Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is “devastated” when he announced his eldest son Nicholas is “seriously ill” with stomach cancer.
The Oscar-winning composer, who wrote the music for hit shows like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, will miss the opening of Bad Cinderella in New York at the Imperial Theater because his son was hospitalized.
In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Lord Lloyd-Webber said: “I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is seriously ill.
“As my friends and family know, he has been battling stomach cancer for 18 months and Nick is now in the hospital.
“I have therefore been unable to attend the recent Bad Cinderella previews and as things stand I will not be able to cheer on the amazing cast, crew and orchestra on opening night next Thursday.
“We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He fights bravely with his indomitable humor, but right now my place is with him and the family.”
Nicholas, 43, is also a composer and has scored music for an adaptation of The Little Prince.
He was also nominated for a Grammy for Musical Theater Album alongside his father, Greg Wells and David Zippel for Lord Lloyd-Webber’s Cinderella.
His dad’s new show begins Broadway is a revamped version of the London West End name Cinderella, which takes its name from a key number in the show and has new numbers, lead actress and title.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, who has three Grammysfour 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, 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.