She's ready for her... bullhorn? When a technical mishap cancelled the April 23 matinee of Sunset Blvd. at the St. James Theatre, the revival's leading lady proved that sometimes the show can still go on. Well, part of it. While announcing the performance's cancellation from the stage with co-star Tom Francis, Nicole Scherzinger made sure audiences didn't leave disappointed.
After grabbing her phone from backstage to play a backing track, plus a bullhorn, Scherzinger sang "With One Look," the first song sung by her character Norma Desmond in the show. Lucky for us, professional magician Giancarlo Bernini was in the audience and captured the whole thing. Watch in his below.
And don't worry鈥攖his evening's performance is set to continue as scheduled.
The Jamie Lloyd-directed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset opened in London's West End at the Savoy Theatre October 12, 2023, before transferring to Broadway. The London hit officially opened on the Main Stem October 20, 2024, following previews that began September 28 at the St. James. Read the reviews by clicking here. The cast album was released October 25, 2024. Performances continue on Broadway through July 13.
The musical arrived in New York with its four London leads: 2024 Olivier winner Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, 2024 Olivier winner Francis as ill-fated screenwriter Joe Gillis, 2024 Olivier nominee Grace Hodgett-Young as aspiring writer Betty Schaefer, and Olivier winner and 2024 Olivier nominee David Thaxton as butler Max Von Mayerling.
Lloyd's minimalist production won seven Oliviers at last year's Oliver Awards, including one for the director and the top prize of Best Musical Revival. This Sunset Blvd. revival was 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, have gone viral on social media鈥攁s well as footage of Francis singing the show's title song every night while walking down the streets of New York.
READ: To Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd. Is the Perfect Musical for Her Broadway Debut
The Broadway staging 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, hair and makeup design by Cheryl Thomas, intimacy coordination by Ann James, U.S. casting by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger and U.K. casting by Stuart Burt. Johnny Milani is the production stage manager, and 101 Productions, Ltd. serves as the general manager.
Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard (with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton) is based on the 1950 Billy Wilder movie of the same name, which featured Gloria Swanson as the reclusive Norma Desmond who falls in love with an unlucky writer鈥擩oe Gillis鈥攚ho 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.
Photos: Look Back on Past Productions of Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Blvd. is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, and Gavin Kalin Productions by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and based on the Paramount Pictures film directed by Wilder.
Visit .
Tom Francis and the company of Sunset Boulevard
David Thaxton and Tom Francis in Sunset
Tom Francis and Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
The ensemble of Sunset Boulevard
The ensemble of Sunset Boulevard
Grace Hodgett Young in Sunset Blvd. on Broadway
Nicole Scherzinger and Hannah Yun Chamberlain
Tom Francis with Nicole Scherzinger and Hannah Yun Chamberlain (projected)
