Out of all the munkustrap's. Michael is the best version of him. His voice and personality really suited the character perfectly ..The make up was amazing as well
Hello, it's 2020 and i just wanted to let everyone know that somebody still loves michael gruber's munkustrap, he was absolutely THE BEST munk that has ever been. Great talent, personality, beautiful voice and damn, he has the most beautiful eyes and smile I've ever seen
Shame I can only like this video ONCE. Munk is my favorite cat. Still trying to collect the why's. There is something about his regal, protective, yet kind stance. Paired with the gentle smile that could only be done by Gruber, Munk was meant to be played by him and him alone. Munk, Etcetera and Deuteronomy are the top three cats which make me smile by their presence alone. Oh yes...and quite a looker. My god, that smile.
Emma Garcia a lot of broadway and circus performers have to do their own make up for this very reason actually. It makes the the character feel more personal to the performer
Munkustrap is by far the best character in Cats. and Gruber's voice is perfect for it! I've always loved the part where he sings about "The jellicle choice", as in the end of this video. Too bad my favourite part begins just after that part :) "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer full of wonders..."
I saw him in CATS on Broadway as a little girl (11), Jacob Brent was also in the cast...I was OBSESSED with Michael Gruber...and Jacob Brent, but mostly Michael, having watched the VHS 5x a day, every day. Munkustrap was always my favorite. When I walked into the theatre and saw his name, I started to cry. My parents got us (my 3 siblings, my parents and myself) great seats- second row center orchestra on the aisle. Towards the end, probably Mr. Mistoffelees, he came into the audience and went right up to me. I held on to him so tightly, to the point where he had to say "sweetheart, I have to go finish the show". Afterwards, at the stage door, I was so excited to meet him, I cried my little heart out and hugged him, while he signed other people's playbills on top of my head. Later, I would meet him again after Swing! on Broadway AND after a performance of White Christmas on tour in Boston. He is the NICEST man.
5:23 SIR ARE YOU AWARE THAT I LOVE YOU but honestly, I think Michael is the best Munkustrap I've ever seen. Andy from the 2016 revival is a very close second, but Michael will always be my favorite
WOW!!! I've always loved Munkustrap sooo much - Michael Gruber portrays him really well...so handsome, gorgeous, have a goregous and glorious singing voice, and can act and dance awfully well, too. And this interview...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, UTTERLY 100% GORGEOUS!!! I love him so much! And just so you know, I don't usually get excited over guys' bodies..but this is different. EEEEEEEEEP!!! WOW!!!
I used to watch this all the time when I was younger! It scared the crap out of me.. But the mysterious aspect of it always had me wanting to watch it over and over. :)
I would love to meet him in person! He's one of my idols to go into theater acting someday; he's an incredible dancer and singer! *sighs* and he's the most talented munkustrap ever!
LOL hes the same age as my mum... O.o Gruber is the best ever Munkustrap and nobody can replace him!!! lol after seeing this I painted my dad's face like Munk and mine like Cety and we walked around the supermarket... ppl who don't mind making a spectacle of themselves should try it - eveyone is so friendly and smiles at you!!!
he is an amazing munkustrap, in fact i dont think they could ever replace any one the video cast, ya know, like i can never see any one else as these characters, and the way he put the makeup on so confidently, ha i could never do that, one thing i will say, he should keep his hair longer. BEST MUNKUS EVER!!! (oh p.s. does he have twitter?? i'm not sure if he does but if he does then can you send me a link, i would really like to follow him) xx
Michael Gruber's omnibus artistry is so consummate, it overwhelms -- whether talking, moving, singing, dancing, and now drawing on his own cat face ... distnctively precise, exact, clear, cool, deft, sure, commanding, with-it (even OMNISCIENT) -- the cat we trust, the Pillar of the Cat Community ! A joy forever.
I've met him! He came to one of our dress rehearsals for CATS this summer. He's a super nice guy. I then saw him perform in Hairspray as Corny Collins. Talked to him after the show, such a nice guy.
