Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close to open on Broadway in January?

There are new rumours that Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close will transfer to Broadway following its recent London run at the ENO London Coliseum. 

The New York Post reports that the musical might open at Broadway's Palace Theatre in January 2017 for a twenty week limited run, with Close reprising her Tony winning performance.

Sunset Boulevard has book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. Music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lonny Price directed the semi-staged production which requires a 50 piece onstage orchestra. The London cast included Michael Xavier as Joe, Siobhan Dillon as Betty and Fred Johanson as Max. 

PICS: Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close opens at the ENO London Coliseum

Last night Sunset Boulevard celebrated its official opening at the ENO London Coliseum. Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Shaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling) were joined by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Christopher Hampton and Don Black on stage during the bows. Check out images below (click photo to enlarge). 

Lonny Price has directed the show which runs to 7th May 2016. The full ENO orchestra appear on stage alongside the cast in this semi-staged production. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber with choreography by Stephen Mear, set designs by James Noone, costume designs by Tracy Christensen, Glenn Close’s costumes designs by Anthony Powell, sound by Mick Potter and lighting by Mark Henderson. The musical director is Michael Reed who also conducts.

Review: Glenn Close stars in Sunset Boulevard at the ENO London Coliseum

Sunset Boulevard 
ENO London Coliseum
Reviewed on Monday 4th April 2016
★★★★

Marking one of the biggest theatrical events of the year so far, Glenn Close is making her West End debut in Sunset Boulevard. Close first took on the role of Norma Desmond in the 1993 LA production of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's musical before originating the part on Broadway the following year. 

Full casting announced for Sunset Boulevard

With rehearsals beginning today (22nd February 2016), final casting has been announced for Sunset Boulevard.

Joining Glenn Close, Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson are Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper and Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr who will work alongside the previously announced Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. 

Further company members include Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Jacob Chapman, Nadeem Crowe, Cornelia Farnsworth, Ria Jones, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, Jo Morris, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan and Stuart Winter. 

Michael Xavier & Siobhan Dillon join Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed further casting for Sunset Boulevard.

The revival runs at the ENO’s London Coliseum later this year starring the previously announced Glenn Close as Norma Desmond.

The cast will also include Michael Xavier (Show Boat/The Pajama Game) as Joe, Siobhan Dillon (Miss Saigon/Ghost) as Betty and Fred Johanson (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Max.

UPDATED: The cast also includes Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Jacob Chapman, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jo Morris, Ashley Robinson, Gary Tushaw and Adam Vaughan.

The incomparable Ria Jones, who created the role of Norma Desmond in the original Sunset Boulevard workshop, also features in the cast as Close's standby. Final casting will be announced shortly.

GOSSIP: New Sunset Boulevard film in the works? Could Glenn Close star?

Speaking to the Evening Standard, writer Christopher Hampton has revealed that a new movie version of Sunset Boulevard is in the works!

Hampton said: "...we are looking down the line to make a movie of it later. When we first did Sunset Boulevard it was somehow still too close to the original. Now you have to ask yourself and find a director who would ask 'What is there about this story that was made so perfectly in 1950 that justified me doing it again?"

He went on to suggest that there's a possibility Glenn Close - who is about to reprise her performance as Norma Desmond in London - could star in the movie. 

Editor's Blog: Glenn Close discusses Sunset Boulevard, Soft Lad released on DVD & Memphis bids farewell

Glenn Close has revealed that she is "getting on the treadmill" ahead of her West End debut next year. 

"It's not something I really love to do, but really I know how much energy it takes. You have to be in good shape and take care of your voice" said Close, who will reprise her performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard for a limited run at the London Coliseum between 1st April and 7th May 2016. 

Having first played Norma in LA, Close went on to win Tony, Drama Desk and Dramalogue awards for originating the role on Broadway under the direction of Trevor Nunn. This new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's musical marks the second show produced by the English National Opera and the GradeLinnit Company. Lonny Price directs.

PICS: Glenn Close visits ENO’s London Coliseum ahead of Sunset Boulevard

Today (2nd November) Glenn Close visited the ENO’s London Coliseum where she will reprise her performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard next year. Check out images below (click picture to enlarge). 

The musical has book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton who were also in attendance. Music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber who is currently in New York working on his musical adaptation of The School of Rock.

Lonny Price is directing the production which plays a strictly limited run of 43 performances at ENO’s London Coliseum from 1st April 2016. The full ENO orchestra will appear on stage alongside the cast in this semi-staged production. Further casting is to be announced.

CONFIRMED: Glenn Close to star in ENO’s Sunset Boulevard

As previously reported, Glenn Close will star as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, the second production in the partnership between English National Opera and the GradeLinnit Company.

Lonny Price will direct the strictly limited run of 43 performances at ENO’s London Coliseum, opening on 4th April (previews from 1st April) and running until 7th May 2016.

The full ENO orchestra will appear on stage alongside the cast in this semi-staged production. Further casting will be announced shortly.

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard is produced by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and is based on the original Paramount film by Billy Wilder.

GOSSIP: ENO want to stage Sunset Boulevard?

According to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Andrew Lloyd Webber's show Sunset Boulevard could become the next musical to be staged at the London Coliseum by the English National Opera. 

Bamigboye suggests that the musical could be revived at some point in 2016 or 2017, but stresses that no deals have been made and the ENO are yet to secure the rights.

Producers apparently have Glenn Close "in mind" to star as Norma Desmond. The role was created by Patti LuPone in the original production which opened at the West End's Adelphi Theatre in 1993. Close played Norma Desmond in the original Los Angeles production in 1993 before reprising her performance on  Broadway the following year.

GOSSIP: Donna Murphy to star in Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard?

According to the New York Post, Donna Murphy is set to star as Norma Desmond in a Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony-winning musical Sunset Boulevard! Michael Mayer will reportedly direct the production.