The Kennedy Center production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard opened February 1 at the D.C. venue's Eisenhower Theater, with Stephanie J. Block leading the high-drama Hollywood story about fleeting fame and the inevitable loss of stardom due to the beauty standard.
Block is joined by Derek Klena (Jagged Little Pill, Moulin Rouge!) as Joe Gillis, Auli'i Cravalho (Moana) as Betty Schaefer, and opera star Nathan Gunn as Max von Mayerling, Michael Maliakel (Aladdin) as Artie Green, Kevin Pariseau (My Fair Lady, Ink) as Sheldrake, Tyley Ross (Finding Neverland, Miss Saigon) as Manfred, and Paul Schoeffler(Sunset Boulevard, Rock of Ages) 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.
See the first production images below:
Auli'i Cravalho and Derek Klena in Sunset Boulevard
Derek Klena and Michael Maliakel in Sunset Boulevard
Derek Klena and cast of Sunset Boulevard
Stephanie J. Block and cast of Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Derek Klena and Auli'i Cravalho in Sunset Boulevard
Stephanie J. Block and cast of Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Nathan Gunn in Sunset Boulevard
Nathan Gunn and Derek Klena in Sunset Boulevard
Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Derek Klena in Sunset Boulevard
Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Derek Klena and Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Derek Klena, Auli'i Cravalho, Michael Maliakel, and cast of Sunset Boulevard
Derek Klena in Sunset Boulevard
Derek Klena and Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
Derek Klena and Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center, 2023)
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.
Visit Kennedy-Center.org.