Munkustrap is just like my wonderful husband: handsome, brave, kind, caring, loyal, fierce, loving, gentle, strong and sexy!. No wonder I love them both!
omg i have so much to say lol, right for ones he's GORGEOUS!!I'm in love with him, his voice, his body, and i love how he doesn't change much as munkustrap and is still sexy as a cat ;), He's got the moves if you know what I mean lol. i've seen other munkustraps but none compare. I'm really dying to meet him n see him perform, especially in cats, does anyone know of any shows coming up? n bananaslayr0 your so lucky to have met him =')i jus wana meet him, hehas a lovely voice talking and singing!
Love him! :D Soooo glad he's in the recorded version that they put on dvd. ;) now i can watch him and the rest of the amazing people whenever i want! :) i absolutely love this play.
He's right about the language! The first time I saw Cats it was in German, I didn't understand a word but I understood the story just from the music and visuals. I loved it so much I pestered my dad to buy me a shirt and a dvd of it immediately xD
I'm a kid too! I don't know how I know Cats. I think a friend in my at school was listening to them I ask her what is she listening and she gave me the headphone and .....it sounds great and I start listening to Cats since I was 6 (now I'm 10)
michael gruber is a family friend. no joke. i had no idea he was popular! and for those girls after him... he's gay, so, yeah. i know him personally and i've had dinner with him like twice. i really didn't know he had so many fans.
he's profusely talented... wiki says that he excelled in gymnastics and diving, and at 14 years old was 2nd in the world for diving in his age category, aspiring to be in the olympics. he also writes lyrics and composes!!!
i just saw him in a chorus line in september and we had dinner with him (my step-mom and him are old college friends)... he still looks pretty much the same.
Everyone who's ever been onstage in Cats does their own makeup ^_^ The only time makeup artists were used was for the video, and that was just for consistency.
@balletgirl212 what it looks like to me is a stick of costume chalk, Michael obviously is using the profesional variety, but you can find any makeup kit containing high quality white costume chalk, especially during the Halloween season, examples of such stores are Rite Aid and Walmart
im playing Munkustrap at my community theater company. whats funny is im a girl and a soprano, so its gonna be a challenge. but this character is so awesome, i really wanna give it my all & do this character justice, but also make it my own. watching behind-the-scenes CATS vids like this really inspires me. Michael Gruber really is the coolest Munkustrap ever
Wow, I know this is from 3 years ago, but your situation back then is EXACTLY the one I am in now! Its funny, 3 years ago I played a kitten (a kind of add-on part the director of the CATS I was in "added" on, I guess) and you were playing Munku :) Can't wait for the first rehearsal!
I remember reading that, suddenly, the audiences for CATS started to wane and dwindle. It seems that the advertising budget for tickets was cut drastically. Ticket sales declined, and the show was then cancelled. Whether that was Really Useful Theater Group's (Andrew Lloyd Webber's company) decision or needing a theater for a new and fresh Broadway play, or any other reason is anybody's guess.
Damn, that man is sexy! I wonder if he took his London-Video wig and make-up with him and started using it in the Broadway show? Broadway had different designers for wigs and make-up compared to London, but this is obviously the Karen Dawson's design for the European productions.
@Jen3888 No, doing this isn't gay. Guys who dance have to have incredible strength. I used to be in martial arts, so I know some of what they have to go through to do what they do. The only difference is I use my skill to beat people up; this is art.
In this video, Munkustrap plays a human named 'Michael Gruber'. I think they did the makeup really well! Can hardly see any fur at all!
GURL IM SCREAMING
Such a talented cat
Out of all the munkustrap's. Michael is the best version of him. His voice and personality really suited the character perfectly ..The make up was amazing as well
Hello, it's 2020 and i just wanted to let everyone know that somebody still loves michael gruber's munkustrap, he was absolutely THE BEST munk that has ever been. Great talent, personality, beautiful voice and damn, he has the most beautiful eyes and smile I've ever seen
Here in 2022 to agree with this comment 🐱💓
YAS💖💖💖
2024 I’m obsessedddddd STILL
If all of you think that Michael Gruber was perfect for the role of munkustrap, That is because Michael Gruber IS Munkustrap!
