Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is “devastated” as he announced his eldest son Nicholas is “critically ill” with gastric 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 Theatre due to his son being hospitalised.
In a statement Lord Lloyd-Webber said: “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.
“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, 43, is also a composer and has scored music for an 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.
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, 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.
