Nicole Scherzinger is ready for her close-up.
The “X-Factor” judge and Pussycat Dolls singer is bringing her acclaimed interpretation of legendary diva Norma Desmond to Broadway with a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard.” She’s taking on the fading screen star — a role that was memorably played by the likes of Glenn Close, Betty Buckley and Patti LuPone. That’s intimidating company, but based on the reviews out of London, where this West End production was the toast of the town, Scherzinger nailed it. The New York Times praised her “career-defining performance” and The Washington Post called her “the perfect Norma Desmond.”
But that’s not the only thing that impressed critics, who also flipped for director Jamie Lloyd’s stripped-down production of Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of the Billy Wilder film. Lloyd was recently in New York with his Tony-nominated revival of “A Doll’s House.” The revival means that Lloyd Webber will be back on Broadway’s marquees after an uncharacteristic absence following the end of “The Phantom of the Opera” and the disastrously received and short-lived “Bad Cinderella.”
The 1994 Broadway production of “Sunset Bouelvard” won the Tony for best musical, but was often overshadowed by off-stage drama, such as a lawsuit between LuPone — shunted aside for Close after appearing in the London version — and Lloyd Webber. It was later revived in minimalist fashion in 2017 with Close reprising her role. The show features book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.
Joining Scherzinger on Broadway will be her London co-stars: Tom Francis as Joe Gillis, the cynical screenwriter who enter’s Desmond’s orbit; Grace Hodgett-Young as Betty Schaefer, the object of Joe’s affections; and Olivier Award-winner David Thaxton as Max Von Mayerling, the loyal butler of Desmond. Producers said the date for the show’s premiere, as well as the theater it will play and additional casting will be announced shortly.
Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” score features some of his most famous songs, including the anthems “With One Look” and “As if We Never Said Goodbye.” “Sunset Boulevard” is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and Gavin Kalin Productions by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and based on the original Paramount film by Wilder.
