The following is an interview with Mandy Rubeli regarding the production, All Cats Go to Hell, at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Rubeli about the genesis behind the production, working with the talented cast and crew to bring the show to life, how you can purchase tickets, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: The production, All Cats Go to Hell, will be appearing at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this summer. For our readers who may be unfamiliar with the show, how would you describe its premise?
Mandy Rubeli: All Cats Go to Hell is a new dark-comedy surrounding a group of tweens who accidentally kill their elderly neighbor’s cat and are forced to face their own mortality for the first time. From the team that brought you the award-winning Arizona Rain HFF’23 and Dinosaurs HFF’24, All Cats Go to Hell is a coming-of-age story about death, growing up too fast, and wild misinformation on reddit.
BD: As the writer and director, what can you share with us about the genesis behind this production, and how would you describe your creative process in bringing it to life on the stage?
MR: A central theme of this show is death. The characters are forced to confront the idea of mortality for the first time when they witness the death of their neighbor’s pet cat—both grappling with the cat’s passing and, more poignantly, with their own inevitable mortality. This exploration of mortality was drawn from my own recent health struggles. While not life-threatening, these challenges have forced me to confront the reality that I am not immortal, and that one day, my body will fail me. These forced and unexpected limitations of my body inspired the underlying angst in this show, which, in a somewhat strange way, somehow found its expression in the death of a cat.
The inspiration also comes from my years of teaching eighth grade. One of my biggest takeaways from teaching is that young people are far more perceptive, capable, and resilient than we often give them credit for. My main take away from teaching is that kids are much smarter and more capable than we give them credit for, and I wanted to showcase that in this play. Many of the kids I work with have gone through so much at such a young age, and I’ve witnessed the frustration that comes when their feelings are invalidated or they are not given the credibility they deserve because they are “just kids.” I wanted to use this play as a platform to amplify their voices, particularly highlighting the neglect and disregard so many of them feel in today’s world.
As for the process of bringing it to the stage, I’ve been fortunate to work with the same group of actors and crew for the past three years, so they’re well-versed in the chaos that is my creative process. It usually goes like this: In early April, I send out a group text asking if anyone’s interested in doing another play. Once everyone commits, I promise to have a rough draft of the script ready in three weeks—because, yes, I thrive under pressure. I then go tour every coffee shop, library, and park in Los Angeles, listening to Phoebe Bridgers while typing away on my laptop. Three weeks later, we gather for a read-through, and I collect feedback from everyone. The final draft is ready about a week after that, and then we dive into rehearsals. It’s a highly collaborative process, where everyone contributes their ideas and we work together to create the best possible version of the show.
BD: What do you hope that audiences will take away from the show’s themes?
MR: Through my experience as a teacher, I’ve come to realize that today’s generation of young people often feels neglected by society. Their childhoods were dramatically altered by the pandemic, and in many ways, they’ve lost precious years to isolation and uncertainty. On top of that, they’re growing up in a world where the internet offers endless information with little regulation, leading to mental health challenges that often go unnoticed. They’re navigating a political climate that makes it dangerous for them to fully express who they are, particularly for LGBTQIA+ youth, all while being raised under an administration that seems indifferent to the future of the planet they’ll inherit. I could go on and on. This show is my way of drawing attention to these issues, of amplifying the voices of a generation that often feels invisible. My hope is that it sparks a conversation, encouraging us to look closer at the well-being of our kids, and challenges us to reflect on the long-term impact of our decisions on their future.
BD: What makes the Hollywood Fringe Festival the best venue for All Cats Go to Hell?
MR: Similar to my show, Dinosaurs, last year, All Cats Go to Hell is a brand-new workshop piece. I wrote it over the course of about three weeks this past April and early May, so this is its very first iteration. I believe the Fringe festival is the perfect space to workshop new material, thanks to its built-in community. I truly value honest feedback, and the supportive environment here fosters just that—encouraging growth while offering invaluable insight.
BD: The show will be appearing at The Madnani Theater from June 5-29, 2025. Are there any future plans to perform the show at other venues?
MR: Absolutely! While there aren’t any future dates scheduled just yet, I’ll be continuing to develop the project after Hollywood Fringe, so stay tuned!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about and purchase tickets for The Madnani Theater?
MR: Here are the dates, times, location, and ticket link for our show! Tickets are going fast, so be sure to grab yours before they’re gone!
DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday June 5 2025, 6:30 PM | 90 mins
Saturday June 14 2025, 2:30 PM | 90 mins
Sunday June 15 2025, 11:30 AM | 90 mins
Wednesday June 25 2025, 10:00 PM | 90 mins
Sunday June 29 2025, 7:00 PM | 90 mins
LOCATION:
The Madnani Theater
6760 Lexington Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
PRICING
$10
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/12293?tab=tickets
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Themes of homicide, death, youth mortality, animal violence, loud sound effects, and the inclusion of strobe lights and fake blood.
