Broadway’s musical revival of Sunset Blvd. is basking under the spotlight recently, drawing impressive box office numbers even amid controversy surrounding one of its stars, Nicole Scherzinger. Last week, the show reported its highest grossing week yet, pulling in $1.86 million, making it the third highest-grossing show on Broadway for the week ending November 10.
The production, featuring Scherzinger as the iconic Norma Desmond, was on stage at the St. James Theatre to nearly full capacity, with attendance hovering around 97%. This uptick in ticket sales came during tumultuous times for Scherzinger, who recently found herself embroiled in backlash due to comments made on social media.
On November 9, Scherzinger commented on comedian Russell Brand’s Instagram post, wherein he was pictured wearing a red hat with the words “Make Jesus First Again,” reminiscent of former President Donald Trump’s slogan. While the intention behind her comment wasn’t blatantly political, social media users swiftly interpreted it as support for Trump, leading to considerable outcry.
Scherzinger faced fierce criticism largely due to her engagement with Brand, who was recently accused of sexual misconduct by several women, allegations he has actively denied. After the backlash grew, Scherzinger took to social media to clarify her stance, stating, “I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts.”
She explained her initial intentions, saying, “Many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who I voted for,” clarifying her message was about love and faith rather than any political affiliation.
This incident didn’t deter audiences from coming out for the show, and Sunset Blvd. continued to shine, even outpacing other beloved Broadway productions such as Wicked and The Lion King at the box office.
The show also proves to be strategically positioned amid political events. The U.S. presidential election is currently stirring discussions across the country, perhaps leading to more viewers wanting to escape to the theatre for solace and entertainment. Reflecting this surge, many other Broadway shows also noted increases in ticket sales during the same week.
While Sunset Blvd. basked under its financial success, other shows like Suffs, Shaina Taub’s musical focused on women’s suffrage, also saw boosts, possibly fueled by heightened public interest related to the election theme. Suffs garnered $959,042, capturing 98% of available seats as it stair-stepped toward its closing date.
The theater community continues to rally around Scherzinger. On The View, hosts voiced their support for the actress, with Whoopi Goldberg saying, “People are losing their minds,” and adding, “It’s just a hat.” This reflects the polarized climate where entertainers are often thrust under the public lens for their actions.
Notably, Scherzinger emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “If you know me, you know I come from a place of love,” and clarified her engagement was intended to inspire compassion and connection.
Tensions on social media persist, with users divided between staunch defenders and critics of Scherzinger’s actions. Regardless of the noise, the Broadway box office results depict one important thing: audiences still crave compelling performances on stage. Sunset Blvd.'s financial success could well speak to viewers’ recognition of the artistry and talent presented within its walls, overshadowing the controversies surrounding its star.
Looking forward, Broadway shows, including Sunset Blvd., will navigate the intertwining world of performance and public perception, showcasing the resilience of theatrical productions even when faced with outside challenges. The convergence of current events, public figures and performances creates a rich narrative worth following as the theater scene evolves.
