Loni Ackerman Leads Gateway’s Sunset Boulevard 8/3-20

Casting has been announced for The Gateway's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard," playing Aug. 3-20 in Bellport, N.Y.

Gateway's production will be directed by Larry Rabin, who returns to The Gateway after directing 2008's "The Producers." He is the winner of the 2008 Ovation Award for Best Direction for his Los Angeles production of "Singin' in the Rain." Rabin is joined by music director Jeffrey Buchsbaum who has served as music director for many Gateway Productions, including last season's "Hairspray," as well as "Cats," "Evita" and "Phantom."

In a 1995 New York Times interview, Lloyd Webber described "Sunset Boulevard's" lead role, iconic silent screen star Norma Desmond, as "without any doubt the most bravura role I've ever written. It's a big, central role, and it requires actresses of a certain stature to play it."

Loni Ackerman, long associated with Lloyd Webber's musicals, brings Desmond's elegance and bravado to Bellport's production. Previous roles include Grizabella in the original Broadway production of "Cats" and Eva Perón in the original Broadway production of "Evita."

Ackerman will be joined by Robert Townsend as struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis and Joel Robinson as Max von Mayerling, Desmond's butler and first husband. Townsend was in the national touring companies of "Camelot" and "Mama Mia," as well as the international touring company of "Grease." Robinson was a member of the original Broadway productions of "Cats" and "Les Misérables."

Iconic filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille will be played by Philip Hoffman whose Broadway credits include "A Catered Affair," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Into the Woods." Gail Bennett will be playing aspiring writer Betty Schaffer. Bennett has appeared as Mary in the national tour of "Mary Poppins."

The Gateway's 2011 season continues in Bellport with "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," playing Aug. 24-Sept.11.

The non-profit Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to audiences within the Long Island region and beyond. It continues the tradition established by the Gateway Playhouse over its past 62 years of service and remains Long Island's longest running professional theatre.

For more information call (631) 286-1133 or 1-888-4TIXNOW, or visit www.gatewayplayhouse.org.