Overview
- Speaking in an interview published Saturday, the 78-year-old composer said he sought help 16 months ago after a downhill spiral that left his family distressed and his wife feeling she could not go on.
- He said a stay in a clinic did not work, then he began attending AA, starting with a meeting in Switzerland, and he now goes every day whether he is in London, Hampshire, or New York.
- He previously stopped drinking during the 2015–16 run of School of Rock but relapsed, drank in secret to try to break writer’s block, and later realized he was hiding the habit with vodka.
- He is auctioning the last of his wine through Christie’s from April 22 to May 6, with proceeds reported to benefit the Music in Secondary Schools Trust.
- He says sobriety has increased his output, with Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway now and two new musicals in development.