Andrew Lloyd Webber Uses “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” Closure to Highlight Broadway’s Financial Strain

The revival “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” ended its Broadway run at the Broadhurst Theatre in early August 2026, five months ahead of the schedule that had projected a later closing. The production had previously announced an August 8 closing date, but the final performance occurred earlier than that announced deadline. A box office report indicated the show was standing-room-only for the week ending August 2, grossing $1,405,709—an increase of $216,278 over the prior week.

Variety Magazine

The production began Off-Broadway in June 2024, transferred to Broadway in April 2026, and earned three Tony Awards at the 2026 ceremony in June for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, and Best Choreography. Despite the accolades and strong online buzz, weekly grosses fell from an initial $900,000–$1 million to levels that could not sustain operating costs, prompting the early shutdown.

The Wrap

He urged theatre owners, unions, and producers to address what he described as a looming crisis for Broadway’s financial model.

Deadline Hollywood

Responses to Lloyd Webber’s call were mixed. Actress Nicole Scherzinger praised his leadership, while other commentators blamed the Shubert Organization’s theater-ownership monopoly and questioned the inclusion of unions in the blame narrative. Actor-dancer Neil Haskell highlighted the broader economic pressure on performers, noting that “Most Broadway actors can barely afford to live in the city.”

Deadline Hollywood

• “I’m gutted that the wonderful Broadway production of ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ is closing today,” — Lloyd Webber

Variety Magazine

• “The painful truth is that, with things as they are, bringing almost any new show to Broadway makes little financial sense,” — Lloyd Webber

Variety Magazine

• “Maybe the show’s closing just might be remembered as the moment that caused everyone involved with Broadway to come to their senses and address the unsustainable cost of producing and running any new show on The Great White Way, let alone daring new work,” — Andrew Lloyd Webber

The Wrap

• “Most Broadway actors can barely afford to live in the city.” — Neil Haskell

Deadline Hollywood