Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Really Useful Group today announced a name-change – as expected it’s now LW Entertainment – and a line-up of projects, confirming a Spring 2026 Broadway transfer of the Off Broadway hit Cats reimagining Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
While that news isn’t surprising – a Broadway Jellicle Ball has been all but guaranteed since the revitalized musical took New York by storm last year in its Off Broadway incarnation – today’s lengthy announcement includes a deep-buried reference to Superstar, which drew raves earlier this month when the three-night, sold-out concert version starring Cynthia Erivo played L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl.
“With rave reviews across the board, Jesus Christ Superstar, has just played a sell-out, three-night concert for over 50,000 people at the Hollywood Bowl, starring Cynthia Erivo, the first female Jesus, and Adam Lambert as Judas,” the press release states. “Described by Playbill as ‘as close to a religious experience as a musical theatre performance can get,’ this production is prompting calls for an arena tour.”
The announcement did not specify whether LW Entertainment would answer those calls, nor say when or even if such an arena tour could launch. Nor did it mention casting. Deadline has reached out to a spokesperson for the company for additional comment.
Today’s announcement formalized the long-brewing rebrand of Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, now LW Entertainment. The London-based group, led by CEO James McKnight, manages Lloyd Webber’s body of work, “expanding across multiple entertainment formats” and will focus solely on copyright exploitation (theatrical production will be handled by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals).
LW’s mission will include, the announcement continues, “developing brand and franchise strategies for some of the world’s most celebrated titles, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Sunset Boulevard and Starlight Express.”
McKnight, CEO of LW Entertainment, said in a statement, “It is a privilege to be part of the next chapter of the Lloyd Webber family business. For nearly 50 years, this company has worked with the best in the industry to deliver transformational entertainment. LW Entertainment is about doing more of the same. We want to spread our impact across the world, taking the magic of Andrew’s work into more formats. I firmly believe that great business strategy is led by creativity, passion and partnership. Looking around us, I am not sure we could ask for much more.”
Today’s announcement comes as Lloyd Webber’s work is enjoying a significant revival. In addition to Cats: The Jellicle Ball (in which directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch reimagine the familiar musical in a Pose-like Ballroom environment) and the Erivo Superstar, the composer’s Sunset Blvd. returned to the West End and Broadway, and The Phantom of the Opera has been transformed in Manhattan into an immersive, Sleep No More-style production called Masquerade.
Masquerade, LW Entertainment says, “is part of significant, global plans for The Phantom of the Opera over the coming years across live theatre, film, publishing, music, and many other areas.”
Among those plans: LW Entertainment will expand the Phantom of the Opera franchise with a new worldwide book publishing program, in partnership with Penguin Random House LLC., which launches in Fall 2026 with Our Strange Duet, a young adult reimagining of the Gothic love story that will bring a new voice to Christine Daaé, a central part of the Phantom canon.
Also, LW Entertainment says it has engaged Justin Leach of Qubic Pictures, Co-Executive Producer on Star Wars: Visions and showrunner of Netflix’s Eden and Leviathan, to explore opportunities for a new Phantom anime.
Leach said in a statement, “I’m incredibly excited to join forces with the talented team at LW Entertainment to bring The Phantom of the Opera to life through anime. This project is a rare opportunity to unite the grandeur of musical theatre with the artistry of Japanese animation – two beloved traditions that have touched audiences around the world. Our goal is to create a timeless and emotionally resonant experience that speaks to a global audience and honors the legacy of this iconic story.“
In addition to McKnight, the LW Entertainment exec teams includes Louise Hughes, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel; Lawrence Chapman, Group Chief Financial Officer; and Libby Grant, Chief Commercial Officer. The composer’s focus remains on musical composition.
Madeleine Lloyd Webber, Group President of LW Entertainment and LW Theatres, said, “’The heart and soul of the company is creativity and innovation’ – a quote from Bob Iger which perfectly reflects LW Entertainment. This is a very exciting new chapter for our family business, while respecting and building upon RUG’s extraordinary legacy. The Lloyd Webber family are aligned and share the vision of LW Entertainment: to create, entertain, excite, challenge, disrupt, and inspire audiences across many art forms for generations to come. The brilliant team led by James McKnight, ably supported by our chairman David Chance and the rest of our Board, have already delivered innovation, and I’m excited and optimistic about the ambitious plans they have for the future.”
Not mentioned in today’s announcement was any news of a Broadway transfer for the hit London Evita revival starring Rachel Zegler. Lloyd Webber’s new musical, The Illusionist, will be produced, the announcement confirms, but where and when details were not specified.