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Jennyanydots, the Gumbie cat

I have a gumbie cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots.
Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes and leopard spots.
All day she sits beneath the stairs, or on the steps, or on the mat.
She sits and sits and sits and sits and that's what makes her Gumbie Cat.
That's makes her Gumbie Cat.

But
When the day's hustle and bustle is done,
then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun.
and when all the family's bed and asleep,
she tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep.
She is deeply concerned with the ways of the mice:
Their behavior's not and their manners not nice!
And when ahe has got them lined up on the matting,
she teaches them music, crocheting and tatting.
Jennyanydots is also a kind of "mother" to the tribe.
She along with Jelylorum, looks after the jounger cats and kittens and keeps them safe.
She is also known as "The Gumbie cat." All day she sits and sits and sits.
She teaches the mice music, crocheting and tatting. She's even formed a Beetles Tatoo!
Jennyanydots seems to have the natural ability to take charge of the kittens
and even become their protector when she feels there's a possibility of any trouble nearby.
She is respected and admired, especially from Skimbleshanks and Jellylorum.
Jennyanydots even has a deep fodness for Bustopher Jones.
She finds him extremely charming and dashing when he makes his annual visit to Jellicles.
Even when (at the end of Bustopher's song) there is a possible threat of Macavity appearance,
The Gumbie Cat come to the protection of Bustopher.
She also cares dearly for Old-D.

Jennyanydots isn't quite as mother henish as her friend Jellylorum,
and when she gets an idea in her head, she gets it done.
She can also tap dance, a surprising trait in an old cat...
not to mention the tendency toward orange fringe, which brings flappers to mind.
She is introduced by Munkustrap, after the invitation to the Jellicle Ball,
but the faster part of her song is sung by Bombalurina, Jellylorum, and depening the show, Cassandra or Demeter.
During her song the Cats dress up as mice and cockroaches... an interesting sight.

She devotes her time to ensuring that the Jellicles and the other creatures
in their world are happy and productive.
In her spare time, she is a formidable tap dancer!

Jennyanydots is definitely a singing character, and is cast as such.
While Jenny is the Leader of the tap dance and does show up in a number of the other dances,
she isn't a heavy-duty dancer.

In at least two versions of the show-- Budapest and Paris,--Jennyanydots doubles as Griddlebone
during the "Growltiger's last stand" number.
The role is udually played by Jellylorum.

Actresses playing Jennyanydots may understudy Grizabella.

Jennyanydot's tap costume is covered with thousands of sewn beads from head to toe.
Along with Misto's magic coat, it is a high-maitenance outfit and cannot be worn for long periods of time.

Having trouble finding Jenny onstage once she has put away her tap costume and bathrope?
Look for the cat that is kissed/gets the flower from Bustopher Jones.

She is played By:

  • Anna McKneely: Original Broadway cast, 1982.
  • Mari Kiss: Original Budapest cast,c.1983-84.
  • Pat Pitney: Original Sydney cast, 1985.
  • Marie Illes: Original Paris Cast,1989.
  • Carol Dilley: Broadway cast, 1990's.
  • Susie McKenna: London Cast c.1998; Video, 1997-98.


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