The song from Sunset Boulevard is released ahead of the complete album being available from the 25th October .
The news comes as following a multi-Olivier award-winning run in London, Jamie Lloyd’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical will open on Broadway this Autumn.
With previews set to start at the St. James Theatre and official opening night set for the 20th October, the production has released“Sunset Boulevard” from the upcoming album release on the 25th October – including a music video featuring Tom Francis who is reprising his role as Joe Gillis for the Broadway run, having won an Olivier Award for his performance.
Talking about the release, Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “This single sees Tom Francis give a mesmerising, dramatic performance, showcasing his dynamic vocal talent, and the complexity of the character of Joe Gillis. It is part of an album which, I think, is one of the best we have ever created. It perfectly captures one of the finest and most exciting reinventions of Sunset Boulevard ever produced.”
Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond (Scherzinger) yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter (Francis) who can’t sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and compelling relationship leads to disastrous circumstances. Drenched in champagne and cynicism, Sunset Boulevard scrutinizes the ambitions and frustrations of its characters and their intoxicating need for fame and adoration.
The Broadway run’s cast is led by Nicole Scherzinger who won Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Norma Desmond. She is joined by Grace Hodgett-Young as ‘Betty Schaefer,’ and Olivier Award® winner David Thaxton as ‘Max Von Mayerling’. Olivia Lacie Andrews as Nancy, Brandon Mel Borkowsky as John, Shavey Brown as Finance Man/Stan/DeMille, Hannah Yun Chamberlain as Young Norma, Cydney Clark as Joanna/Guard, Raúl Contreras as Finance Man/Frank, Tyler Davis as Sheldrake, E J Hamilton as Lisa, Sydney Jones as Dorothy, Emma Lloydas Mary/Heather, Pierre Marais as Sammy, Shayna McPherson as Camera Operator/Katherine, Jimin Moon as Morino/Hog Eye, Justice Moore as Jean, Drew Redington as Myron/Jones/Camera Operator, and Diego Andres Rodriguez Artie are also set to star.
The swings for the production will be Giuseppe Bausilio (dance captain), Kristina Garvida Doucette (assistant dance captain), Brandon LaVar, Maggie Likcani, Abby Matsusaka, and Rixey Terry.
Featuring a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton as well as a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sunset Boulevard is based on the classic Billy Wilder film. It includes classic songs such as “With One Look,” “The Perfect Year,” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”
Director Jamie Lloyd said: “I was extremely humbled by the amazing enthusiasm of our West End audiences and am thrilled we get to bring this production to Broadway. When we recorded the album live on the stage of the Savoy in London, I was once again overwhelmed by the depth and power of Nicole Scherzinger’s performance — these iconic songs have never been sung like this before. Having the exceptional Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett Young, and David Thaxton join Nicole at the St. James Theatre will be an unforgettable experience.”
The creative team behind this revival of the musical includes: Soutra Gilmour (set and costume design), Fabian Aloise (choreography), Alan Williams (music supervisor and musical director), Jack Knowles (lighting design), Adam Fisher (sound design), Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design and cinematography), Jim Carnahan CSA and Jason Thinger CSA (U.S. casting director), and Stuart Burt CDG (U.K. casting director). 101 Productions, Ltd. serves as the General Manager for Sunset Boulevard.
To find out more visit: https://sunsetblvdbroadway.com/