Shame I can only like this video ONCE. Munk is my favorite cat. Still trying to collect the why's. There is something about his regal, protective, yet kind stance. Paired with the gentle smile that could only be done by Gruber, Munk was meant to be played by him and him alone. Munk, Etcetera and Deuteronomy are the top three cats which make me smile by their presence alone.
Oh yes...and quite a looker. My god, that smile.
i've had a crush on him since i saw him in cats musical on dvd :)
I think it’s fantastic he does his own makeup- what a great way to slowly get into character. And he does it so well!!
Yes, he does an amazing job with the makeup!
Emma Garcia a lot of broadway and circus performers have to do their own make up for this very reason actually. It makes the the character feel more personal to the performer
Munkustrap is by far the best character in Cats. and Gruber's voice is perfect for it! I've always loved the part where he sings about "The jellicle choice", as in the end of this video. Too bad my favourite part begins just after that part :) "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer full of wonders..."
Now I know why I had a crush on Munkustrap ;) lol
I saw him in CATS on Broadway as a little girl (11), Jacob Brent was also in the cast...I was OBSESSED with Michael Gruber...and Jacob Brent, but mostly Michael, having watched the VHS 5x a day, every day. Munkustrap was always my favorite. When I walked into the theatre and saw his name, I started to cry. My parents got us (my 3 siblings, my parents and myself) great seats- second row center orchestra on the aisle. Towards the end, probably Mr. Mistoffelees, he came into the audience and went right up to me. I held on to him so tightly, to the point where he had to say "sweetheart, I have to go finish the show". Afterwards, at the stage door, I was so excited to meet him, I cried my little heart out and hugged him, while he signed other people's playbills on top of my head.
Later, I would meet him again after Swing! on Broadway AND after a performance of White Christmas on tour in Boston. He is the NICEST man.
Noelle Poremski this is so funny
Glad you’ve met him
5:23 SIR ARE YOU AWARE THAT I LOVE YOU
but honestly, I think Michael is the best Munkustrap I've ever seen. Andy from the 2016 revival is a very close second, but Michael will always be my favorite
Man, that guy has got some crazy stage presence. I always loved him in the video, and he's fabulous on stage.
his neices and nephews!
imagine if munkustrap was your uncle! thatd be waaaaaaay too exciting!!!
Uncle Munku!
Munkustrap is my favorite feline in the company.
WOW!!! I've always loved Munkustrap sooo much - Michael Gruber portrays him really well...so handsome, gorgeous, have a goregous and glorious singing voice, and can act and dance awfully well, too. And this interview...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, UTTERLY 100% GORGEOUS!!! I love him so much! And just so you know, I don't usually get excited over guys' bodies..but this is different. EEEEEEEEEP!!! WOW!!!
Him and mistofflees were my faves, Yes I have amazing taste in cats lol!
He speaks like munkustrap in the same manner with gestures and such
OMG. I had a crush on him just from seeing him as a cat. Now I love him even more. :D
Ah, I LOVE Michael Gruber! He was definately the best Munkustrap in my opinion. Totally fab! :D
I used to watch this all the time when I was younger! It scared the crap out of me.. But the mysterious aspect of it always had me wanting to watch it over and over. :)
Samantha Doub
Which part was scary?
The best Munku!
Andrew Lloyd Webber thinks so too
AutobotProwler that's why he was in the video
True that
Michael is so amazing he is so good at doing his make up all by himself. Wow, When he is Munkustrap he is cute and handsome as a cat.
Michael Gruber is the best Munkustrap ever! he really fit that role!
I would love to meet him in person!
He's one of my idols to go into theater acting someday; he's an incredible dancer and singer!
*sighs*
and he's the most talented munkustrap ever!
Look at his muscles baby! He's so cute when he smiles! He's just perfect for Munkustrap!
