Musical teacher and EGOT winner Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed over the weekend that his son Nicholas Lloyd Webber, 43, has been hospitalized after battling stomach cancer for over a year.
The 74-year-old composer behind the hit Broadway musicals “Cats,” “Evita” and “The Phantom of the Opera” said he is “absolutely devastated” to say his eldest son is “critically ill,” according to a statement. statement obtained on Saturday by Program.
“As my friends and family know, he has been battling gastric cancer for the last 18 months and now Nick is hospitalized,” said the father of five.
Due to the illness of his son, the Grammy Legend has not been able to supervise the rest of the progress of his new Broadway musical “Bad Cinderella” and will miss the updated fairy tale’s opening night on Thursday, when it is scheduled to make its New York debut at the Imperial Theatre. The production recently moved to Great White Way from London’s West End, where it opened in 2021 after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, left, with Linedy Genao, who will star in his production “Bad Cinderella,” as he announces the new show at the Imperial Theater in New York on October 3, 2022.
(Craig Ruttle / Associated Press)
“Therefore, I have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and, as it is, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on opening night this Thursday,” said the seven-time winner. of the Tony Award. . “We are all praying that Nick comes around the corner. He is fighting valiantly with his indomitable humor, but right now my place is with him and the family.”
Representatives for Nicholas and Andrew Lloyd Webber did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Times on Monday.
Nicholas Lloyd Webber is also a composer and record producer who has worked on short films, ad campaigns, and television series like “Grey’s Anatomy” and the 2021 film “The Last Bus.” He worked with his father over the years to co-produce a concept album of “Cinderella” and “Three Symphonic Suites,” as well as score a stage adaptation of “The Little Prince” and the musical “Fat Friends.”
His famous father also had his own health scare, announcing in 2009 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The disease was diagnosed in its early stages and the composer had his prostate removed, he underwent treatment and made a full recovery.
“I am alive; I have my music; I have my children. I am the luckiest man,” he said in 2011, revealing that the procedure had rendered him impotent.
Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the revered British musician wrote the anthem for King Charles III’s coronation on May 6. Lloyd Webber adapted a piece of religious music that encourages singers to make a “joyful noise,” the Associated Press reported. The composer of “Sunset Boulevard” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” was knighted a Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992. His title was raised to lord by the late Queen in 1996, and briefly served as a Conservative member in the House of Lords of the British Parliament.
