Report: Is the Nicole Scherzinger-Led (and Minimalist) Sunset Boulevard Broadway Bound?

Jamie Lloyd's minimalist revival of Sunset Boulevard may be coming to Broadway, according to a report in Deadline. Citing "insiders connected with the production," the report says the production is eying a run on the Main Stem beginning November 2024, with its current West End star Nicole Scherzinger reprising her performance as faded silent film star Norma Desmond. Sunset Boulevard was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, and Christopher Hampton.

Deadline also reported that Scherzinger will perform the role for six months. Playbill has reached out to the production for confirmation and will update this story accordingly.

The Sunset Boulevard revival has been a startling departure for the traditionally opulently designed musical, it features 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. Read the reviews here.

It has not been revealed who will be in the Broadway cast, if the show successfully transfers.

Along with Scherzinger, the West End production stars Tom Francis as Joe Gillis, Grace Hodgett Young as Betty Schaefer, and David Thaxton as Max Von Mayerling. West End and Broadway actor Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come From Away, The Last Ship) is guest starring as Norma at Monday performances through January 6, 2024.

Completing the company are Carl Au as Myron/Jones, Georgia Bradshaw as Lisa/Masseur, Hannah Yun Chamberlain as Patsy/Beautician, Tyler Davis as Sheldrake, Kamilla Fernandes as Dorothy/Astrologer, Ahmed Hamad as Artie, Laura Harrison as Catherine/Doctor, Charlotte Jaconelli as Joanna/Masseur, Olivia-Faith Kamau as Nancy/Beautician, Luke Latchman as John/Guard, Emma Lloyd as Mary/Heather/Analyst, Mireia Mambo as Jean/Beautician/Dance Captain, Gregor Milne as Sammy, Kody Mortimer as Finance Man/Frank, Jon Tsouras as Finance Man/Cecil B. De Mille, and Charlie Waddell as Morino/Hog-Eye, with Lara Denning as the Standby Norma and Jordan Cork and Shayna McPherson as the Camera Operators. Swings are Catherine Cornwall, Michael Lin (assistant dance captain), Jon Reynolds, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Harrison Wilde, and Lillie-Pearl Wildman.

The production 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, casting by Stuart Burt, voice and dialect coaching by Hazel Holder, fight direction by Kate Waters, intimacy coordination by Ingrid Mackinnon, costume supervision by Rachel Woodhouse, props supervision by Lily Mollgaard, associate direction by Rupert Hands, associate choreography by resident Paris Green, associate musical direction by Huw Evans, associate sound design by Kelsh B-D, and production management by Martyn Sands.

Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard (with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton) is based on the 1950 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.

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.

It was also recently announced that Sarah Brightman will star in a new production of the musical in Australia next year.

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.

The Jamie Lloyd Company production of Sunset Boulevard is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Wessex Grove.

The 16-week production marks the first presented by Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the new joint venture by Lloyd Webber and Michael Harrison.

Sunset Boulevard is produced by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and is based on the original Paramount film by Billy Wilder.

Visit SunsetBoulevardWestEnd.com.