Why Andrew Lloyd Webber Will Miss Opening Night for 'Bad Cinderella'
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His new musical is set to open on Broadway later this week.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber solemnly shared that he would, unfortunately, be absent from Bad Cinderella's opening night on Broadway later this week.
In a harrowing statement over the weekend, Webber explained that he was "absolutely devastated" to alert fans with the update concerning his eldest son Nick, who is now critically ill and battling stomach cancer. "As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalized," the 74-year-old said.
"I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella," Webber continued. "As things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on Opening Night this Thursday."
The Mar. 18 statement also included a message of hope, adding that Webber and his family are praying that the 43-year-old "will turn the corner."
"He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humor," Webber said of his son, concluding, "but at the moment my place is with him and the family."
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Nick, whom the Phantom of the Opera composer shares with his first wife, Sarah Hugill, is also a songsmith and is best known for scoring the BBC One series Love, Lies and Records, the film The Last Bus and the short Mr. Invisible.
In 2021, Webber and Nick were among the talented artists nominated for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album for their work on London's West End show Cinderella, which will soon be known as the musical Bad Cinderella on Broadway–just with a few more songs and a whole new cast, including On Your Feet! star Linedy Genao.
Curtains for Webber's new show are set to rise for the first time on Mar. 23 at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. The little over two-hour-long performance reportedly offers a "camp-infused take on the classic tale filled with heart, humor, and a happily ever after focused on Cinderella finding herself, not just her Prince Charming," per New York Theater Guide.
