Llyod Webber Tones Down After Cancer

Long time Broadway produce and seven time Tony winner Andrew Llyod Webber has a new outlook on his work after surviving prostate cancer: less manic workaholism, which in turn means less original productions and less involvement in the overall production process of pieces he’s collaborated on. Disappointing news for Broadway and fans, Llyod Webber penned “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the longest running production in the history of Broadway, the “Phantom of the Opera,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and many others, Llyod Webber seems content with his decision to take a step back. At age 63, he’s not only a cancer survivor, but an industry survivor as well.

Which is part of the reason he is content with stepping back: not only has he more than made his mark internationally with his musicals that go down in history as some of the best productions ever, but he has seen some of his original shows reworked to the level of excellence that he holds himself to, including the recent revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Ontario. His last penned work, a sequel to “Phantom of the Opera” titled “Love Never Dies,” however, was not well received when it opened in London, and only had slightly more success in Melbourne, Australia. Llyod Webber was diagnosed and started treatment for cancer starting in the middle of writing the piece and setting up production, which is undoubtedly a mind-boggling task. Needless to say, Llyod Webber was not a significant force in the actual production itself, “I just said, ‘That’s the score, do what you can,’ ” he recalled telling Simon Phillips, the director in Melbourne. That being said, he is ready to bring “Love Never Dies” to New York, saying he’s ready to just leave it as it is and “let it be discovered” on DVD, which will be recorded during the finale performance in Australia.

With nothing new in the works, Mr. Webber is ready to just “show up on opening night” and let his team do the rest, something that not many of his close colleagues think will actually happen, given his notorious work ethic and creative energy. Either way, spending at least a little less time on the job and creating is a big step for him.