Mr. Kachel performed many parts in the long-running Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about fanciful junkyard felines, but mainly essayed the part of Mungojerrie. Dance Magazine reported in 2000 that over a period of 11 years, he performed in four Cats companies, and, as a swing member, learned every male role. He told Dance Magazine that he frequently looked to actual cats for acting tips to use on stage.

He was with the show when it gave its final Broadway performance on Sept. 10, 2000.

He also appeared on Broadway in the Lloyd Webber train musical Starlight Express , and found stage work in the kid-friendly touring shows "Sesame Street Live" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Roger Kachel was born in Minnesota on May 29, 1961. He attended the California Institute of the Arts. In recent years, he concentrated on his second career as a baker, joining Ron Ben Israel Cakes.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on May 23 at the Winter Garden Theatre, which was for many years the home of Cats.