CATS Pounces Back to Broadway with a Chart-Topping Star - Meet Leona Lewis!

As reported earlier today, chart-topping British pop star Leona Lewis will officially take on the iconic role of "Grizabella," the Glamour Cat, in the first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats. The production begins preview performances on Thursday, July 14, 2016, with an official opening set for Sunday, July 31, 2016, at the Neil Simon Theatre. In celebration of the big announcement, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of Lewis' best performances!

Lewis has sold over 20 million records worldwide, reached #1 in over 35 countries, and is a 3-time GRAMMY nominee, a 7-time BRIT Award nominee also has also been nominated for MTV VMAs, EMAs, Billboard and most recently in 2016 a CMT award for her performance of 'Girl Crush' with Adam Lambert. Leona became the first British female solo artist to top the US Billboard 200 album chart in more than 20 years. Leona is a vocal powerhouse who is renowned for her massive four octave mezzo-soprano vocal range and power.

When Cats opens, Andrew Lloyd Webber will, once again, have the rare distinction of having three musicals running simultaneously on Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock - The Musical, and Cats.

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Lewis first auditioned for the UK version of THE X-FACTOR in 2006 with the seminal Judy Garland number 'Over the Rainbow':

On the show's finale that season - which Lewis was crowned the winner of - she performed Whitney Houston's showstopping 'I Will Always Love You':

Following chart-topping hits and widespread acclaim, Lewis returned to THE X-FACTOR in 2008, to perform Snow Patrol's 'Run':

Lewis rose to fame in the United States with her single 'Bleeding Love' in 2007 - check out the music video:

In 2009, Lewis released the single 'Happy' and its music video:

The star's latest hit, 'Thunder,' struck airwaves in 2015 - check it out!

BWW wishes Lewis luck in her Broadway debut - and we can't wait to see (and hear) what she does with CATS' classic 'Memory!'

Photo via Leona Lewis' Official Website

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