseguraqueelencodecatssuperaalde1991-1734081.html|title=Landeta asegura que elenco de Cats supera al de 1991|trans-title=Landeta ensures that cast of Cats exceeds 1991|language=es|work=Vanguardia MX|date=6 May 2013|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325061545/https://vanguardia.com.mx/landetaaseguraqueelencodecatssuperaalde1991-1734081.html}}</ref> * Yuri (México, 2018–2019)<ref name=mexico2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/gossip/yuri-dara-vida-a-grizabella-en-el-musical-cats-1933894.html|title=Yuri dará vida a Grizabella en el musical Cats|trans-title=Yuri will play Grizabella in the musical Cats|language=es|work=El Sol De Mexico|date=22 August 2018|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325060545/https://www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/gossip/yuri-dara-vida-a-grizabella-en-el-musical-cats-1933894.html}}</ref> * Ute Lemper (Vienna, 1983)<ref name=utelemper>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Ute-Lemper-to-Bring-SONGS-FROM-THE-BROKEN-HEART-to-Feinsteins54-Below-This-Weekend-20170106|title=Ute Lemper to Bring Songs from the Broken Heart to Feinstein's/54 Below This Weekend|publisher=BroadwayWorld|date=6 January 2017|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> * Maarja-Liis Ilus * Di Botcher * Yukimi Shimura (Original Japanese Cast) * Monica Aspelund (Finland, 1986)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ovrtur.com/production/2901283|title=Cats: Helsinki Production (1986)|work=Ovrtur|access-date=17 April 2019}}</ref> * Pia Douwes (Vienna and The Netherlands, 1987–1989 and 2006)<ref name=piadouwes>{{cite web|url=http://www.piadouwes.com/en/curriculum-vitae/|title=Curriculum Vitae|work=piadouwes.com|access-date=17 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=netherlands2006>{{cite web|url=https://www.stage-entertainment.com/productions/qQ3G4QvmpxXw0/|title=Cats: 2006 Rotterdam|publisher=Stage Entertainment|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928194235/https://www.stage-entertainment.com/productions/qQ3G4QvmpxXw0/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Ruth Jacott (Original Netherlands cast, 1987)<ref name=netherlands2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.rai.nl/en/RAI-Amsterdam/nieuwsbericht/English-version-of-West-End-musical-CATS-still-popular|title=English Version of West End Musical Cats Still Popular|publisher=Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre|date=20 June 2018|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325055148/https://www.rai.nl/en/RAI-Amsterdam/nieuwsbericht/English-version-of-West-End-musical-CATS-still-popular}}</ref> * Akiko Kuno (Japan, 1983–85) * Mikiko Shiraki (Japan)
* Masako Saito (Japan) * Vera Mann (The Netherlands, 2006) * Ruthie Henshall * Yasuko Sado (Japan) * Sayoko Hayami (Japan) * Yukie Yokoyama (Japan) * Yuri Sawa (Japan, 2004) * Anita Meyer (The Netherlands, 2006)<ref name=netherlands2006/> * Pernilla Wahlgren (Sweden, 2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/a/G1M084/efter-20-ar-nu-far-pernilla-sjunga-memory-i-cats|title=Efter 20 år – nu får Pernilla sjunga "Memory" i "Cats"|work=Aftonbladet|date=28 August 2003|first=Fredrik|last=Sperling|access-date=6 August 2019}}</ref> * Rikako Orikasa (Japan, 2007–09, 2010–12, 2013, 2019–2020, 2022) * Katarína Hasprová (Slovakia, 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cas.sk/clanok/377920/muzikalova-diva-katarina-hasprova-pravda-o-rivalstve-so-sklovskou/|title=Muzikálová diva Katarína Hasprová: Pravda o rivalstve so Sklovskou!|trans-title=Musical Diva Katarína Hasprová: The Truth About Rivalry with Sklovská!