NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams bestowed one of the city’s highest civilian honors upon legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on Friday, praising him as the greatest Broadway musical force in history.
“We are looking at really the greatest of all time,” Adams said before handing a ceremonial Key to the City award to Lloyd Webber during a press conference outside the Majestic Theatre in Manhattan. “A true, true contributor to Broadway, and he keeps the lights on in our hearts.”
Lloyd Webber, 75, whose award-winning Broadway productions include “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita,” noted he was born and raised in the United Kingdom, but that he has always in his heart felt like a New Yorker.
“This is the home of musicals, and where I want to be,” he said.
The Key to the City award comes as the cast of Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” prepare for their final show at the Majestic this Sunday, capping off an extraordinary 35-year run, the longest in Broadway history.
Adams suggested Lloyd Webber should next consider reviving his “Cats” production on Broadway.
“You can bring ‘Cats’ back because we hate rats in New York,” said Adams, who has made rodent mitigation a cornerstone of his municipal agenda.
Webber did not address Adams’ tongue-in-cheek proposal, but said he remains committed to keeping Broadway flourishing.
“I hope that Broadway continues to thrive and that new shows come in,” he said.
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