Rising Costs Force Early Closure of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' on Broadway

The Broadway revival 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' will close on August 8 after only five months, despite critical acclaim and strong attendance. The show, which reimagined the 1980s classic as a queer ballroom competition, grossed around $1 million weekly before the Tony Awards, where it won three awards but missed best revival. However, post-pandemic cost increases—including higher utility charges, theater rent, and wages for actors, musicians, and stagehands—made it impossible to cover expenses. Producer Mara Isaacs noted that many shows are struggling as costs have risen disproportionately. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber warned that without action, Broadway risks becoming like Hollywood's empty soundstages. The closure highlights a broader crisis: only a handful of post-pandemic musicals have recouped, and just five new musicals are announced for next year. Producers are trying to cut budgets by reducing set pieces and cast sizes, but ticket prices must rise. Audience behavior has shifted toward familiar IP and celebrity-driven shows, making it harder for innovative works like this revival to survive. Drummer Clayton Craddock, a Broadway veteran, has started a business educating musicians about financial instability. The loss of this show, which centered trans and queer performers, is felt deeply in the industry.