Norma's Back at Last as Nicole Scherzinger-Led Sunset Blvd. Revival Opens on Broadway October 20

Director Jamie Lloyd and the company of the second Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Blvd. offer new ways to dream as the London hit officially opens on the Main Stem October 20 following previews that began September 28 at the St. James Theatre.

The critically acclaimed production arrives in New York with its four leads: 2024 Olivier winner Nicole Scherzinger as the faded silent screen star Norma Desmond, 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.

Lloyd's minimalist production won seven Oliviers in all, including one for the director and the top prize of Best Musical Revival.

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.

It was earlier announced that Mandy Gonzalez, who created the role of Nina in the Tony-winning In the Heights, will guest star as Desmond in select performances (typically one show a week) beginning October 22. Caroline Bowman (Frozen, Evita tours) is the standby for the role of the former movie star.

The London Sunset Blvd. revival was a startling departure for the traditionally opulently designed musical; it featured a minimalist set and ample use of live video. Images of the curtain call, featuring Scherzinger covered in blood, went viral on social media. The show opened in London's West End at the Savoy Theatre October 12, 2023. Read the reviews here.

Sunset Blvd.: The Album, featuring the full London company, will be released globally via The Other Songs October 25. Click to pre-order the recording.

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 currently stars in an Australian production.

Scherzinger, who played Grace in Annie Live!, also voiced the character Sina in Disney’s Moana and starred in ABC's remake of Dirty Dancing. She was seen as Grizabella in the London revival of Cats, earning her first Olivier nomination.

The production is offering discount tickets through a number of programs. In-person rush tickets will be available at the box office on the day of the performance for $45 each. Each person is limited to two tickets, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The location and number of rush tickets for sale will be subject to availability. A digital rush, also offering $45 tickets, will be available via TodayTix beginning at 9 AM ET.

A digital lottery will also be held via LuckySeat. Participants can enter until 9:30 AM ET the day before the performance, with winners selected at 10 AM ET and continuing throughout the day as needed. Entries for weekend performances will be accepted until 9:30 AM ET the Friday before. Entries are accepted at LuckySeat.com.

Finally, standing room tickets will become available for any sold-out performances beginning October 22. Also available for $45, standing-room tickets will be sold at the St. James box office on a first-come, first-served basis.

All discounted tickets may be partial view.

Sunset Blvd. is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, and Gavin Kalin Productions by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and based on the Paramount Pictures film directed by Wilder.