The hit London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” is set to make its way to Broadway later this year, bringing with it the star power of Nicole Scherzinger and the rest of the West End principal cast. As previously revealed by Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye, Scherzinger will make her Broadway debut, reprising her critically acclaimed role as Norma Desmond.
While specific production dates and the venue are yet to be announced, producers have confirmed that the musical will feature Scherzinger alongside her West End castmates Tom Francis (Joe Gillis), Grace Hodgett-Young (Betty Schaefer), and David Thaxton (Max Von Mayerling). Additional casting and preview dates will be announced soon, with a fall 2024 opening widely speculated.
Directed by Jamie Lloyd, known for his work on “A Doll’s House,” and produced by his Jamie Lloyd Company, “Sunset Boulevard” began its London performances last September. The production received critical acclaim for its streamlined reimagining, with The New York Times praising Scherzinger’s performance as “career-defining.”
“Sunset Boulevard” is based on Billy Wilder’s 1950 cinematic masterpiece and was adapted for the stage in 1993 by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with book writers and lyricists Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The role of Norma Desmond was originally played by Patti LuPone in the West End, though she was soon replaced by Betty Buckley. Glenn Close famously took on the role when the musical opened on Broadway in 1994.
The original production of “Sunset Boulevard” was not initially embraced by critics, despite featuring some of Lloyd Webber’s most celebrated songs, such as “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” These songs have since become staples in musical theater.
The official synopsis of the revival reads: “Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter who can’t sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and compelling relationship leads to disastrous circumstances.”
The creative team for the upcoming Broadway production includes Soutra Gilmour (set and costume design), Fabian Aloise (choreography), Alan Williams (music supervisor and musical director), Jack Knowles (lighting design), Adam Fisher (sound design), and Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design and cinematography).
In addition to The Jamie Lloyd Company, the production is being produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, and Gavin Kalin Productions, in arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd, based on the original Paramount film.
Nicole Scherzinger, a platinum-selling singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, rose to fame as a member of The Pussycat Dolls. She has previously starred in a West End revival of Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” and appeared in the NBC musical television special “Annie Live!” Her other credits include Disney’s “Moana,” ABC’s 2017 remake of “Dirty Dancing,” and judging roles on “X Factor,” “Australia’s Got Talent,” and “The Masked Singer.”
Tom Francis’ credits include UK productions of “& Juliet,” “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Rent.” Grace Hodgett-Young has appeared on stage in “The Little Mermaid,” and David Thaxton’s extensive stage credits include “Les Misérables,” “Come From Away,” “Passion,” “Love Never Dies,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar – The Concert.”
The West End run of “Sunset Boulevard” closed on January 16 after a 16-week stint at the Savoy Theatre in London. Jamie Lloyd’s reimagining of the musical, adapted from Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, marked Scherzinger’s return to the stage since her appearance in Lloyd Webber’s 2015 production of “Cats.”
With book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, “Sunset Boulevard” features an essential score, including the songs “The Perfect Year,” “With One Look,” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”
The upcoming Broadway revival of “Sunset Boulevard,” starring Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, will play at the St. James Theatre beginning September 28, with the opening night set for October 20. To coincide with the Broadway run, a cast album recorded live at the Savoy Theatre during the recent West End engagement will be released globally in October via The Other Songs, a label founded by Alastair and Billy Webber, the sons of “Sunset Boulevard” composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Scherzinger will be joined by her London co-stars Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett-Young, and Olivier winner David Thaxton, all making their Broadway debuts. Scherzinger and Hodgett-Young received WhatsOnStage Awards for their performances.
Directed by Jamie Lloyd and choreographed by Fabian Aloise, this new production of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (score), Don Black (book and lyrics), and Christopher Hampton (book and lyrics) is designed by Soutra Gilmour (sets and costumes), Jack Knowles (lighting design), Adam Fisher (sound design), and Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design and cinematography). Alan Williams serves as the music supervisor and musical director. “Sunset Boulevard” is based on the film by Billy Wilder.
This version of “Sunset Boulevard” is a stripped-down, modern dress take on the classic story about a faded actress on the brink of madness, a struggling screenwriter who becomes her paramour, and a murder amid cinema’s Golden Age. In a review, a critic noted that “the word ‘revelation’ is almost always overused…but Scherzinger is certainly tipping in that direction.”
Jamie Lloyd’s West End reimagining of “Sunset Boulevard” has won seven trophies at the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards. The production triumphed in categories including Best Direction (for Lloyd), Best Performer in a Musical (for Nicole Scherzinger), Best Professional Debut Performance (for Grace Hodgett-Young), Best Musical Direction/Supervision (for Alan Williams), Best Lighting Design (for Jack Knowles), Best Sound Design (for Adam Fisher), and Best Video Design (for Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom). “Sunset Boulevard” was the most-awarded production of the night.
Source: Deadline, The New York Times, WhatsOnStage