LOL hes the same age as my mum... O.o
Gruber is the best ever Munkustrap and nobody can replace him!!!
lol after seeing this I painted my dad's face like Munk and mine like Cety and we walked around the supermarket... ppl who don't mind making a spectacle of themselves should try it - eveyone is so friendly and smiles at you!!!
he is an amazing munkustrap, in fact i dont think they could ever replace any one the video cast, ya know, like i can never see any one else as these characters, and the way he put the makeup on so confidently, ha i could never do that, one thing i will say, he should keep his hair longer. BEST MUNKUS EVER!!! (oh p.s. does he have twitter?? i'm not sure if he does but if he does then can you send me a link, i would really like to follow him) xx
I always looked up to munkustrap as my favorite!!!!! Even michael gruber!!!!!!!! They are both amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he is gorgeous. he's got such talent (and beautiful eyes)!
If you didn't have a crush on at least 3 of the cats who even are you lmao-
Mine: Munkustrap, Mungojerrie and RTT.
I had a crush on Munkustrap, Mr Mistoffelees and Rum Tum Tugger, Mungojerrie and Macavity.
:3
I'm exactly the same - those r my favourites along with Plato and Misto. I like rumpleteazer as well - I'd try out as her if I ever got the chance 😂
Munkustrap was always one of my faves - he's just so CUTE :D
I love how he keeps a cat postcard on his mirror. (04:10)
He's adorable as a human or a cat.....Meeee-owww!! :)
Michael Gruber's omnibus artistry is so consummate, it overwhelms -- whether talking, moving, singing, dancing, and now drawing on his own cat face ... distnctively precise, exact, clear, cool, deft, sure, commanding, with-it (even OMNISCIENT) -- the cat we trust, the Pillar of the Cat Community ! A joy forever.
JudgeJulieLit
Well said. 🎤 mic drop
I've met him! He came to one of our dress rehearsals for CATS this summer. He's a super nice guy. I then saw him perform in Hairspray as Corny Collins. Talked to him after the show, such a nice guy.
SamVMK
Luck you! He seems so approachable.
used to dive with Michael back in Cinci in the 70's. You should have seen him dive as well...
I personally, think he looks better as a cat...
I had no idea Michael did his own makeup!!! :)
Munkustrap has hallways been my favourite and it’s all because of Gruber’s perfect performance
Munkustrap is just like my wonderful husband: handsome, brave, kind, caring, loyal, fierce, loving, gentle, strong and sexy!. No wonder I love them both!
He is gorgeous !!! I had no idea that the actors put on their own makeup ... cool !!! Thx for posting
Munkustrap is my biggest childhood crush ever
omg i have so much to say lol, right for ones he's GORGEOUS!!I'm in love with him, his voice, his body, and i love how he doesn't change much as munkustrap and is still sexy as a cat ;), He's got the moves if you know what I mean lol. i've seen other munkustraps but none compare. I'm really dying to meet him n see him perform, especially in cats, does anyone know of any shows coming up? n bananaslayr0 your so lucky to have met him =')i jus wana meet him, hehas a lovely voice talking and singing!
And CATS still lives on now :D I saw it live this year with the 2013/14 tour and it is amazing!
Love him! :D Soooo glad he's in the recorded version that they put on dvd. ;) now i can watch him and the rest of the amazing people whenever i want! :) i absolutely love this play.
He's literally so fine
Love him...I saw him on Cats...fantastic!
i love this movie! it was amazing watching him put his makeup on.
Michael Gruber is my absolute favorite!!
He's beautiful
He's right about the language! The first time I saw Cats it was in German, I didn't understand a word but I understood the story just from the music and visuals. I loved it so much I pestered my dad to buy me a shirt and a dvd of it immediately xD
I'm a kid too! I don't know how I know Cats. I think a friend in my at school was listening to them I ask her what is she listening and she gave me the headphone and .....it sounds great and I start listening to Cats since I was 6 (now I'm 10)
And now you are 19... time flies 🙂
He looks different without his Munku costume.. O_o he's awesome!
I'm in love...
michael gruber is a family friend. no joke. i had no idea he was popular! and for those girls after him... he's gay, so, yeah. i know him personally and i've had dinner with him like twice. i really didn't know he had so many fans.
OMG .. !! :-O
He look soo good .. !!
He is so cuuuteee
he's profusely talented... wiki says that he excelled in gymnastics and diving, and at 14 years old was 2nd in the world for diving in his age category, aspiring to be in the olympics. he also writes lyrics and composes!!!
