Reviews: What Did Critics Think Of Sunset Boulevard At The Kennedy Center?

Reviews are rolling in for the Kennedy Center production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, a high-drama Hollywood story about fleeting fame and the inevitable loss of stardom due to the beauty standard. The production opened on February 1, and will run through February 8 at the D.C. venue's Eisenhower Theater.

Stephanie J. Block takes the stage as fading film star Norma Desmond, alongside Derek Klena as Joe Gillis, Auli'i Cravalho as Betty Schaefer, Nathan Gunn as Max von Mayerling, Michael Maliakel as Artie Green, Kevin Pariseau as Sheldrake, Tyley Ross as Manfred, and Paul Schoeffler as Cecil B. DeMille.

Rounding out the ensemble is David André, Lauren Blackman, Julio Catano-Yee, Colin Cunliffe, Haile Ferrier, Emily Harvey, Wonza Johnson, Aubrie Knapp, Ryland Marbutt, Lance Roberts, Maria Cristina Posada Slye, and Kristin Yancy.

Read the reviews below:

The Washington Post (Peter Marks)*

Playbill will continue to update as reviews come in. *Requires subscription.

Sammi Cannold (Evita at New York City Center) helms the new production, leading a creative team that includes choreographer Emily Maltby (For You, Paige: A TikTok Musical) and music director Ben Cohn (Dear Evan Hansen). Tyrone L. Robinson serves as associate director.

Sunset Boulevard features scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III, costume design by Alejo Vietti, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada and Haley Parcher, and hair and wig design by Tom Watson. Tyrone L. Robinson is the associate director, Emily Stillings is the associate choreographer, and Garret Healey is the associate music director.