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Tony-Winning Cats Closes Aug 8, $18M Shortfall

7/15/2026

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cats: The Jellicle Ball will close on Aug 8 2026 after five months on Broadway.
The revival earned roughly $1 million in weekly grosses and three Tony Awards.
Despite the $18 million capitalization, the production failed to recoup its investment, prompting the early closure.
Andrew Lloyd Webber urged theatre owners, unions and producers to collaborate urgently to address the financial crisis threatening new Broadway works.

History

Historical Context

The 2008 Broadway shutdown of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” unfolded as the Great Recession deepened after Lehman Brothers’ September 15, 2008 bankruptcy and the October 3 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act that created a $700 billion TARP program. The crisis slashed discretionary spending, prompting Disney’s theatrical unit to post a $12 million loss and foreshadowing today’s $18 million “Jellicle Ball” closure.

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Story summary

Cats: The Jellicle Ball will close on Aug 8 2026 after five months on Broadway.
The revival earned roughly $1 million in weekly grosses and three Tony Awards.
Despite the $18 million capitalization, the production failed to recoup its investment, prompting the early closure.
Andrew Lloyd Webber urged theatre owners, unions and producers to collaborate urgently to address the financial crisis threatening new Broadway works.

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