|language=sk|work=Nový čas|date=28 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325083419/https://www.cas.sk/clanok/377920/muzikalova-diva-katarina-hasprova-pravda-o-rivalstve-so-sklovskou/}}</ref> * Honoka Suzuki (Japan, 2012–13) * Aya Kawamura (Japan, 2013–15) * Joanna Ampil (European Tour 2013, 2016–17)<ref name=uktour2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.catsthemusical.com/the-show/cast-lists/ukeurope-tour-2013/|title=Cast Lists: UK/Europe tour, 2013|publisher=catsthemusical.com (official website)|url-status=dead|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-date=25 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525082539/http://www.catsthemusical.com/the-show/cast-lists/ukeurope-tour-2013/}}</ref> * Sophia Ragavelas (European Tour 2013–15) * Kei Miyahara (Japan, 2015) * Dianne Pilkington (UK tour, 2006)<ref name=uktour2006cast>{{cite web|url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/cats-uk-tour-2006|title=Cast lists: UK Tour, 2006|publisher=Really Useful Group|access-date=26 March 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205020116/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/cats-uk-tour-2006}}</ref> * Susan McFadden * Chiaki Kimura (Japan, 2015–2018, 2022) * Jane McDonald (UK Tour, 2015)<ref>{{cite web|last=Hill |first=Patrick |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/jane-mcdonald-lands-nicole-scherzingers-5377557 |title=Jane McDonald lands Nicole Scherzinger's sexy Cats role after wowing composer Andrew Lloyd Webber - 3am & Mirror Online |work=Mirror|date=2015-03-21 |access-date=2015-05-05}}</ref> * Anita Louise Combe (UK and European Tour, 2016–2017) * Chimene Badi (Paris, 2016) * Nao Matsumoto (Japan, 2016–2020) * Jenna Lee-James (UK and European Tour, 2017–2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/entertainment/2818423/hoofdrol-voor-jenna-lee-james-in-nederlandse-cats|title=Hoofdrol voor Jenna Lee-James in Nederlandse Cats|work=De Telegraaf|date=19 November 2018|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref> * Li-Tong Hsu (International Tour 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tour.catsthemusical.com/people/li-tong-hsu/|title=Li-Tong Hsu • Cats the Musical • International Tour}}</ref>
* Bev Harrell (Australia/New Zealand), 1989/1990<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acaentertainment.com.au/bevharrell_1.html|title=Bev Harrell|publisher=ACA Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030525202113/http://www.acaentertainment.com.au/bevharrell_1.html|archive-date=25 May 2003}}</ref> * Delia Hannah (Australia, 1994, 1999, and 2016)<ref name=hannah2016>{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/cats-news-delia-hannah-confirmed-to-play-grizabella-in-adelaide-perth|title=CATS news: Delia Hannah confirmed to play Grizabella in Adelaide & Perth|date=17 January 2016|first=Matt|last=Edwards|publisher=AussieTheatre|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325070621/https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/cats-news-delia-hannah-confirmed-to-play-grizabella-in-adelaide-perth}}</ref> * Marina Prior (Australia, 2014)<ref name=brisbane2014>{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/cats|title=CATS – Harvest Rain Breaks Records|date=5 July 2014|publisher=AussieTheatre|first=Bobbi-Lea|last=Dionysius|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325081525/https://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/cats}}</ref> * Delta Goodrem (Australia, 2015–2016)<ref name=hannah2016/> * Debra Byrne (Original Australian cast, 1985)<ref name=stewart121/> * Lea Salonga (Manila, 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Lea-Salonga-Plays-Grizabella-the-Philippines-724-page6|title=Lea Salonga Plays 'Grizabella' the Philippines, 7/24|publisher=BroadwayWorld (Philippines)|date=24 July 2010|first=Oliver|last=Oliveros|access-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190325075128/https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Lea-Salonga-Plays-Grizabella-the-Philippines-724-page6}}</ref> * Louise Dearman (Cyprus) * Erin Cornell (South Korea, Singapore, Macau, 2014-15 / Australia (Standy) 2015-16) * Masae Ebata (Japan, 2017–2022) * Shin Youngsook (South Korea, 2008–2009)<ref name=sk2008>{{cite web|url=http://www.playdb.co.kr/playdb/playdbDetail.asp?sReqPlayno=4806|title=캣츠 CATS (2008/09/19 ~ 2009/01/18)|language=ko|publisher=플레이 DB|access-date=19 April 2019}}</ref> * Ock Joo-hyun (South Korea, 2008–2009)<ref name=sk2008/> * Insooni (South Korea, 2011–2012)<ref name=2011korea/><ref name=2012korea/> * Park Hae-mi (South Korea, 2011–2012)<ref name=2011korea>[http://www.playdb.co.kr/playdb/PlaydbDetail.asp?sReqPlayNo=24676 "캣츠 – 이천 CATS (2011/08/26 ~ 2011/08/28)"] (in Korean). 