Ep412 - Ian Knauer & Mike Abrams: Was Old Deuteronomy the Right Jellicle Choice?

When two podcasts collide, the conversation gets wild — and that’s exactly what happened when Mike Abrams of The Wrong Cat Died joined me for this crossover episode with actor Ian Knauer. We cover Ian’s journey through Broadway, the West End, regional theater, and even his time performing on Disney Cruise Line. Along the way, Ian shares the perseverance it took to finally land Cats after years of auditioning, what it was like stepping into the role of Jafar at sea, and how those experiences shaped his career both onstage and off.

Of course, with Mike in the room, we couldn’t resist diving headfirst into the eternal Cats debate — was Grizabella really the right choice, or did the wrong cat die? Ian makes a compelling case for Old Deuteronomy, and things only get livelier from there. From cruise ship lore to Broadway memories to a game of “Did the Wrong Cat Die?” reimagined with iconic stage and screen deaths, this episode is equal parts thoughtful and hilarious.

As promised, here's the video to James Cameron proving Jack could have survived on the door with Rose when the Titanic sunk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1mYHQZcD70

Ian Knauer’s career spans Broadway (Anastasia), the West End (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), national tours, regional theater (Cats, White Christmas), and concert and film appearances. A University of Michigan graduate, he has also performed with Disney Cruise Line as a Broadway guest artist, where he delighted audiences as Jafar in Aladdin and beyond.

This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

Connect with Ian and Mike:

• Ian's Instagram: @theianknauer
• Ian's website: www.ian-knauer.com
• Mike Abrams’ podcast: The Wrong Cat Died
• Mike Abrams' Instagram: @thewrongcatdied

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