Nicole Scherzinger has received critical-acclaim for her starring role on West End’s Sunset Boulevard – and now she is headed to Broadway.
The former Pussycat Doll will be making her Broadway debut this year when Sunset Boulevard opens in New York City.
‘Broadway 2024,’ the Sunset Boulevard Instagram account announced on Thursday. ‘Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett-Young and David Thaxton star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s #SunsetBlvd, reimagined by visionary director Jamie Lloyd. Be the first to get tickets. Sign up now at sunsetblvdbroadway.com.’
While no specific opening date was provided, fans will be able to receive future information by signing up on the website. Citing sources, The New York Post has reported that the musical will open at the St. James Theater in November.
Nicole stars as silent movie star Norma Desmond in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which is based on the film by Billy Wilder. The revival will continue running at The Savoy Theatre in London until January 6.
Nicole Scherzinger has received critical-acclaim for her starring role on West End’s Sunset Boulevard – and now she is headed to Broadway
In November, Nicole was awarded Best Musical Performance at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for her role in Sunset Boulevard.
The former Pussycat Doll couldn’t control her emotions as she took to the stage at London’s swanky Claridge’s Hotel to accept the honour for her showstopping turn in West End Musical Sunset Boulevard.
She had been up against A Strange Loop’s Kyle Ramar Freeman, Crazy For You’s Charlie Stemp and Guys & Dolls’ Marisha Wallace for the award.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was not able to attend the awards in person but said that his leading lady had ‘given us a performance for the ages.’
Nicole then welled up as she revealed that her role as Norma Desmond in the atmospheric musical had helped her ‘be accepted by London’s theatre community.’
Nicole’s new role marked her return to the stage, eight years after she was nominated for an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Grizabella in Cats.
Her musical comeback was heralded a success by Daily Mail reviewer Luke Jones who gave her a five star review.
It said: ‘The classically romantic score remains, melting over a slightly clunky plot about a reclusive, deluded silent movie star who ensnares a young writer called Joe, so he can polish her comeback screenplay. Over the course of two-and-a-half hours she loses her marbles, and he loses his life.
Scherzinger accepting the award for Best Musical Performance for Sunset Boulevard at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Nicole stars as silent movie star Norma Desmond in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which will continue running at The Savoy Theatre in London until January 6
‘Director Jamie Lloyd, who’s been toiling at his stripped-back and moody style of revival for years, has finally hit the sweet spot. No lavish costumes, no intricate set. Just live camera work, a ferociously big star, and an even bigger band.
‘The lighting is almost exclusively bright white, which designer Jack Knowles harnesses in the most magical way. It pulsates, hides and reveals, using the thick stage mist.
‘Dominating the view, though, is an enormous screen, giving us haunting, live close-up shots of the actors in front of us… melodramatic glances, fluttering lashes and big bulbous tears. Scherzinger even delivers a pouty over-the-shoulder look right down the barrel.
‘It’s a perfect marriage of psychological trauma and camp. Think Pinter, with a bouncy brass section and expressive dance. Or opera, if it were watchable. Norma’s dramatics are put in what feels like a real world.’
Scherzinger thanked Lin-Manuel Miranda and JJ Abrams for checking out Sunset Boulevard in November
Her musical comeback was heralded a success by Daily Mail reviewer Luke Jones who gave her a five star review
He continued: ‘Scherzinger will rightly get a low-loader full of awards, but so too should her co-star Tom Francis, as poor Joe. Both are vocally flawless. Both deftly balance the histrionic and the genuinely heartbreaking, the playful and raw.
‘They take their bows dripping in fake blood and genuine, hard-earned sweat.
‘Nicole Scherzinger nails it from the off. Any doubts I had about a Pussycat Doll playing Hollywood’s answer to Miss Havisham were banished pronto.
‘The early tune, With One Look, sees Scherzinger, as the mighty Norma Desmond, rip off her sunglasses and, in a tornado of stage haze and white-hot spotlights, roar an ear-popping showstopper.
‘The room leaped to its feet. Fading pop star becomes fading film icon, to dramatic perfection! I gasped – losing a full mouthful of gin and tonic to my shirt.
‘Forget Billy Wilder’s hammy noir original, and the lavish productions of this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical we’re used to. Here is a thrillingly fresh and surprisingly dark revival.
‘For my money (and for a good seat do bring a wheelbarrow of it) this is the show of the year.’
