Invitation

"The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball" is a short musical number that breaks the fourth wall to explain the entire plot of the musical. It is usually sung by Mistoffelees and Munkustrap, following Victoria's ballet solo.

Context
After "The Naming of Cats", Victoria the White Cat begins to dance a beautiful, measured, impossibly graceful solo. "A little cat, in puberty, discovering her own body." As she finishes, either Mistoffelees or Munkustrap, depending on the version, joins her to invite us to the Jellicle Ball. Many productions had the ensemble repeat this chorus as well. Munkustrap elaborates on the purpose of the ball, to educate both the youngest members of the tribe as well as the audience.

Lyrics
Mistoffelees:

Jellicle cats come out tonight Jellicle cats come one, come all The Jellicle moon is shining bright Jellicles come to the Jellicle ball

Jellicle cats come out tonight

Jellicles come to the Jellicle ball

Munkustrap:

Jellicle cats meet once a year At the Jellicle ball where we all rejoice And the Jellicle leader will soon appear And make what is known as the Jellicle choice

When Old Deuteronomy just before dawn

Through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife

Announces the cat who can now be reborn

And come back to different Jellicle life

For waiting up there is the Heaviside layer

Full of wonders one Jellicle only will see

And Jellicles ask because Jellicles dare

Who will it be?

Who will it be?