What Happened to Cats (The Musical)?

Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats' is a landmark musical based on T.S. Eliot's 1939 poetry collection, 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.' Lloyd Webber began setting Eliot's poems to music in 1977, with a song cycle first presented in 1980. The musical, which tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles on the night they choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer for a new life, opened to positive reviews in London's West End on May 11, 1981. It quickly became a commercial success, running for 21 years and 8,949 performances in London, and 18 years and 7,485 performances on Broadway, making it the longest-running musical in both districts for a significant period.

The musical's unprecedented success, with a worldwide gross of US$3.5 billion by 2012, established the 'megamusical' phenomenon, influencing the global musical theatre market towards big-budget, family-friendly blockbusters. Its iconic song "Memory" has been recorded by over 150 artists. 'Cats' has been translated into multiple languages and performed in over 30 countries, seen by more than 73 million people worldwide.

A film adaptation of 'Cats,' directed by Tom Hooper, was released in December 2019. Despite a star-studded cast, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, particularly for its visual effects and character design, and was considered a box office flop, resulting in an estimated loss of $71 million.

In recent years, 'Cats' has continued its global presence through various revivals and tours. A notable reimagining, "Cats: The Jellicle Ball," premiered Off-Broadway in summer 2024, setting the action in New York City's queer ballroom scene. Following critical acclaim, it transferred to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, opening on April 7, 2026. The production garnered significant recognition, winning three Tony Awards in 2026 for Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design.

However, despite its Tony wins and audience popularity, "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" announced an early closing, with its final Broadway performance on August 8, 2026, after just five months. Andrew Lloyd Webber publicly expressed his concern about the "dire danger" facing Broadway due to immense production costs, stating that bringing new shows to Broadway makes little financial sense. Meanwhile, other productions of 'Cats' continue, including a brand-new production at London's Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from July to September 2026, which will then embark on a major UK tour through July 2027. Additionally, two major international tours are scheduled for 2026, with one "Jemima Tour" running through 2027 across multiple countries. This indicates that while Broadway faces economic challenges, the musical's global appeal remains strong.