Scherzinger in SUNSET BLVD. Previews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 6:29pm

NICOLE SCHERZINGER stars as the immortal Norma Desmond in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s legendary SUNSET BLVD., reimagined by visionary director JAMIE LLOYD. The New York Times declares, “This bravura new revival belongs to the here and now. Nicole Scherzinger gives a career-defining performance.” And The Washington Post hails, “This killer production is theater at its devilish best. It slays you.”

Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter who can’t sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and captivating relationship leads to disaster. Drenched in champagne and cynicism, SUNSET BLVD. focuses the lens on the ambitions and frustrations of its characters and puts their intoxicating need for fame and adoration in stark close-up.

Broadway previews begin September 28, 2024 at the St. James Theatre.

Updated On: 9/23/24 at 06:29 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 6:54pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "NICOLE SCHERZINGERstars as the immortal Norma Desmond inANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s legendarySUNSET BLVD., reimagined by visionary directorJAMIE LLOYD.The New York Timesdeclares, “This bravura new revival belongs to the here and now. Nicole Scherzinger gives a career-defining performance.” AndThe Washington Posthails, “This killer production is theater at its devilish best. It slays you.”

Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter who can’t sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and captivating relationship leads to disaster. Drenched in champagne and cynicism, SUNSET BLVD. focuses the lens on the ambitions and frustrations of its characters and puts their intoxicating need for fame and adoration in stark close-up.

Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

September 287. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 6:54pm

Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

Wow, these preview threads really are starting earlier and earlier...

[Robbie2]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 8:35pm

Dan6 said: "Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

Wow, these preview threads really are starting earlier and earlier..."

Because it has become a competition with edsosolo and jacobs to see who posts first but the thing is edsosolo post always at midnight before previews start!

[Voter]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 10:29pm

For those who saw it in London, do you remember the runtime? Thank you in advance

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/23/24 at 10:34pm

Voter said: "For those who saw it in London, do you remember the runtime? Thank you in advance"

For the Broadway run, SeatGeek says about 2:35, including a 15-minute intermission. 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 3:27am

Robbie2 said: "Dan6 said: "Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

Wow, these preview threads really are starting earlier and earlier..."

Because it has become a competition with edsosolo and jacobs to see who posts first but the thing is edsosolo post always at midnight before previews start!"

Both of them may want to get a life.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 3:49am

Dolly80 said: "Robbie2 said: "Dan6 said: "Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

Wow, these preview threads really are starting earlier and earlier..."

Because it has become a competition with edsosolo and jacobs to see who posts first but the thing is edsosolo post always at midnight before previews start!"

Both of them may want to get a life."

It’s actually starting to get weird

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 5:00am

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Dolly80 said: "Robbie2 said: "Dan6 said: "Broadway previews begin September 287, 2024 at the St. James Theatre."

Wow, these preview threads really are starting earlier and earlier..."

Because it has become a competition with edsosolo and jacobs to see who posts first but the thing is edsosolo post always at midnight before previews start!"

Both of them may want to get a life."

It’s actually starting to get weird"



This community is deeply weird.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 5:59am

I'm going next Wednesday night. Got a center front row balcony seat for less than $100 with the discount mailer code (NORMA1). I am not typically a fan of Jamie Lloyd's work, but I am still very excited because I do love Sunset Boulevard as a show itself, and I think Nicole will be great.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 10:16am

I’d agree. Love the show, love her vocals, but can’t seem to get excited by this production. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 10:37am

RippedMan said: "I’d agree. Love the show, love her vocals, but can’t seem to get excited by this production."

I feel the same. I think it's a theater fatique. We've seen too many productions (from great to really bad) opening and closing too soon since 2021. It's difficult to stay enthusiastic for years... 

[binau]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 11:26am

The was one of the few productions I saw last year that I found genuinely shocking and life changing in the best possible way. Nicole is giving a performance that would be alongside (in terms of quality not thematically because it's completely different) performances such as Alice Ripley in next to normal, Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens, Patti LuPone in Gypsy, Kelli in Bridges, Bernadette in Sunday etc. i.e. this is not just an average performance it's on a top shelf

But it's nothing without the production alongside of her that is the canvas for her performance and character. The performance would NOT work in a a traditional production - which is why it was so puzzling to even imagine her in the role beforehand and I really wasn't looking forward to THAT production. I think you should be excited about THIS production for this reason. 

People talk about 'vision', 'vision' of directors and it's become super cringeworthy* when someone uses the term to describe rather pedestrian staging that anyone can think of. This is not that - Jamie Lloyd genuinely had the imagination to think of Nicole S in this role and in a staging that makes it work and corrects some of the questionable material. This is vision, this is amazing - I cannot wait to see the production again. 

