“Cats: The Jellicle Ball” has announced a full calendar of events for Pride in 2026, culminating in a performance at the NYC Pride March. The cast of the Broadway revival will perform music and dance from the show to open the event on June 28.
The performance is presented in association with Heritage of Pride, the nonprofit organization that has produced New York City’s Pride events since 1984. The performance will also be covered live by WABC-TV.
“‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ is deeply indebted to the queer icons, especially the Black and Brown trans women who pioneered Ballroom,” Tony Award-nominated choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons said in a joint statement. “While Pride is a time to celebrate, we must never forget it originated as an act of resistance. As a community, we must continue to give back, support and uplift those that nurtured us and made all of this possible.”
“Cats” has also launched a merchandising partnership to celebrate Pride and benefit LGBTQ+-related nonprofits. As of June 1, the musical has partnered with Gay Pride Apparel to release a limited merchandise collection available at the Broadhurst Theatre’s merchandise kiosks, and via the musical’s official online store. Proceeds from the collection will benefit Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which provides healthcare and related services targeted to LGBTQ+ people in New York.
“Cats”’ full Pride calendar for June 2026 is below.
- June 1: The LGBT Community Center in the West Village featured “Cats” during its Fashion Centered gala, an annual fundraising event that benefits the Center’s services for the LGBTQ+ community in New York.
- June 8: Tony-nominated costume designer Qween Jean and “Cats” cast members Nora Schell and B Noel Thomas will participate in Judson Memorial Church’s “Broadway Is Trans” cabaret. This event benefits Black Trans Liberation, a service organization that aims to end homelessness and food insecurity within the trans community.
- June 9 and 11: “Cats” cast members Emma Sofia and Bryce Farris will lead a masterclass at Ballet Tech, New York’s public dance school.
- June 15: Cast member and ballroom pioneer Junior LaBeija, along with co-producer Lena Waithe, will host a screening of the ballroom documentary “Paris Is Burning” at the Ned NYC. LaBeija and Waithe will also host a post-screening talkback.
- June 18: A performance of “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre will feature a post-show talkback presented by the Stonewall Community Foundation and the LGBTQ Community Center, and moderated by the Foundation’s executive director, Elise Crespo.
- June 19: “Cats” will host the after-party of the 2026 Native Son Awards, an annual celebration of the accomplishments of Black queer men.
- June 22: The cast of “Cats” will perform at Future Icons, an event presented by the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQIA+ Youth.
- June 24: The cast will perform at the annual Pride Party hosted by the Beekman hotel.
- June 28: The cast will open the 2026 NYC Pride March with a performance from the show.
In addition, the musical has announced plans to partner with the Theater District cookie shop Schmackary’s as part of the bakery’s own Pride celebrations. Further details of the partnership will be announced.
