For those who can never get enough Norma Desmond, the Broadway revival of Sunset Blvd. is offering theatregoers the chance to see three different takes on the ill-fated silent screen star in the coming months.
In addition to critically acclaimed leading lady Nicole Scherzinger, guest star Mandy Gonzalez (who typically plays the role one night a week) and standby Caroline Bowman will also lead the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical at the St. James Theatre.
Gonzalez's weekly performances, according to the musical's website, are scheduled for November 25, December 3, December 10, December 17, and December 24, 2024; plus January 19 at 7 PM, January 21, January 28, February 4, February 16 at 7 PM, February 18, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, and July 1, 2025.
In addition to her weekly performances, In the Heights star Gonzalez will play Norma for all performances January 7–11, 2025, with Frozen's Bowman scheduled to lead the cast January 12.
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The critically acclaimed production arrived in New York with its four leads: 2024 Olivier winner Scherzinger as Norma, 2024 Olivier winner Tom Francis as ill-fated screenwriter Joe Gillis, 2024 Olivier nominee Grace Hodgett-Young as aspiring writer Betty Schaefer, and Olivier winner and 2024 Olivier nominee David Thaxton as butler Max Von Mayerling.
Jamie Lloyd's minimalist production won seven Oliviers in all, including one for the director and the top prize of Best Musical Revival. Read reviews for the Broadway production, which officially opened September 28, by clicking here.
READ: To Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd. Is the Perfect Musical for Her Broadway Debut
The Broadway company also includes Olivia Lacie Andrews as Nancy, Brandon Mel Borkowsky as John, Shavey Brown as DeMille/Stan/Finance Man, Hannah Yun Chamberlain as Young Norma/Patsy, Cydney Clark as Joanna/Guard, Raúl Contreras as Finance Man/Frank, Tyler Davis as Sheldrake, E.J. Hamilton as Lisa, Sydney Jones as Dorothy, Emma Lloyd as Mary/Heather, Pierre Marais as Sammy, Shayna McPherson as Camera Operator, Jimin Moon as Morino/Hog Eye, Justice Moore as Jean, Drew Redington as Myron/Jones/Camera Operator, and Diego Andres Rodriguez Artie. Swings are Giuseppe Bausilio (dance captain), Kristina Garvida Doucette (assistant dance captain), Brandon LaVar, Maggie Likcani, Abby Matsusaka, and Rixey Terry.
The Broadway staging also has set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, choreography by Fabian Aloise, music supervision and musical direction by Alan Williams, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Adam Fisher, video design and cinematography by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, hair and makeup design by Cheryl Thomas, intimacy coordination by Ann James, U.S. casting by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger and U.K. casting by Stuart Burt. Johnny Milani is the production stage manager, and 101 Productions, Ltd. serves as the general manager.
Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard (with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton) is based on the 1950 Billy Wilder movie of the same name, which featured Gloria Swanson as the reclusive Norma Desmond who falls in love with an unlucky writer—Joe Gillis—who happens upon her home by accident. William Holden played Gillis in the film, which was directed by the late Billy Wilder. Swanson, Holden, and Wilder all received Academy Award nominations for their work.
Photos: Look Back on Past Productions of Sunset Boulevard
Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone created the role of Norma Desmond for the musical's world-premiere production in London, earning an Olivier nomination for her performance. Glenn Close played the role in Los Angeles and later in New York, where she won a Tony Award for her work as the aging actor. Other musical Normas include Tony winner Betty Buckley (London and New York), Olivier winner Elaine Paige (London and New York), Tony winner Diahann Carroll (Canada), Petula Clark (London and U.S. tour), Debra Byrne (Australia), Helen Schneider (Germany), and Linda Balgord (U.S. tour). After bringing her Norma to London, Close starred in the 2017 Broadway revival of Sunset, while Tony winner Stephanie J. Block played Norma in a recent production at the Kennedy Center. Sarah Brightman recently starred in an Australian production.