* Here is an example - someone says 'Thomas Kail' brought his 'unique creative vision'. How can anyone describe THAT director of THAT production as having a unique vision? John DOYLE hate him or love him brought a unique creative vision to Sweeney Todd.

https://www.broadwayinbound.com/fr/blog/rediscovering-sweeney-todd-the-highlights-and-insights-of-the-broadway-revival

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 11:26 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 11:40am

binau, you're getting me excited!

[SongandDance2]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 11:49am

binau said: "The was one of the few productions I saw last year that I found genuinely shocking and life changing in the best possible way."

Agree 100%. I've never seen a musical so radically reinvented in its staging that it felt like it became brand new. And where the vision of the director made a show that's always felt pretty mid to me allowed it to become one of the most exciting theatrical experiences I've ever had.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 12:04pm

As I said in the thread about the London production, Scherzinger gave the best vocal performance I've ever experienced in a major production (Broadway or West End). What she was able to do with her voice still shocks me and I cannot wait to see it on October 10. I didn't get to see Tom Francis but his understudy, Gregor Milne, was fantastic. Unlike others in the thread, I think Sunset is actually a pretty mediocre adaptation of a daring film. This production pulls the story right back to what is thrilling about Wilder's original. 

Plus, David Thaxton could put a baby in me. So there's that. 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 12:13pm

Despite being a fan of the show (it's not perfect but what is?) I wasn't excited about this production until I heard Nicole sing the final word "meeeeee." There was so much pain and madness in that note, I felt I needed to see this. 

[The8re phan]

Posted: 9/26/24 at 6:22am

SongandDance2 said: 
"Agree 100%. I've never seen a musical so radically reinvented in its staging that it felt like it became brand new. And where the vision of the director made a show that's always felt pretty mid to me allowed it to become one of the most exciting theatrical experiences I've ever had."

This is how I felt about "Cats: the Jellicle Ball".  Wish it would return already, and it's only been a month.  I'm excited for this Sunset, but not expecting to be nearly as blown away as i was earlier this summer

 

Updated On: 9/26/24 at 06:22 AM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/27/24 at 12:00am

And now, Mr. DeMille, she’s ready for her close-up.

Nicole Scherzinger comes home at last to Broadway in a second revival of Sunset Boulevard, starting previews tomorrow night (September 28) at the St. James Theatre. The ex-Pussycat Doll is complemented by her acclaimed principal costars — and fellow Broadway newbies — from last year’s West End staging of this reimagined production: Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett Young, and David Thaxton. Lloyd Webber’s score melds with lyrics (and a book) by Don Black and Christopher Hampton; Fabian Aloise choreographs. This Sunset Boulevard, capitalized at an estimated $17 million, opens on October 20.

A cast album captured live during the London run is scheduled to release everywhere October 25; it is now available for preorder.

Free entries for a $45 digital lottery are now being accepted at luckyseat.com; the musical will also offer in-person and digital rush (through the TodayTix app) at the same price. In the case of a sold-out performance, a limited number of standing-room-only seats will be sold post-opening.

This one’s very highly anticipated… reports from the Paramount set would be most welcome!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 6:29pm

Bumping this other thread for tonight’s first preview

Guests are being given commemorative SB tote bags that say, “IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE ME AT MY NORMA DESMOND, YOU DON’T DESERVE ME AT MY NICOLE SCHERZINGER”

Updated On: 9/28/24 at 06:29 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:19am

I saw the original Broadway production 9 times, and nothing will replace that, but this version absolutely thrilled me. Gorgeously sung and acted by everyone, but extremely cheeky and clever, and, in the end, savage and devastating. Nicole absolutely lives up to the hype, and I can’t wait to see it again. 

Oh, and my head almost exploded at the…

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Opening credits sequence. I practically levitated out of my seat. 

 

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 12:19 AM

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:28am

TaffyDavenport said: "I saw the original Broadway production 9 times, and nothing willreplace that, but this version absolutely thrilled me. Gorgeously sung and acted by everyone, but extremely cheeky and clever, and, in the end, savage and devastating. Nicole absolutely lives up to the hype, and I can’t wait to see it again."

And we’re off to the races. As a lifelong ALW fan, this is shaping up to be a wonderful year. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:35am

Video from outside the theatre (spoiler)

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

of the opening number in Shubert Alley

https://x.com/ItsRainingBen/status/1840208849636045080

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 12:35 AM

[ChrisTyler1288]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 2:36am

I’m so intrigued to see how this is gonna work per se on a matinee day when it’s a tourist heavy time in NYC. Americans can be a different kind of breed when it comes to decorum and proper behavior, so I can already see this going left quickly many different ways, but when it works perfectly, must be thrilling! 

[ChrisTyler1288]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 8:10am

I cannot stop watching that clip. I am so excited for this show. Sunset has been one of my favorite musicals for many, many years, but I can also acknowledge there has been some really clunker productions, but I’m so jazzed that a version is running now that people are LOVING.