Sunset Boulevard - 2024 Broadway History , Info & More
Norma's home at last! West End and Broadway director Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac, A Doll's House) reimagines one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-loved musicals – based on the Billy Wilder film - for a whole new generation.
Famed movie star Norma Desmond has been cast out of the Hollywood limelight. Living in a suffocating world of dreams, memories and regrets, a chance encounter with screenwriter Joe Gillis may be her only hope — unless their volatile affair destroys them both
Before it was a musical, Sunset Boulevard was a 1950 film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder. The film is led by Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, a former silent-film star who draws him into her deranged fantasy world, where she dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen.
The movie was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won three. In 1989 it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry and in 1998, it was ranked number 12 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century.
A musical version of the beloved story was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The original 1993 West End production, directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Bob Avian, featured Patti LuPone as Norma Desmond, Kevin Anderson as Joe Gillis, Meredith Braun as Betty Schaefer, and Daniel Benzali as Norma's ex-husband, Max.
Soon after, it had its American premiere in Los Angeles, this time starring Glenn Close as Norma, Alan Campbell as Joe, George Hearn as Max, and Judy Kuhn as Betty. In 1994 it moved to Broadway, where it opened at the Minskoff Theatre on November 17. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won in seven categories, including Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a musical for Close.
Since then, the musical has toured extensively, and enjoyed international productions in Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Africa and many more countries across the world.
In 2017, Glenn Close reprised her performance as Norma Desmond in a revival on Broadway at the Palace Theatre. Featuring a 40-piece onstage orchestra and a relatively minimalist set, it was directed by Lonny Price.
In early 2023, it was announced that Nicole Scherzinger would lead an all-new production at London's Savoy Theatre, directed by Lloyd. When it began performances in September, it immediately grabbed the attention of theatergoers worldwide as an extraordinary reimagination of Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical.
The Broadway cast is led again by Scherzinger, with her acclaimed London co-stars: Tom Francis as ‘Joe Gillis’, Grace Hodgett-Young as ‘Betty Schaefer,’ and Olivier Award winner David Thaxton as ‘Max Von Mayerling.’ Mandy Gonzalez is the Norma Alternate at certain performances.
Drenched in champagne and cynicism, Sunset Boulevard scrutinizes the ambitions and frustrations of its characters and their intoxicating need for fame and adoration.
Sunset Boulevard - 2024 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW Sunset Boulevard - 2024 - Broadway
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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Sunset Boulevard
From: Observer
By: David Cote
Date: 2024-10-20
7 / 10
All that luscious black-and-white video, the backstage winks, the fuck-you deadpan in fuck-me boots—it’s fun. I never expected to have fun at an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. (Even this summer’s queer ballroom makeover of Cats was, well, Cats.) Lloyd’s camp yet surgical staging fuses form and content: it’s the resurrection of a faded (kitsch) icon, a critique of the invasive camera, a cosplay of the BDSM rituals of celebrity and fandom. Just as Scherzinger inhabits Norma within giant neon quotation marks, the whole production seems to admit the overall musical is trash. What happens if you dress up trash as art and stick a camera in its face? Twenty feet high, those faces—coldly sensual graven images—demand your abject worship. It’s a thin line (movie-screen thin) between glamour and horror. “We gave the world new ways to dream,” an enraptured Norma sings. Lloyd finds new ways to give us nightmares; who wants to wake?
From: amNY
By: Matt Windman
Date: 2024-10-20
8 / 10
The production rides on heavy sensory overload, with intense lighting (which is used to depict location rather than scenery or props), live filming and video projections (with tons of extreme close-ups), smoke and fog effects, monochromatic design, stylized ensemble movement (at one point, the chorus members break into convulsions), and other melodramatic and self-aware gestures. The sound quality of the orchestra is also top-notch, allowing the mostly sung-through score to contribute to the outsized experience.
Video: Nicole Scherzinger Reflects on Tony Win and Wrapping SUNSET BLVD. Run
by Josh Sharpe - July 15, 2025
Last month, Nicole Scherzinger won her first Tony Award for her turn as Norma Desmond in the hit revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. On a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the performer reflected on her win and ending the run of the show this Sunday. Watch the interview!
SUNSET BLVD. Plays Final Broadway Performance
by Nicole Rosky - July 20, 2025
Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Blvd. closes at the St. James Theatre following 20 previews and 312 regular performances. The venue will soon be home to The Queen of versailles, starring Kristin Chenoweth.
