Nicole Scherzinger pulls out of CATS on Broadway

It has been reported that Andrew Lloyd Webber is "furious" with Olivier nominee Nicole Scherzinger, who has now pulled out of playing Grizabella in the upcoming Broadway revival of CATS, which begins previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on 14 July 2016, before an official opening on 31 July. The former Pussycat Doll has instead chosen to taken on a judging role on the upcoming UK series of The X Factor, alongside Simon Cowell.

Lord Webber told The Economist Radio in the UK:

"I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically talented girl and I went out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium here. Never mind. There will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award."

"A week before we were going into rehearsals with Cats on Broadway, which luckily I'm not producing, I have to say, she calls me and says she's decided she wants to do X Factor having agreed everything. I mean, she's crazy. But the American producers take the view, that's fine, we'll get somebody else. Because she's actually not really well known in America, she's much better known here."

CATS features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by T.S. Eliot, Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe.

Synopsis: "On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life."

The creative team behind the Broadway revival features direction by Trevor Nunn, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (based on original choreography by Gillian Lynne), scenic & costume design by John Napier, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Mick Potter.

This production marks the first ever revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1981 musical since its Broadway premiere production closed on 10 September 2000.

CATS originally opened in the West End in 1981, picking up the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and ran for 21 years. Its Broadway incarnation opened in 1982 and stayed put for 18 years, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

CATS is produced on Broadway by The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization and licensed by The Really Useful Group.

Nicole Scherzinger picked up an Olivier Award nomination for her West End debut as Grizzabella in 'Cats' at the London Palladium. She has also appeared as Maureen in 'Rent' at the Hollywood Bowl and performed Lloyd Webber numbers on UK TV specials from both 'Evita' and 'The Phantom of the Opera.' Her screen credits include "How I Met Your Mother," "Men in Black 3," "Half & Half," "My Wife and Kids" and "Love Don't Cost a Thing." As a recording artist, she has sold over 50 million albums with The Pussycat Dolls and over 16 million as a solo act. She has appeared as a judge on the UK's 'The X Factor' in 2012 and 2013 and also won 'Dancing with the Stars' in the US in 2010.

- by Tom Millward