On June 8, 2025, the reimagined revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical Sunset Boulevard triumphed at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall, clinching the coveted Best Revival of a Musical award. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this bold reinterpretation has captivated audiences both in London’s West End and on Broadway, where it continues its extended limited engagement at the St. James Theatre through July 20, 2025.
Andrew Lloyd Webber himself praised the revival, congratulating Lloyd on his fresh take: "What a joy it is to be here. And I want to congratulate wonderful Jamie Lloyd on the reinterpretation of my piece. I mean, it’s just fantastic for me to see old shows rethought, reworked, and with the most fantastic lead with Nicole." The production’s success was underscored by its seven Tony nominations—the highest for any revival this season—including nods for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Nicole Scherzinger and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Tom Francis.
The musical’s journey to this pinnacle began with previews on September 28, 2024, at the St. James Theatre, officially opening on October 20. The revival features a striking minimalist set design by Soutra Gilmour, a departure from the lavish opulence traditionally associated with Sunset Boulevard. The use of live video projections, crafted by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, adds a modern cinematic layer to the storytelling, enhancing the haunting atmosphere of the narrative. Lighting designer Jack Knowles, who also won a Tony for his work, and sound designer Adam Fisher contributed to the immersive experience that transports audiences into the shadowy world of faded fame and desperate dreams.
At the heart of the production is Nicole Scherzinger’s powerhouse performance as Norma Desmond, the reclusive silent film star clinging to her past glories. Scherzinger, making her Broadway debut, won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, edging out formidable contenders including Megan Hilty, Audra McDonald, Jasmine Amy Rogers, and Jennifer Simard. Her portrayal is noted for being sexier and more sinister than those of previous Norma Desmonds, such as Glenn Close and Patti LuPone, bringing a fresh intensity to the character's volatile mix of vulnerability and delusion.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Scherzinger expressed heartfelt gratitude: "I’m so honored to be recognized alongside these exceptional warrior women in this category. I want to thank all of you all so much for making this little Hawaiian, Ukrainian Filipino girl’s dream come true. I always felt like I didn’t belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home at last." She also thanked Andrew Lloyd Webber, saying, "It’s happened, Andrew! It’s been such an honor to be able to create with you over the past 15 years." This milestone is particularly poignant given their past professional ups and downs, including Scherzinger’s withdrawal from a Broadway run of Cats and Lloyd Webber’s earlier skepticism about her Tony prospects.
Tom Francis reprises his Olivier Award-winning role as Joe Gillis, the struggling screenwriter who stumbles into Norma’s tragic world. Alongside him are Grace Hodgett-Young as Betty Schaefer and David Thaxton as Max Von Mayerling, both Olivier Award winners who transferred from the acclaimed West End cast. Mandy Gonzalez serves as Norma’s alternate on Tuesday evenings, with her final performance scheduled for July 1, 2025.
The musical’s narrative remains faithful to the 1950 Billy Wilder film noir classic that inspired it, which starred Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond and William Holden as Joe Gillis. The film’s legacy is formidable: nominated for eleven Academy Awards and winning three, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1989 and ranked number 12 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century in 1998. The musical adaptation, crafted by Lloyd Webber with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, first premiered in the West End in 1993 before moving to Broadway in 1994, where it won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Jamie Lloyd’s revival breaks new ground with its stark, minimalist aesthetic and innovative use of multimedia. Notably, Tom Francis’s rendition of the title song unfolds across multiple settings, beginning backstage, moving outdoors, and culminating on stage, a dynamic staging choice that has been widely praised for its emotional impact.
Critics and audiences alike have lauded the production’s ability to delve into the darker facets of ambition, obsession, and the intoxicating allure of fame. The revival’s choreography by Fabian Aloise complements the narrative’s tension, while Alan Williams’s music supervision and direction ensure that the score’s haunting melodies resonate with renewed power.
Beyond the Tony Awards, the production has garnered seven WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best Performer in a Musical for Scherzinger, further cementing its status as a theatrical phenomenon. The show’s creative team includes intimacy coordinator Ann James, and casting directors Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger for the U.S., with Stuart Burt handling U.K. casting.
As the revival continues to play at the St. James Theatre until mid-July, it invites a new generation of theatergoers to experience the tragic glamour of Norma Desmond’s world. This fresh, daring interpretation not only honors the legacy of the original film and musical but also reinvents it for today’s audience, proving that the story of Sunset Boulevard remains as compelling and relevant as ever.
With its Tony triumph and critical acclaim, Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard has firmly established itself as a landmark production, blending classic storytelling with bold innovation and unforgettable performances.
