Tonight is the annual celebration in which a cat is chosen to be reborn to a new Jellicle Life. In Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, the cats tell about themselves.

Then in The Naming of Cats, cats have three different names. The first one is the one the family uses, the second is more special, and the third only the cat knows and will never confess.

Then Victoria, a young white cat, has a solo dance at the beginning of The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball. Munkustrap explains why Jellicle Cats reunite annually. Then they wait for Old Deuteronomy, their tribe leader, to make what is known as the Jellicle Choice.

Next in The Old Gumbie Cat, Jennyanydots is a cat who sits all day. At night, she becomes active and teaches the mice crochet and music. She also trains the cockroaches to be well-disciplined.

Along comes The Rum Tum Tugger. He's kind of wild, but the female cats are quite attracted to him. He's very picky and is never quite satisfied where he is or what he has.

Then Grizabella the Glamour Cat makes her entrance. She is a Jellicle, but she left the tribe a long time ago for the outside world. Apparently, doing such a thing was forbidden, so all cats are told to keep their distance from her. She used to be a beautiful cat, but now has a tattered and torn coat of fur.

The next cat is Bustopher Jones who wears white spats and spends his time eating, making him unusually overweight. He gets most of his provisions from the clubs or pubs he goes to.

Out of nowhere there's a loud crash, caused by Macavity. The other cats, being frightened, hurry off to hide.

A little bit later, a giggle is heard off-stage. Along comes Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer who are notorious cats that live with a family. They're always causing mischief, but the family can't do much about it.

Old Deuteronomy enters. The Jellicles respect him greatly. To welcome Old Deuteronomy, Munkustrap has constructed a show for him called The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles. In it, Munkustrap is the narrator and the other cats dress up as dogs, barking at each other until the Great Rumpus Cat, a cat with black fur and glowing red eyes appears causing them to scatter off.

Another crash by Macavity sends the cats scurrying. Old Deuteronomy beckons the cats to return. Then The Jellicle Ball begins.

Later, Grizabella sings of a time when she was younger and knew what happiness was in the song Grizabella, hoping to persuade the cats to let her back in the tribe.

Continue to Act Two