Leona Lewis Takes Final Bow in CATS Today

Leona Lewis will sing her final "Memory" today, before her time with Cats becomes just that. After taking on the role of Grizabella following pop star Nicole Scherzinger's decision to depart the revival in favor of being a judge on The X Factor, Lewis joined the production in time for the Broadway transfer, which opened July 31st. She will be succeeded in the role of The Glamour Cat by Mamie Parris, who begins performances as Grizabella on October 17th.

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," the original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre (currently home to Lloyd Webber's newest hit, School of Rock - The Musical), where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization.

The creative team for the new Broadway production of CATS includes John Napier (Scenic & Costume Design), Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), Mick Potter (Sound Design), choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, and direction byTrevor Nunn.

With the opening of CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber, once again, has the rare distinction of having three musicals running simultaneously on Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock - The Musical, and CATS.

Since its world premiere, CATS has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 15 languages, and has been seen by more than 73 million people worldwide. Originally directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by John Napier, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Abe Jacob, CATS opened in the West End in 1981. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1982 where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won GRAMMY AWARDS for Best Cast Album. CATS hit song "Memory" has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical held the title of longest-running musical in Broadway history until it was surpassed in 2006 by Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. The original Broadway production closed on September 10, 2000 and is currently the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. This marks the first New York revival of the beloved musical.

This new production of CATS is licensed by The Really Useful Group and produced by TheShubert Organization, The Nederlander Organization, The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh, along with Roy Furman, John Gore, Grove Entertainment, Stella La Rue, Burnt Umber Productions, Independent Presenters Network and Peter May. Nina Lannanserves as Executive Producer.