Scherzinger leaves ‘Cats,’ catching composer off guard

The cat’s literally out of the bag. Hawaii entertainer Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of the Pussycat Dolls and more recently the fading glamour cat Grizabella in the London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway-bound “Cats” musical, has decided to bow out of the New York reboot this summer. Leona Lewis is rumored to purr in.

Scherzinger’s exit surprised many, particularly composer Lloyd Webber, since the Tony Award-winning musical, which was to begin previews July 15 at the Neil Simon Theatre, was sure to become a Broadway fave amid a new generation of devotees.

Scherzinger quit a week before rehearsals were to start; she’ll become a judge on TV’s “The X-Factor” in the U.K. instead.

“I’m furious because I really believe she’s a really fantastically talented girl, and I really went out on a limb to get her into the London Palladium here,” Lloyd Webber told The Economist Radio.

Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” — Broadway’s longest-running musical — still is at the Majestic Theatre, and his “School of Rock” is a hit at the Winter Garden, long the home of the original “Cats.”

Scherzinger cited contract delays for her decision but said, “I love and respect Andrew. … I’m so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.” Grizabella is the cat who sings the show’s lingering hit, “Memory” … something Scherzinger apparently has lost. …

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: Sean Jones, the actor and son of ailing musician Steve Jones and wife Lee Ann, visited home recently to check on dad, who is battling prostate cancer. Sean is prepping to perform in “Timon of Athens,” starring Anthony Heald, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore., beginning July 24, and the unexpected visit lifted dad’s morale. A terrific bassist when he’s able to perform, Steve has attempted to do some gigs to pay mounting bills. Thus, he still can use support via his GoFundMe account at gofundme.com/uwx49tn5. …

TRADE WINDS: Tickets are now on sale for “Brighter Still,” the musical tribute to the late director Ronald E. Bright, set for 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Hawaii Theatre. The iconic educator’s gallery of showbiz luminaries — whose careers have embraced Broadway, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Japan and borders beyond our shores — are mounting a show via the newly minted I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, to perpetuate the legacy of Mr. B and enable future stage troupers to discover the magic of theater. Tickets: $35 to $150. Call 528-0506 or visit hawaiitheatre.com/ticket. …

And a tidbit about the Bright ohana: Grandson Timothy Bright has been accepted to Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he’ll take classes for two years, beginning this fall, and then spend a full year studying at the Globe Theatre in London. Sounds like parents Clarke and Linelle Bright and grandmother Mo will be visiting New York and London. …

RANDOM NOTES: Local boy Anthony Ruivivar (“American Horror Story,” “Banshee”) will be seen in 10 episodes of MTV’s “Scream” series, which has been filming in New Orleans. The horror franchise launches its second season Monday. …

Ruivivar also has completed a pilot for The CW’s “Frequency,” a series that has been picked up by the network, with production in Vancouver. Ruivivar is cast opposite Riley Smith, Peyton List and Mekhi Phifer. He portrays Stan Hope, an NYPD plainclothes detective, according to deadline.com. The show, a remake of the film starring Jim Caviezel, who communicates via ham radio with his dead dad, played by Dennis Quaid, tweaks the story with a female police detective who also chats with her deceased dad via ham radio. “Frequency” has a Wednesday slot, premiere date to be announced. …

Meanwhile, Anthony’s dad, Tony Ruivivar, who fronts the Society of Seven group, will return to the Suncoast in Las Vegas for pre-Christmas shows Dec. 17 and 18. Yes, Lhey Bella will be featured vocalist, along with holiday tunes. …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com