Andrew Lloyd Webber says Broadway in ‘terrible danger’ as Cats musical announces early closure | Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber has spoken of Broadway’s debacle following the early closing of its revival Cats: Jellicle Ball.

“Broadway is more than a street or buildings. It’s an idea — and one of the greatest cultural ideas America has given us,” the composer wrote at length. X threads Tuesday morning.

“The idea is now in great danger. I beg everyone who has the power to protect it: come before it’s too late.”

Yesterday, it was he announced that despite receiving three Tony awards this year, Lloyd Webber’s Cats: The Ball of Jellicle will close after five months on Broadway, with its final performance scheduled for August 8.

The show cost $18 million to produce, but was unprofitable despite popular audiences and nearly $1m in weekly revenue due to the high cost of music in New York state.

In a four-star review, the Guardian praised the “transformation” of The Jellicle Ball, adding that it was “a powerful testament to what can be achieved when creators look beyond the cultural milieu of Broadway and bringing in new talent to expand the visual landscape of commercial theatre”.

“The sad truth is that, as things stand, bringing almost any new show to Broadway doesn’t make good financial sense,” Lloyd Webber said.

Producers, writers and directors are often forced to accept less money to produce work.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, 46 musicals have opened on Broadway on a New York Times report last year, with a total cost of about $800m to bring to the stage. New songs like Tammy Faye, Boop! and Smash opened with big money and huge popularity, but both were canceled within four months of opening.

“Many now survive on a fixed weekly fee instead of sharing properly in the success of the work they helped create,” said Lloyd Webber. “How can the next generation live their lives in theaters in such conditions?”

Most people consider themselves lucky if they earn any extra money. Without investors willing to risk their lives, and for artists to make a living, where will the next generation of Broadway shows come from?

Despite the instability known by Lloyd Webber, the season of Broadway 2025-2026 earned $ 1.91bn in ticket sales, led by popular innovations such as. Everything Beautiful and Daniel Radcliffe.

Meanwhile, a revival of Lloyd Webber’s Evita starring Rachel Zegler was recently announced. Broadway transfer after a successful run in London’s West End. The show will open at the Winter Garden Theater in New York in late 2027.

“Of course, popular Broadway musicals remain profitable,” wrote the author. “But Broadway cannot profit artistically or commercially from three old shows.” A new and bold work must have a future – either on Broadway itself or in new ways such as Masqueradenow he is about to spend a year in New York.”

Lloyd Webber ended his thread with a heartfelt statement about his hopes for the future of New York. He said: “I still love Broadway as much as I did when I was a teenager. “I want future generations to have the same opportunity.

“Theatre owners, agencies and producers need to come together as soon as possible,” he added. “Every part of the industry has a part to find a solution for.”

“Without action, Broadway is in danger of competing with the empty words of Hollywood: the dark theater that once existed.”