Andrew Lloyd Webber Expresses Heartbreak Over 'Cats' Closure

WHO:

Variety - Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is involved in the production of "Cats: The Jellicle Ball."

Deadline - Andrew Lloyd Webber expresses his feelings about the show's closure.

WHAT:

BroadwayWorld - "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" concluded its run after 21 previews and 141 regular performances.

BroadwayWorld - The production officially opened on April 7, 2026, and received nine Tony Award nominations, winning three: Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design of a Musical.

Variety - The Broadway production of "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" is closing.

Deadline - The show is closing five months earlier than originally planned.

Variety - Lloyd Webber stated he is "gutted" about the closure of the show.

Deadline - Lloyd Webber hopes the closing will serve as a warning about the "unsustainable cost" of producing on Broadway.

WHERE:

Deadline - The show is being performed at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.

WHY:

Variety - Lloyd Webber describes the current state of Broadway production as "unsustainable."

HOW:

BroadwayWorld - The production featured a cast that included 2026 Tony Award nominee and winner André De Shields, among others.

Variety - Lloyd Webber communicated his feelings through an emotional message posted on Instagram.

(UPDATED August 9, 2026 04:58 UTC)

The musical "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" has officially wrapped up its run after 21 previews and 141 regular performances. Opening on April 7, 2026, the production garnered nine Tony Award nominations and took home three awards for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design of a Musical. The cast featured notable talents, including André De Shields, who was both a nominee and a winner at this year's Tony Awards.

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(UPDATED August 9, 2026 03:02 UTC)

The Broadway production of "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" is set to close five months earlier than originally planned, with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber expressing that he is "gutted" about the decision. In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Lloyd Webber highlighted the "unsustainable cost" of producing shows on Broadway, hoping this closure serves as a warning for the industry. The show has been performed at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.