Sydney James Harcourt, a self-proclaimed not a revival guy found himself drawn to an unconventional reimagining of a classic musical. The opportunity to audition for Cats: The Jellicle Ball a queer ball culture interpretation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats presented a unique challenge and a chance for Harcourt to shine.
The musical, based on T.S. Eliot’s poems about the Jellicle cats, was being reimagined off-Broadway through the lens of queer ball culture. This concept resonated with Harcourt, a club enthusiast and admirer of choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons. His audition landed him the role of the hard-to-please Rum Tum Tugger, reinvented as a jockstrap-sporting feline hunk. The show’s success led to a Broadway transfer in the spring, earning nine Tony Award nominations and winning three.
Harcourt’s Connection to Cats and Ballroom Culture
Harcourt’s initial exposure to Cats was through childhood memories of commercials and Barbra Streisand’s recording of Memory. His first glimpse of the show was through a roommate’s clips, which he found incomprehensible. However, his love for cats and fascination with ballroom culture made this reimagining of Cats a perfect fit.
“When you think about Cats, it is about competition,” Harcourt explains. “It’s a bunch of acts, and throughout the night, which act is going to be most successful?” This competitive spirit aligns with the ballroom environment, making the reimagining a natural choice.
The Evolution of the Rum Tum Tugger
Harcourt’s interpretation of the Rum Tum Tugger was unique. Described as an equal opportunity slut Tugger flirts with all types of cats on stage and even interacts with audience members. Harcourt aimed to make Tugger relatable and goofy, breaking away from the typical portrayal of Tugger as a sexy, distant figure.
“I wanted to make him relatable to the other cats onstage,” Harcourt says. “Generally, Tugger is not part of the group in most shows. He’s either up on his throne surrounded by sexy kittens around him who want him or he’s offstage. So I made him a little goofy.”
The Realness of Tugger
In the ballroom community, Tugger’s category is realness specifically pretty-boy realness. Harcourt drew inspiration from pop stars like Usher, George Michael, and Prince to embody this realness. However, he was careful to avoid the problematic aspects of realness, which often involve hiding one’s true self.
“Pretty boys are never going to win, because pretty boys are considered softer,” Harcourt explains. “I definitely didn’t want that for Tugger. That’s not how he solves disputes. Somebody who’s really secure in their own realness and what they are portraying doesn’t feel like fighting is necessary.”
Embracing Sexiness and Self-Discovery
Harcourt’s journey with the role of Tugger led to a significant personal transformation. Growing up overweight with bad acne and feeling like an outsider, he never considered himself sexy. However, playing Tugger helped him embrace his attractiveness and realize that being perceived as sexy doesn’t make him narcissistic.
“I knew I was conventionally attractive, but I didn’t feel attractive because of how I had grown up,” Harcourt admits. “When I started doing Tugger off-Broadway, the audience was just buying it from the first day, but I was like, ‘Oh, that’s just because it’s the first preview.’ And then it just kept happening.”
This newfound confidence extended to his wardrobe choices during tech rehearsals. Harcourt began wearing gay club attire, like a rhinestone chainmail shirt, which eventually influenced his onstage look for the Jellicle Ball number.
Staying in Shape and Enjoying Downtime
To prepare for the physically demanding role, Harcourt maintained a strict fitness regimen. He had previously worked with a personal trainer for a movie role and continued the routine, finding it beneficial for his health and Broadway performances.
“It’s very easy because it takes the thinking out of eating,” Harcourt says. “As for discipline? Just get somebody to tell you that you’re going to appear in a thong in front of 1,200 people eight times a week. That’ll do it.”
When not performing, Harcourt enjoys downtime at his cottage in Northern Michigan. He plays video games, takes his cat for walks, and spends leisurely time doing things he loves. This balance helps him stay grounded and enjoy his free time.
