Theater News

Cute (but Not the Cutest) Kitten Cast in Broadway's You Can't Take It With You

Alfonso will star alongside James Earl Jones, Rose Byrne, and Annaleigh Ashford.

Rose Byrne and Elizabeth Ashley cuddle with Alfonso, one lucky cat.
Rose Byrne and Elizabeth Ashley cuddle with Alfonso, one lucky cat.
(© David Gordon)

After a grueling day of auditions, acting partners and brothers Alfonso and Louis were overwhelmed at the news that they would be starring in You Can't Take It With You on Broadway opposite the likes of James Earl Jones, Rose Byrne, and Annaleigh Ashford. "We could never have anticipated this," mewed Louis, "because we're cats."

Rose Byrne and Henrietta share a quiet, calm cuddle.
Rose Byrne and Henrietta share a quiet, calm cuddle.
(© David Gordon)

Alfonso (who scored the bigger part) and Louis may also have been surprised to have been chosen because they were objectively not the cutest kittens on hand. With giant green eyes and a two-tone face, little Henrietta clearly won that award. But apparently looks aren't all that counts on Broadway (this isn't Hollywood after all). Theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni explained to the Daily News, "We're looking for quiet and calm kittens."

Henrietta looks like she's cuddling Rose Byrne pretty calmly in this photo from the event. Maybe she was a chatterbox? Probably not, though, because she's a cat. Regardless, it was Alfonso who ended up snagging the part. He and Louis will no doubt do Berloni proud during their four weeks on Broadway – at which point they'll be replaced with younger kittens. Man, this business is tough.

Henrietta was robbed.

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