The $1 Million Swimming Pool: The Full Story Behind Patti LuPone’s “Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool”

The story of the "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool" is one of the most celebrated and dramatic tales in modern Broadway history, a perfect blend of high-stakes musical theater, a shocking firing, and a legendary diva's ultimate revenge. As of December 10, 2025, the pool remains an iconic symbol of the infamous feud between the world-renowned composer, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the formidable, two-time Tony Award-winning actress, Patti LuPone. This is more than just a pool; it's a monument to a professional relationship that went spectacularly sour over the casting of the musical *Sunset Boulevard*.

The saga involves a multi-million-dollar lawsuit, a controversial casting decision involving Hollywood star Glenn Close, and a theatrical betrayal that resulted in a large financial settlement. LuPone, known for her powerful stage presence and uncompromising honesty, famously used the money to construct a swimming pool at her Connecticut home, giving it the now-legendary, tongue-in-cheek title as a permanent, watery tribute to the man who funded it.

The Full Biography: Patti LuPone vs. Andrew Lloyd Webber

The relationship between composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and actress Patti LuPone is one of the most complex and volatile in musical theater, beginning with a triumph and ending in a spectacular public falling-out. To understand the "Memorial Pool," one must first understand the careers and initial collaborations of these two titans.

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• Andrew Lloyd Webber (ALW): Born March 22, 1948. A British composer and impresario whose works have dominated global musical theater for decades. He is one of only fifteen people to have achieved EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award). His major works include *Jesus Christ Superstar*, *Evita*, *Cats*, *The Phantom of the Opera*, and *School of Rock*. He was knighted in 1992 and made a life peer in 1997.
• Patti LuPone: Born April 21, 1949. An American actress and singer widely considered one of the greatest stage performers of her generation. She is a founding member of The Acting Company and a three-time Tony Award winner. Her signature roles include Eva Perón in *Evita*, Fantine in *Les Misérables*, and Mama Rose in *Gypsy*.
• Initial Collaboration (*Evita*): LuPone won her first Tony Award in 1980 for originating the role of Eva Perón in the Broadway production of Webber and Tim Rice’s *Evita*. This established a powerful and successful professional bond between the composer and the star, setting the stage for their next major project a decade later.

The *Sunset Boulevard* Scandal That Built a Pool

The dramatic turn in the ALW-LuPone relationship began with the London premiere of *Sunset Boulevard* in 1993. The musical, based on the classic Billy Wilder film, tells the story of Norma Desmond, a faded silent-film star desperate for a comeback.

The West End Success

Patti LuPone was personally chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the role of Norma Desmond in the show's world premiere in London's West End. The production was a success, and LuPone's performance was critically acclaimed, cementing her as the definitive Norma Desmond of the time. She believed, as is customary in major productions, that she would transfer with the show to Broadway.

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The Broadway Betrayal

As the show prepared for its highly anticipated Broadway debut, rumors began to circulate. The show’s producer, Lloyd Webber, decided to replace LuPone with Hollywood star Glenn Close for the Los Angeles run, which was intended to precede Broadway. When the Los Angeles production, starring Close, was a massive hit, Webber and his production company, the Really Useful Group, made the stunning decision to bypass LuPone entirely and cast Close in the Broadway production.

This decision was a professional and personal blow to LuPone, who felt betrayed by the composer who had championed her for *Evita*. The reason was widely speculated to be financial, with producers believing Close's name would guarantee a more lucrative run on Broadway.

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The Lawsuit and the Settlement

Patti LuPone did not take the slight lightly. She immediately filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Andrew Lloyd Webber and his company. The legal battle was highly publicized and intensely scrutinized by the theater world. Ultimately, the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement. The exact amount was never officially disclosed, but it was widely reported to be a substantial, multi-million-dollar figure, estimated to be around $1 million or more.

The Legacy of the "Memorial Pool"

It is what LuPone did with the settlement money that immortalized the feud and created the legend of the "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool."

A Monument to Spite

LuPone used the entire settlement to pay for the construction of a swimming pool at her home in Kent, Connecticut. She then gave the pool its now-iconic, sarcastic name. The "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool" became a literal, tangible monument to the professional slight she endured and the financial compensation she received as a result.

• The Symbolism: The pool is a powerful symbol of a Broadway star's ability to fight back against the powerful producers and composers who control the industry. It represents financial justice and personal vindication.
• The Location: Located at her country home, the pool is a private, yet internationally famous, piece of theater lore.
• The Quote: LuPone has often recounted the story, explaining that the pool is a constant, physical reminder of the episode. She has been quoted calling Webber "the definition of a sad sack" and has openly discussed the bitterness of the experience, though she has also confirmed a later, professional détente.

The Détente and Reconciliation

Despite the highly public and acrimonious feud, the relationship between the two artists has since thawed. In the years following the *Sunset Boulevard* debacle, LuPone and Webber have appeared together publicly and even performed together. In 2018, the two reportedly reconciled before the publication of Webber's memoir, demonstrating that even the deepest theater feuds can eventually reach a détente.

LuPone also famously participated in a tribute to Webber, performing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from *Evita*, a performance that signaled a professional peace treaty. This reconciliation, however, has not diminished the legend of the pool.

The Impact on Broadway Lore and Topical Authority

The story of the "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool" is now a cornerstone of Broadway mythology, frequently cited in discussions about diva behavior, producer-star relationships, and the financial risks of major musical productions. It serves as a reminder of the drama that often unfolds backstage, away from the glittering lights of the Great White Way.

The story has been featured in:

• Patti LuPone’s Memoir: She details the events of the firing and the construction of the pool in her own autobiography.
• Podcasts and Documentaries: The feud is a popular topic for theater history podcasts like the Wondery series "Diss and Tell," which dedicated an episode to the complex relationship.
• Theater Journalism: It is consistently brought up in articles discussing the careers of both LuPone and Webber, proving its enduring relevance.

While Andrew Lloyd Webber has gone on to build or renovate many luxurious pools at his own properties, including a recently approved pool house project, none carry the same weight of history and theatrical vengeance as the one named in his honor by Patti LuPone.

The pool is not a memorial to a person, but a "memorial" to a costly business decision, paid for by the person who made it. It is a legendary, million-dollar splash of spite that continues to make theater fans smile every time the story is told, confirming Patti LuPone’s status as a true Broadway icon.