Andrew Lloyd Webber Calls Broadway Economics 'Unsustainable' as 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' Closes
On the final evening of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' at the Broadhurst Theatre, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber took to Instagram to voice his dissatisfaction with the current financial situation on Broadway. He described the production as 'incredibly daring' and highlighted that it provided 17 actors with their first Broadway opportunity. Lloyd Webber cautioned that the show's closure might compel the industry to confront the 'unsustainable cost' associated with new productions. Although the reimagined 'Cats' received three Tony Awards, it ended its run five months prematurely despite favorable reviews. Following its April debut, ticket sales dwindled after losing the Tony for best revival to 'Ragtime.' Previously, Lloyd Webber had warned about Broadway's decline and is now planning to bring 'Evita' featuring Rachel Zegler to the stage. The original 'Cats' was performed from 1982 to 2000.
Key facts
- 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' closed at the Broadhurst Theatre on the night of the announcement.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber expressed being 'gutted' about the closing on Instagram.
- The production gave 17 actors their Broadway debut.
- Lloyd Webber called the cost of producing on Broadway 'unsustainable'.
- The show won three Tony Awards: best costume design, best direction of a musical, and best choreography.
- The show closed five months before planned despite strong reviews and online buzz.
- Weekly earnings dropped from $900,000 to $1 million after losing the Tony for best revival to 'Ragtime'.
- Lloyd Webber and Jamie Lloyd are working on bringing 'Evita' with Rachel Zegler to Broadway.
Entities
Artists
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jamie Lloyd
- Rachel Zegler
- Tom Hooper
- Hal Prince
- Zhailon Levington
- Bill Rauch
- Omari Wiles
- Arturo Lyons
- Qween Jean
Institutions
- Broadhurst Theatre
- Tony Awards
- Broadway
Locations
- Broadway
- New York City
- United States