Tom Francis Will Depart SUNSET BLVD. Next Month
by Stephi Wild - June 18, 2025
After almost two years of starring as ‘Joe Gillis’ in director Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Blvd., Tom Francis will play his final performance next month.
Video: SUNSET BOULEVARD Celebrates Tony Wins During Entr'acte
by Michael Major - June 13, 2025
Sunset Boulevard celebrated their Tony wins by showing off their new trophies during the show's entr'acte! While the 'walkaround' backstage was displayed on the video screen for the audience to see what goes on backstage at the hit revival.
Nicole Scherzinger Wants to Do a Movie Musical
by Michael Major - June 11, 2025
Tony-winner Nicole Scherzinger is opening up about what she wants to do after her acclaimed performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, including films, music, and a movie musical.
Video: SUNSET BLVD. Celebrates Tony Wins During Curtain Call
by Stephi Wild - June 11, 2025
Sunset Blvd. took its first post-Tony Awards bows last night, June 10, to a cheering audience. Following the curtain call after last night's performance, Tom Francis gave a speech honoring the show's Tony winners. Watch the video here!
Video: Nicole Scherzinger Celebrates Tony Win for Best Leading Actress in a Musical
by Joey Mervis - June 9, 2025
Earlier tonight at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, Nicole Scherzinger took home a Tony Award for 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical' for her outstanding work in Sunset Blvd. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, she checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share her initial reaction!
Video: Jack Knowles Celebrates Tony Win for Best Lighting Design of a Musical
by Joey Mervis - June 8, 2025
Earlier tonight at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, Jack Knowles took home a Tony Award for 'Best Lighting Design of a Musical' for his outstanding work on Sunset Blvd. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!
SUNSET BOULEVARD Extends For Final Time on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - June 5, 2025
The Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Blvd., directed by 2025 Tony Award nominee Jamie Lloyd, has extended for a final time, starring Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Norma Desmond’ at the St. James Theatre.
Sunset Boulevard FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the songs in Sunset Boulevard and what's the order?
Prologue
Let's Have Lunch
Surrender
With One Look
Salome
The Greatest Star of All
Girl Meets Boy
New Ways to Dream
The Lady's Paying
The Perfect Year
This Time Next Year
Sunset Boulevard
As If We Never Said Goodbye
Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering
Too Much in Love to Care
My Resolution
Every Movie's a Circus
Sunset Boulevard History
Other Productions of Sunset Boulevard
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1993 |
West End |
Original London Production
West End
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1993 |
Regional (US) |
Los Angeles Production
Regional (US)
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1994 |
Broadway |
Original Broadway Production
Broadway
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1995 |
Canada |
Toronto Production
Canada
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1996 |
US Tour |
1st National Tour
US Tour
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1998 |
US Tour |
2nd National Tour
US Tour
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2004 |
London Fringe |
London Concert Revival
London Fringe
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2016 |
West End |
English National Opera West End Revival
West End
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2017 |
Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production
Broadway
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2023 |
West End |
West End
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Sunset Boulevard - 2024 Broadway Awards and Nominations
Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Sunset Boulevard awards and nominations
| Year |
Ceremony |
Category |
Nominee |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Direction of a Musical |
Jamie Lloyd |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical |
Tom Francis |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical |
Nicole Scherzinger |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical |
Jack Knowles |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Projection and Video Design |
Joe Ransom |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Projection and Video Design |
Nathan Amzi |
| 2025 |
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical |
Adam Fisher |
| 2025 |
Drama League Awards |
DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE |
Nicole Scherzinger |
| 2025 |
Drama League Awards |
DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE |
Tom Francis |
| 2025 |
Drama League Awards |
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL |
Jamie Lloyd |
| 2025 |
Outer Critics Circle Awards |
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical |
Nicole Scherzinger |
| 2025 |
Outer Critics Circle Awards |
Outstanding Revival of a Musical |
Sunset Boulevard |
| 2025 |
Outer Critics Circle Awards |
Outstanding Sound Design |
Adam Fisher |
| 2025 |
Outer Critics Circle Awards |
Outstanding Video/Projections |
Joe Ransom |
| 2025 |
Outer Critics Circle Awards |
Outstanding Video/Projections |
Nathan Amzi |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Direction of a Musical |
Jamie Lloyd |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Lighting Design of a Musical |
Jack Knowles |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Orchestrations |
David Cullen |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Orchestrations |
Andrew Lloyd Webber |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical |
Tom Francis |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical |
Nicole Scherzinger |
| 2025 |
Tony Awards |
Best Sound Design of a Musical |
Adam Fisher |
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