Sunset Boulevard (musical)

Sunset Boulevard
Original West End logo
MusicAndrew Lloyd Webber
LyricsDon Black
Christopher Hampton Additional lyrics by Amy Powers
BookDon Black
Christopher Hampton
BasisSunset Boulevard
by Charles Brackett
Billy Wilder
D. M. Marshman Jr.
Premiere12 July 1993: Adelphi Theatre, London
Productions1991 Sydmonton Festival
1993 West End
1994 Broadway
1996 US tour
1998 US tour
2001 UK tour
2008 West End revival
2017 Broadway revival
2017 UK Tour
2023 West End revival
2024 Broadway revival
Awards1995 Tony Awards for:
Best Musical
Best Score
Best Book
2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival
2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical

Sunset Boulevard is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics and libretto by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, based on the 1950 film. The plot follows Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent-screen era, living in her decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard in 1949 Los Angeles. When young screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees an opportunity to make her return to the big screen, with romance and tragedy to follow.

Opening first in London in 1993, the musical has had several long runs internationally and enjoyed extensive tours. However, it has been the subject of several legal battles and ultimately lost money due to its extraordinary running costs. The 1994 Broadway production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning 7, including best musical. The 2023 West End revival was nominated for 11 Olivier Awards, winning 7, including best musical revival. The 2024 Broadway revival was nominated for 7 Tony Awards and won 3, including Best Revival of a Musical.


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