Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Variety Cover: ALW on Broadway’s Reopening, ‘Cinderella,’ and Why the ‘Cats’ Movie Caused Him to Buy a Dog

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#1

Variety Cover: ALW on Broadway’s Reopening, ‘Cinderella,’ and Why the ‘Cats’ Movie Caused Him to Buy a Dog

https://variety.com/2021/legit/features/andrew-lloyd-webber-broadway-reopening-phantom-of-the-opera-cats-cinderella-1235081430/

“‘Cats’ was off-the-scale all wrong,” says Lloyd Webber. “There wasn’t really any understanding of why the music ticked at all. I saw it and I just thought, ‘Oh, God, no.’ It was the first time in my 70-odd years on this planet that I went out and bought a dog. So the one good thing to come out of it is my little Havanese puppy.”

That puppy has been a constant companion of Lloyd Webber’s during lockdown. They have grown so attached that he’s even figured out a way to bring the dog to New York the next time he travels to the city.

“I wrote off and said I needed him with me at all times because I’m emotionally damaged and I must have this therapy dog,” says Lloyd Webber. “The airline wrote back and said, ‘Can you prove that you really need him?’ And I said ‘Yes, just see what Hollywood did to my musical “Cats.”’ Then the approval came back with a note saying, ‘No doctor’s report required.’”

#2

Variety Cover: ALW on Broadway’s Reopening, ‘Cinderella,’ and Why the ‘Cats’ Movie Caused Him to Buy a Dog

I'm surprised ALW wasn't more like "The mistake was thinking Cats was adaptable"

Yes. That movie is stupid. But in what world would it NOT be? Sure, maybe you could've improved the CGI but you would still be left with a weird fever dream of a plotless creep fest which the show already is.

In my opinion it made me feel like "Yeah this is definitely like the show Cats. And I hate it."

the only way I can POSSIBLY wrap my head around this as a movie, is exclusively animated with cute realistic looking cats dancing all around.

Updated On: 10/6/21 at 01:22 PM

#3

Variety Cover: ALW on Broadway’s Reopening, ‘Cinderella,’ and Why the ‘Cats’ Movie Caused Him to Buy a Dog

"he believes that Joel Schumacher erred in casting Gerard Butler in the lead role in 2004’s 'The Phantom of the Opera.'” 'The Phantom was too young, and the whole point of the Phantom is he needs to be quite a bit older than Christine,' says Lloyd Webber."

^ THIS. A thousand times.

Yet, even in the stage productions, they keep making the same mistake.


==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#4

Variety Cover: ALW on Broadway’s Reopening, ‘Cinderella,’ and Why the ‘Cats’ Movie Caused Him to Buy a Dog

Yes. That movie is stupid. But in what world would it NOT be? Sure, maybe you could've improved the CGI but you would still be left with a weird fever dream of a plotless creep fest which the show already is.

Well I mean as a live action movie, probably, but there is definitely a world where that animated movie they planned initially was a wonderful adaptation. But even as live action it COULD have worked with someone who was not Tom Hooper who seemingly just doesn't understand musicals and the whimsy of Cats in particular.

But what I can't wrap my mind around is... who holds the control? I mean research says ALW has full ownership over Really Useful. Licensing agreements for these projects is not "I give you a bag of money and I let you make the thing." it comes with approval and it usually comes some input. Unless he's just... an idiot who allowed them to write him out of the approval process. ALW seems to just have a lot... remorse after the fact that, but where was he during it to air these concerns?

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $106
Hot Show
Tickets From $159