This Thanksgiving break, I had the privilege of seeing the Jamie Lloyd directed revival of “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway. Lloyd’s revival takes the often-overlooked Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and breathes new life into it.
“Sunset Boulevard” has historically starred iconic actresses from Patti LuPone to Glenn Close. In this revival, we see Nicole Scherzinger, former girl group member and the woman who put One Direction together, as Norma Desmond.
“Sunset Boulevard” tells the story of Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter living in Los Angeles in 1949. His car is about to be repossessed, and he flees, ending up in the garage of a faded mansion. He meets Norma Desmond, the star of Hollywood’s silent film era, and her butler, Max. Desmond pitches the story of “Salome” with a script that could be the length of six (it is also atrociously written). In this script, Desmond, now near 50, will play the role of Salome, a 16-year-old, a humorous moment for the audience, but the first hint at Desmond’s delusional state. Gillis, out of money and desperate for a gig, takes up the role of script doctor and crashes in the desolate mansion.
What follows is a story of great heights. Desmond believes she has millions of fans waiting for her return (what she really has is her butler writing fan mail to her). Max believes she is the greatest star of all time. And Gillis believes he will somehow get out of his situation and, more specifically, be able to leave Desmond. She has spun him in her web and, by act two, he realizes there is no way out.
Desmond is obsessed with her former self. She, Max and Gillis spend each night watching her silent films, reveling at her past beauty. She has a close relationship with an astrologer and, in true diva fashion, believes she is big and “it’s just the pictures that got small”.
This revival is not your mother’s “Sunset Boulevard.” Gone are the haunting sets shrouded in ‘20s-esque imagery. Instead, the production embraces a minimalist aesthetic with smoke draping the stage. There is no glitz or old Hollywood glamour. The costumes for this production are entirely black basics, and there are no props. Without these elements, many musicals would feel hollow, but the actors deliver larger than life performances that make up for the empty space.
Gillis, played by Olivier Award winner Tom Francis, is a perfect example of this (if you haven’t watched his performance at the 2024 awards, this is your sign). He is ever charismatic, but it is his golden voice that puts him toe-to-toe with music veteran Scherzinger. It’s hard to believe this is his Broadway debut. Gillis is a character who has grown so sick of the Hollywood hustle and Francis’ portrayal of a disillusioned writer is so authentic you forget Francis is truly at the beginning of his own career (and is just 25).
Scherzinger is literally larger than life. Her performance, captured through a closeup on camera for many scenes, captivated audiences. You couldn’t look away. She transformed songs like “As If We Never Said Goodbye” and “With One Look” for me. Once older sleepy tunes (I always preferred the high energy titular song “Sunset Boulevard”), Scherzinger’s renditions have become anthems. My jaw was on the floor for this entire show.
2024 was “the perfect year” for this show to make its comeback on the Broadway stage. Today, our own society is obsessed with youth in a way that feels very similar to our lead. Desmond, a once great star, hasn’t acted in years and is considered washed up at 50. Part of what makes her such a tragic character is the fact that 50 isn’t old by any stretch.
Many people are complaining that it is not believable that 46-year-old Nicole Scherzinger, with her youthful appearance, could play a faded, aging star. But this underscores a new point — our perception of age has changed drastically in the past decade. In past decades, stars were often styled to look “older.” Scherzinger to me is completely right for the role.
Just last year, a photo of Diane Keaton and Steve Martin from the film “Father of the Bride 2” went viral with X user Jessica Ellis stating, “An unbelievable thing that has changed in 20 years is that in 1995, this was supposed to be what 45-year olds looked like.” The pair donned grey hair and mature workwear. Today’s obsession with plastic surgery and filters makes the story hit a little bit harder. Styles have evolved since the 90s; youth is now the forefront of culture.
In October, Variety reported Hallmark Media’s Executive Vice President of Programming Lisa Hamilton Daly told staff that she did not want to cast “old people.” Older actors did not fit her image for the channel. This included actresses Lacey Chabert and Holly Robinson Peete, who are 42 and 60.
With films like “The Substance,” starring 62-year-old Demi Moore, there is a new emphasis on the problematic aspects of the measures many take to stay youthful. Moore’s character, a famous aerobics instructor with a hit show turns 50 and is fired by her boss. She drinks a substance that promises eternal youth and is met with disastrous results.
This revival of “Sunset Boulevard” is poignant as it holds a mirror to our very own obsession with youth and beauty and exposes the tragic nature of those involved. At one point Gillis exclaims, “Nothing’s wrong with being 50, unless you’re acting 20.”
Scherzinger’s performance is not just one for Norma Desmond, but one for many actors and actresses who feel as if they do not fit the standard anymore. “Sunset Boulevard” is a must-see.
