Randy Weiner, the producer behind immersive productions like "Sleep No More" and "Masquerade," has expressed his desire to take over the recently shuttered Broadway show "Cats: The Jellicle Ball." Weiner stated that he believes the current economic structure of Broadway is "predicated on failing" and that there are viable ways to produce successful, large-scale shows in New York.
"Cats: The Jellicle Ball" is set to close on August 8 after a four-month run, a decision that has caused concern within the theater community, particularly as the show received three Tony Awards in June. Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of "Cats," had previously warned that Broadway could not sustain itself solely on established hits and urged industry leaders to address what he described as a crisis.
Weiner, who is currently producing "The Phantom of the Opera" as an immersive "Masquerade" off-Broadway, suggested that Broadway's reliance on established hits alone is unsustainable. He noted that multiple productions are often waiting to occupy a venue once a show closes.
"I love that show. I would so take that on... Broadway economics make it hard to find a new audience, and Broadway’s business structure is predicated on failing," Weiner told Page Six. He believes that Broadway venues could benefit from integrating other revenue streams, citing his own successful production of "Masquerade" which is also the proprietor of the building and its bar. This model, he suggested, could help mitigate the high rents often associated with Times Square theaters.
Weiner indicated that he would be willing to create a dedicated space and incorporate additional elements like a bar and dancing to support a revived "Cats" production. He also mentioned that some performers from "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" had previously been involved in his nightclub, The Stranger.
Webber's "Jellicle Ball" closes after an initial four-month engagement on Broadway. Weiner's proposal comes amid broader discussions about the financial challenges facing New York's theater district and the need for innovative production and business models to ensure its long-term viability.