플레이 DB. Retrieved 19 April 2019.</ref><ref name=2012korea>[http://www.playdb.co.kr/playdb/PlaydbDetail.asp?sReqPlayNo=33636 "캣츠 – 제주 Musical CATS (2012/04/20 ~ 2012/04/22)"] (in Korean). 플레이 DB. Retrieved 19 April 2019.</ref> * Silvie Paladino (Malaysia) * Miki Kanehara (Japan, 2019, 2020–2025) * Emma Hatton (UK Tour, 2018) * Lucy O'Byrne (UK Tour, 2018–2019) * Keri René Fuller (US Tour, 2019–2020) * Donna Vivino (US Tour, 2020) * Jacinta Whyte (UK and International Tour, 2021–2022) * Jacintha Abisheganaden (Singapore, 1993)<ref name=singapore2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/keep-kallang-theatre|title=Keep Kallang Theatre|publisher=AsiaOne|date=13 August 2014|first=Lisabel|last=Ting|access-date=19 April 2019}}</ref> * Slindile Nodangala (International Tour 2004)<ref name=beijing2004cast>{{cite web|url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/cats-beijing-2004|title=Cast lists: Beijing, 2004|publisher=Really Useful Group|access-date=26 March 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413132524/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/cats-beijing-2004}}</ref> * Lucy May Barker (International Tour 2024-2025) * "Temptress" Chasity Moore (''Cats: "The Jellicle Ball"'' off-Broadway 2024) * Nikki Biddington (International Tour 2025) {{div col end}}
==In popular culture== Madame Tussauds New York features a wax figure of Grizabella that sings "Memory".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/06/05/broadway-fans-love-new-immersive-madame-tussauds-exhibit/1353802001/|title=Broadway fans will love this new immersive Madame Tussauds exhibit featuring 'Cats,' 'Phantom,' 'Big' and more|work=USA Today|date=5 June 2019|access-date=5 July 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
===Print sources=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|title=Cats: The Book of the Musical|first1=T. S.|last1=Eliot|author-link1=T. S. Eliot|first2=Valerie|last2=Eliot|author-link2=Valerie Eliot|first3=Andrew|last3=Lloyd Webber|author-link3=Andrew Lloyd Webber|first4=Trevor|last4=Nunn|author-link4=Trevor Nunn|first5=Gillian|last5=Lynne|author-link5=Gillian Lynne|first6=John|last6=Napier|author-link6=John Napier (designer)|year=1983|publisher=Harvest Books|isbn=978-0156155823}} * {{cite book|title=Unmasked: A Memoir|first=Andrew|last=Lloyd Webber|author-link=Andrew Lloyd Webber|year=2018|publisher=Harper|isbn=978-0062424204}} * {{cite thesis |last=Siropoulos |first=Vagelis |title=The Ideology and Aesthetics of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Musicals: From Broadway Musical to the British Megamusical |type=PhD thesis|publisher=Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |year=2008|url=http://ikee.lib.auth.gr/record/110429/files/GRI-2009-2136.pdf}} * {{cite book|title=The Megamusical|first=Jessica|last=Sternfeld|year=2006|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-34793-0}} * {{cite book|title=Broadway Musicals, 1943–2004, (2 volume set)|chapter=128. Cats|publisher=McFarland & Company|date=2014|first=John|last=Stewart|isbn=978-0786495658}} {{refend}}
==External links== * [http://www.poetry-archive.com/e/rhapsody_on_a_windy_night.html Rhapsody on a Windy Night] by T.S. Eliot
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Category:Characters in Cats (musical) Category:Female characters in musical theatre Category:Anthropomorphic cats