Andrew Lloyd Webber to miss Bad Cinderalla premiere as son critically ill | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV
Musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber is to miss the Broadway Premiere of his Bad Cinderella show to be at the hospital bedside of his eldest son Nicholas who is “critically ill” from gastric cancer. The 74-year-old composer said he was “absolutely devastated” as he shared the news in a heartbreaking statement.
Lord Webber revealed his son, whom he shares with ex-wife Sarah Hugill, has been suffering from the disease for the last 18-months.
The Phantom of The Opera creator made the announcement as he explained why he would not be attending the premiere of his new Broadway musical Bad Cinderella.
He wrote: “I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill. As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised.
“I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on Opening Night this Thursday”.
The impresario expressed his hope that Nicolas, 43, can recover.
He added: “We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family”.
Nicholas followed in his father’s footsteps and is a successful composer in his right, having written Fat Friends The Musical as well as numerous TV and film scores including the recent adaption of The Little Prince.
He was also nominated for a Grammy for musical theatre album alongside his father, Greg Wells and David Zippel for Lord Lloyd-Webber’s Cinderella.
He is married to musician Polly Whiltshire who appeared on the soundtrack of his father’s 2019 movie Cats.
His father’s new show on Broadway is a retooled version of London West End’s name Cinderella which takes its name from a key song in the show and has new songs, leading lady, and title.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, who has three Grammys, four Tony awards, and one Academy Award, has been married three times.
His first wife Sarah Hugill is the mother of Nicholas and his daughter Imogen, 44, a communications executive.
The composer then married actress and singer Sarah Brightman, who starred in his Phantom musical.
After they divorced in 1990, Lord Lloyd-Webber married Madeleine Gurdon and they have three children Isabella, 26, Alastair, 30, William, 29,
It was recently revealed Andrew is to pen one of 12 new pieces of music commissioned by the King for his coronation.
Charles has personally selected the musical programme for the ceremony on May, 6, at Westminster Abbey, which has been designed to showcase a range of musical talent and styles from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, who is known for hit musicals including Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, described himself as “incredibly honoured” to have been asked to compose a new anthem.
