Andrew Lloyd Webber 'Devastated' to Be Unable to Attend Tony Awards Due to Health

"I am devastated not to be able to attend the Tony Awards in New York tonight where 'The Phantom of the Opera' is being honoured for its twenty five years on Broadway," Lloyd Webber said in a statement. "My colleagues felt that it is time to explain why I have been unable to participate fully in my professional and social life over the last eight months.

"I have been in constant pain since October 2012 following treatment for a problem with my right thigh. As a consequence I have undergone countless medical procedures and two major back operations.

"This has affected my ability to undertake my normal work schedule. I was unable to attend the 25th anniversary of 'The Phantom of the Opera' on Broadway or the opening of 'The Wizard of Oz' in Toronto, Canada earlier this year. I also had to miss the funeral of my good friend Michael Winner and have had to cancel many other personal engagements.

"I have refrained from saying anything until now, but I have had to reluctantly agree with my colleagues that I needed to explain why I have had to withdraw from the Tonys tonight."

Expected at tonight's awards are host Neil Patrick Harris, Tom Hanks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Scarlett Johansson, Sigourney Weaver, Anna Kendrick, Zachary Quinto, Sally Field, Audra McDonald, Cyndi Lauper, Alan Cumming, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Megan Hilty, Andrew Rannells, Jane Krakowski, Bernadette Peters, Cuba Gooding Jr, Jesse Eisenberg, Jon Cryer, Matthew Morrison, Laura Benanti, Steven Van Zandt, Hal Prince, Barrett Foa, Martha Plimpton and Mike Tyson, among others.