Nicole Scherzinger releases statment after withdrawing from Broadway revival of Cats

Nicole Scherzinger has released a statement after withdrawing from the Broadway revival of Cats a week before rehearsals were due to begin.

Last week the musical's composer Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed Scherzinger had  quit the musical so she can instead return to The X Factor UK as a judge alongside Simon Cowell. 

Scherzinger starred as Grizabella in the recent West End revival of Cats, and was long-rumoured to be reprising her role on Broadway.

Speaking to The Economist last week, Lloyd Webber said: "A week before we go into rehearsal on Broadway, which luckily I'm not producing, I get the news that she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to do everything. 

GOSSIP: Nicole Scherzinger pulls out of Cats Broadway revival; Andrew Lloyd Webber is furious

Andrew Lloyd Webber has claimed that Nicole Scherzinger has pulled out of starring as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats. 

Lloyd Webber says Scherzinger has quit the musical so she can instead return to The X Factor UK as a judge alongside Simon Cowell. Scherzinger starred as Grizabella in the recent West End revival of Cats, and was long-rumoured to be reprising her role on Broadway.

Speaking to The Economist, Lloyd Webber said: "A week before we go into rehearsal on Broadway, which luckily I'm not producing, I get the news that she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to do everything. 

Nicole Scherzinger cast in Dirty Dancing remake

Nicole Scherzinger has been cast in ABC’s remake of Dirty Dancing.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scherzinger will take on the role of Penny Johnson aka Johnny’s initial dance partner. The role was played in the 1987 film by Cynthia Rhodes. 

She joins Abigail Breslin as Baby, Colt Prattes as Johnny and Debra Messing as Marjorie.

Scherzinger starred as Grizabella in the 2014 West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium and is rumored to be reprising her performance on Broadway later this year. She previously played Maureen in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl

GOSSIP: Gary Barlow wants West End transfer for Finding Neverland & working on Around The World In Eighty Days musical

Barlow and Scherzinger

According to the Daily Mail, Take That's Gary Barlow wants his new Broadway musical Finding Neverland to open in the West End next year.

Baz Bamigboye reports that Barlow and Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston are hosting a special Finding Neverland preview  event in London next week which all the major West End theatre owners and general managers have been invited to. The musical opens on Broadway next month starring Glee's Matthew Morrison. 

Meanwhile, Bamigboye has revealed that Barlow has written music and lyrics with Eliot Kennedy for a musical version of Around The World In Eighty Days. Harvey Weinstein is also involved in the project.

GOSSIP: Cats returning to Broadway with Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella?

Speaking to The Guardian, Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that Cats will return to Broadway.

The composer also said he “greatly hopes” Nicole Scherzinger, who is currently starring in the West End revival, will reprise her performance as Grizabella. Further information is yet to be announced. 

Scherzinger stars in Cats at the London Palladium until 7th February 2015. Kerry Ellis will then take over, with the show now booking until 25th April 2015.

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats returned to the West End last month with the original creative team - Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber - reunited for the Palladium run.

Photo Feature: Cats at the London Palladium releases new images

Producers of Cats at the London Palladium have released new pictures of the cast in action. The show stars Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The cast also includes: Cameron Ball (Macavity/Admetus), Kathryn Barnes (Tantomile), Cassie Clare (Cassandra), Ross Finnie (Skimbleshanks), Charlene Ford (Bombalurina), Stevie Hutchinson (Pouncival), Adam Lake (Alonzo), Paul F Monaghan (Bustopher Jones/Asparagus/Growl Tiger), Joel Morris (Carbucketty), Natasha Mould (Jemima), Benjamin Mundy (Coricopat), Antoine Murray-Straughan (Rum Tum Tugger), Joseph Poulton (Quaxo/Mistoffelees), Nicholas Pound (Old Deuteronomy), Sophia Ragavelas (alternate Grizabella), Clare Rickard (Jellylorum/ Griddlebone), Adam Salter (Bill Bailey), Laurie Scarth (Jennyanydots), Hannah Kenna Thomas (Victoria/White Cat), Callum Train (Munkustrap), Zizi Strallen (Demeter), Dawn Williams (Rumpleteazer) and Benjamin Yates (Mungojerrie).