Loved/love him as a professional performer watching vcrs growing up! X
5:25 aww so cute
12 years later and my family still has the tape. it is in my vcr right now. i think i may be addicted!
He is my favorite ♥️♥️
He is cute! Beautiful man!
He was the hottest cat!.
Gorgeous!
^^
I love the part at the end! It looks so awesome! 8D
Wow - he has a pretty damn nice body :)
He's gorgeous! Love him! My fav cat
me too is my favorite cat
0:30 Shut up, just go to Michael!
I'm gonna see Cats live in May! ^.^ Munkustrap is so cute, and Michael is so hot, that rocks.
I got to see Michael Gruber live!
Wow he's so awesome =D =D I've loved this guy since I saw him live on Broadway!
i just saw him in a chorus line in september and we had dinner with him (my step-mom and him are old college friends)... he still looks pretty much the same.
Everyone who's ever been onstage in Cats does their own makeup ^_^ The only time makeup artists were used was for the video, and that was just for consistency.
munkstrap is meh favoret cat in the musical...HE'S HOT
I love Michael Gruber.
Dude...when I was five I had a HUGE crush on Rum Tum Tugger. If they could of cast me for one of his little fan kittens I KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE!
5:25 sooo cute! lol
Even if he is, it shouldn't change how people look at him. I still love him!
@1Michaela5 I totally agree with you. This movie/musical is awesome, and never gets old!!
omg he is choreographing a show I am in right now and he’s just amazing!!
I luv this guy! :)))
Gawd Michael Gruber was such a hunk. 🤩🤩🤩
🤣
This okay but he's not John Partridge (Tugger)
@balletgirl212 what it looks like to me is a stick of costume chalk, Michael obviously is using the profesional variety, but you can find any makeup kit containing high quality white costume chalk, especially during the Halloween season, examples of such stores are Rite Aid and Walmart
Love his Munkustrap so much.
He is awesome !!
im playing Munkustrap at my community theater company. whats funny is im a girl and a soprano, so its gonna be a challenge. but this character is so awesome, i really wanna give it my all & do this character justice, but also make it my own. watching behind-the-scenes CATS vids like this really inspires me. Michael Gruber really is the coolest Munkustrap ever
Wow, I know this is from 3 years ago, but your situation back then is EXACTLY the one I am in now! Its funny, 3 years ago I played a kitten (a kind of add-on part the director of the CATS I was in "added" on, I guess) and you were playing Munku :) Can't wait for the first rehearsal!
PureBeauty511
So how did it go?
Munkustrap and Demeter are my favorites. Also my headcanon.
That's so cool about how Gillian would still come back to the show and helping out with the dancing. She just went way up in my book.
that makeup is so crazy, truly amazes me, lol
woahhhhhh he did his face make-up himself? that's awewsome! i want to learn!
Aw. It's so sad that they've closed the show. :(
I remember reading that, suddenly, the audiences for CATS started to wane and dwindle. It seems that the advertising budget for tickets was cut drastically. Ticket sales declined, and the show was then cancelled. Whether that was Really Useful Theater Group's (Andrew Lloyd Webber's company) decision or needing a theater for a new and fresh Broadway play, or any other reason is anybody's guess.
oh my god he's gorgeous lol!
so cute!
Michael Gruber and Jacob Brent are the bomb!!!!
Michael Kulow Jacob Brent.
Oops didnt mean to put that down lol
I was confused, lol
Damn, that man is sexy!
I wonder if he took his London-Video wig and make-up with him and started using it in the Broadway show? Broadway had different designers for wigs and make-up compared to London, but this is obviously the Karen Dawson's design for the European productions.
Munku is a megahottie!!!
I saw Mr. Mistoffelees' wig! :D
Sirrrrrr . . . U know that i love youuu 5:23 this just melts me more
@Jen3888 No, doing this isn't gay. Guys who dance have to have incredible strength. I used to be in martial arts, so I know some of what they have to go through to do what they do. The only difference is I use my skill to beat people up; this is art.
best Munkustrap ever!