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Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Musical Genius?

Here is my lovely shrine to the greatest man in the world, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber!

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born on March 22, 1948 to William and Jean Lloyd Webber. In 1951 his younger brother Julian was born. Even at a young age, Andrew loved to make his own music. Andrew also had a great interest in inspecting ancient monuments around England. It and history were what many thought he would choose to do for a career. However, his Aunt Vi introduced him to the theatre, and under her advice started writing music of his own. In 1956, Andrew went to Westminster and started composing music for the school's plays. In 1962, Andrew won a Challenge Scholarship that reduced his tuition at Westminster. Andrew won another scholarship in 1964 to transfer to Oxford. Time Rice and Andrew met in 1965 and consequently, Andrew dropped out of Oxford to pursue music with Tim. The first musical, The Likes of Us, was a failure, but soon afterwards Joseph was created. The first showing was at Colet Court in 1968. Jesus Christ Superstar came next. In 1971, Andrew married Sarah Jane Hugill. Andrew and Alan Ayckbourn, in 1975, started work on a new musical, Jeeves. Jeeves was not a success and Andrew went back to Tim. Together they wrote Evita in late 1975. The next musical, Cats, paired Andrew with the deceased poet T.S. Eliot and producer, Cameron Mackintosh. It was an incredible hit and beat A Chorus Line for longest running musical and highest grossing musical. Cats made Andrew rich and famous and ready to start a musical about trains. Starlight Express was created in 1984, the most expensive musical created up to that point. The same year, Andrew divorced Sarah Hugill and married Sarah Brightman. Andrew's next work was Requiem. It isn't a musical, but serious music for a Mass. Sarah Brightman sang the female soprano part. Andrew's next work, Phantom of the Opera also included Sarah. One of Andrew's most famous works, Phantom was created in 1986. Aspects of Love, Andrew's next venture, opened in 1989. Its intimate setting and songs were critically praised. In 1991, Andrew and Sarah decided to call it quits and on February 15, 1991, Andrew got married yet again to Madeleine Gurdon. The glittery and tragic musical, Sunset Boulevard came out in 1993, but closed after a few years due to lack of "star power". In 1997, Andrew was knighted and became Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Also in 1997, Whistle Down the Wind came out. The show had a lot of promise, but closed due to extensive problems. The long awaited Evita movie also came out and was a box-office success. Andrew is currently working on a sequel to Phantom. He has won many awards including an Academy Award, Tony Awards, Grammy Awards, Drama Desk awards, and Critic Circle awards.

Email: etcey_n_teazer@hotmail.com