Ryan Gover, Barry Haywood, Alice Jane, Grace McKee, Dane Quixall and Libby Watts complete the company as swings. It is rumoured that Kerry Ellis will take over from Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in February.

Review: Cats at the London Palladium starring Nicole Scherzinger

Antoine Murray-Straughan as the Rum Tum Tugger

Cats

London Palladium

Reviewed on Friday 12th December 2014

★★★★

The biggest marmite musical of all-time, Cats, has returned to the West End and completely taken over the London Palladium. Based on T.S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical is set on a special night of the year when all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball.

Photo Feature: Cats starring Nicole Scherzinger opens at the London Palladium

Last night (11th December) the West End revival of Cats officially opened at the London Palladium. Nicole Scherzinger made her theatrical stage debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking show. Check out pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The musical received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. 

In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years. Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 10 languages and has been seen by over 50 million people world-wide. 

Sneak peek at... West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium starring Nicole Scherzinger

Ahead of its official opening tomorrow (11th December), producers of Cats at the London Palladium have released production images featuring the cast in action. The revival stars Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Cats, one of the longest-running shows in West End and on Broadway, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. 

In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years. Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 10 languages and has been seen by over 50 million people world-wide. 

Full casting confirmed for West End revival of Cats

Full casting has been announced for the West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium.

Nicole Scherzinger (pictured right) makes her West End debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical. The show opens on 11th December (previews from 6th December).

It has now been confirmed that Antoine Murray-Straughan and Benjamin Yates will star as Rum Tum Tugger and Mungojerrie.

They join the previously announced: Cameron Ball (Macavity/Admetus), Kathryn Barnes (Tantomile), Cassie Clare (Cassandra), Ross Finnie (Skimbleshanks), Charlene Ford (Bombalurina), Stevie Hutchinson (Pouncival), Adam Lake (Alonzo), Paul F Monaghan (Bustopher Jones/Asparagus/Growl Tiger), Joel Morris (Carbucketty), Natasha Mould (Jemima), Benjamin Mundy (Coricopat), Joseph Poulton (Quaxo/Mistoffelees), Nicholas Pound (Old Deuteronomy), Sophia Ragavelas (alternate Grizabella), Clare Rickard (Jellylorum/ Griddlebone), Adam Salter (Bill Bailey), Laurie Scarth (Jennyanydots), Hannah Kenna Thomas (Victoria/White Cat), Callum Train (Munkustrap), Zizi Strallen (Demeter) and Dawn Williams (Rumpleteazer).

Nicole Scherzinger stars in Cats at London Palladium

It has been confirmed that Nicole Scherzinger will star as Grizabella in the West End revival of Cats. 

The show will open at the London Palladium on Thursday 11th December 2014 (previews from 6th December) and run until Saturday 28th February 2015. Scherzinger will appear until Saturday 7th February.

Discussing her new theatre role, Scherzinger said: “I am really thrilled to be making my West End debut in such an iconic show and I couldn’t be more excited. To have the opportunity to work with Andrew, Trevor and Gillian is a dream come true. 

"I grew up listening to Andrew’s extraordinary music and was lucky enough, a couple of years ago, to record Cats’ beautiful song Memory. Andrew’s score is breathtaking and I am truly honoured to have been asked to take part in what I know will be a very special time in my career. I can’t wait to begin rehearsals.”

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the original creative team - Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber - have reunited to bring Cats back to the West End this Christmas.

GOSSIP: Nicole Scherzinger in discussions to star as Grizabella in Cats at the London Palladium

According to Baz Bamigboye, Nicole Scherzinger is in "very early discussions" to star as Grizabella in the West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium.

As previously announced, the original creative team - Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber - have reunited to bring Cats back to the West End this Christmas.

Scherzinger has previously worked with Lloyd Webber on several occasions. She has performed his work (including numbers from The Phantom of the Opera and Evita) on the Royal Variety Show and an Andrew Lloyd Webber ITV special. Scherzinger previously starred as Maureen in the Hollywood Bowl production of Rent.