Cats: musical returns to Broadway for first time since 1982

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical was seen as reviving a flagging Broadway

The furry line-up will begin caterwauling in July at the Neil Simon theatre

Much-beloved musical “Cats” by Andrew Lloyd Webber will return to New York this summer, more than 30 years after it first hit Broadway.

The Schubert Organization and the Nederlander Organization, Broadway’s two biggest theaters that have hosted Mr Lloyd Webber’s musicals before, announced on Thursday that they would join forces to bring the musical back to New York.

The show that was seen to be the start of the British megamusical, as well as the hit that revived a flagging Broadway, will be taken on by original director Trevor Nunn. He will be joined by “Hamilton” choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, with the aim of keeping original choreography in mind.

It had a successful short run in London, starring Nicole Scherzinger, and has played in 30 countries.

Variety said the revival was "only a matter of time" after months of talks. Mr Lloyd Webber is already on Broadway with “The Phantom of the Opera” and “School of Rock”.

“Cats” first came to Broadway in 1982 and proved to be hugely influential as a global brand name. Its first run lasted a staggering 18 years, the longest in Broadway history, until that record was beaten by “The Phantom of the Opera”, as reported by The New York Times.

The musical returns in July 2016 at the Neil Simon theatre.