In Conversation with CATS’s Grizabella, Cindy-Ann Abraham

The highly anticipated return of the smash-hit musical CATS opens this week

After enchanting more than 73 million theatregoers across six continents since its groundbreaking 1981 West End premiere, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revolutionary musical masterpiece CATS The Musical returns to South African stages to mesmerize audiences with its intoxicating blend of spectacular choreography, unforgettable music, and pure theatrical magic. Together with a fantastical oversized set, inspired choreography, and mischievous costumes, CATS The Musical  is a brilliant song-and-dance spectacular not to be missed.

Grizabella is arguably the most emotionally complex and pivotal character in CATS The Musical, serving as the heart of the show’s central theme of memory, acceptance, and redemption. Known as “The Glamour Cat,” she is a once-beautiful, celebrated member of the Jellicle tribe who has fallen from grace and now returns seeking acceptance and a second chance. Taking on the role of Grizabella is Cindy-Ann Abrahams (Evita the Musical, Calling Us Home, The Sound of Music, Disney’s The Magic Box) who we caught up with during rehearsals.

What drew you to audition for CATS?

I first heard about the CATS audition from a dear friend who encouraged me to give it a try. I’d always loved the music — growing up, I sang “Memory” in choir after choir — so saying yes felt natural. Still, I’m genuinely grateful that she pushed me. Without her, I might not have taken that step.

What was your initial reaction when you found out you had been cast?

I absolutely exploded into tears. My first reaction wasn’t even human — it was this tiny, squeaky shout that only dogs three suburbs away could hear. This is the dream for me, so of course I wept like someone who just found out Beyoncé knows their name. And honestly, I still have to punch myself sometimes — gently! — just to make sure it’s real. Not many people get to do what they truly love, so every day feels like a wild, overwhelming mix of gratitude and “is this actually my life?”

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score and T.S. Eliot’s timeless poetry offer audience’s glimpses into each cat’s backstory, yet so much remains beautifully open to interpretation. How are you building your character’s backstory during rehearsals? (What research or personal imagination did you draw upon? / What hidden details about your cat’s life have you imagined that informs your performance?)

Grizabella’s story is deeply human. Yes, she made choices that led to her circumstances, but at her core she’s simply searching for acceptance and love. There are Grizabellas all around us — people who’ve made mistakes and are quietly hoping for redemption. I draw from those honest, vulnerable parts of her journey. I’m no stranger to pain myself, so I often have to revisit those emotional places to bring her to life. It’s a transformative process — truly a journey like no other.

What has been the most rewarding (and challenging) part for you when it comes to building the chemistry and ensemble connection required for such an iconic, character-driven production?

It’s an extraordinary honour to step into a role with so much history and heart. I’m constantly aware of the remarkable women who have carried Grizabella before me, and it feels both humbling and thrilling to add my own voice to that legacy. With such a supportive cast and creative team, I’m inspired to bring real authenticity and vulnerability to her story.

The biggest challenge is the isolation the role sometimes demands — but the reward is my company. My castmates and everyone involved are incredibly talented and endlessly supportive. I truly couldn’t ask for a better team.

The choreography in CATS is famously athletic and feline-inspired. How do you prepare physically to embody the movements of your character, (from a twitch of an ear, to the way you interact with the stage floor), while maintaining stamina throughout rehearsals and performances?

We begin each day with a full physical and vocal warm-up, then head straight into “cat school” — our training on how to become cats. We study everything: how a cat moves, how the senses in its ears and back guide its instincts, how the body coils in fear and softens in safety. Using all of this, we slowly rediscover ourselves through feline movement and behaviour. It’s surprisingly deep, fascinating, and even a little mind-shifting.

Our warm-ups are tailored specifically to the demands of the show, helping us build and maintain the stamina needed for what I honestly call the Olympics of musical theatre.

The CATS score is iconic and demanding. What techniques or approaches have you used to balance the vocal requirements with the physicality of the show? Do you have a favourite(s)?

I approach ‘Memory’ as Grizabella’s emotional confession — it’s not just a song, it’s her life. I focus on truth over perfection, letting the emotion shape the voice. It begins in reflection and ends in courage, showing her journey from isolation to hope. My goal is for the audience to feel her story, not just hear it.

If your character could give one piece of wisdom (or playful life lesson) to the audience, what would it be, and why?

I think Griz would say, “I learned the hard way that glamour fades, applause dies, and crowds move on..but the soul waits for you to come home. Life will humble you. It will take you places you neer thought you’d survive. But the moment you choose to truly forgive yourself  the light you thought you’d lost will return.“

‘For audiences who may be experiencing CATS for the first time, or returning after many years, what can they expect from this production?

Audiences experiencing CATS for the first time — or returning after years — can expect a world that feels both familiar and completely magical. It’s a show full of incredible physicality, powerful vocals, and characters who each carry their own story and heart.

You can expect breathtaking choreography, unforgettable music, and a kind of immersive storytelling that pulls you right into the Jellicle world. Whether you’re new or nostalgic, CATS offers something timeless: joy, emotion, laughter, mystery, and moments that stay with you long after the curtain falls.

It’s not just a musical — it’s an experience.