“The audacity of this performance is matched by its veracity.”
MUSICALREVIVALCLOSED
Sunset Boulevard
Opened Feb 9, 2017 · Closed Jun 25, 2017 · Ran for 4 months
3 Rave
5 Positive
1 Mixed
4 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics praise Glenn Close's masterful, nuanced return as Norma Desmond, but many find the scaled-down production underwhelming compared to her towering performance in this uneven Lloyd Webber musical.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
13 reviews3 Rave
5 Positive
1 Mixed
4 Negative
Sort:
“Close's performance is so ferociously committed that it's impossible to look away, even when you want to.”
“Her masterful portrayal also delivers the one thing poor nutty Norma most craves: An adoring, utterly captivated audience, and applause that echoes long after the curtain falls.”
“Her experience, knowledge and craft prove that Sunset Boulevard is an old warhorse that can still finish the race in first place.”
“The lush orchestrations do ample justice to the beauty of Lloyd Webber's score, which includes the aforementioned "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and "With One Look," two songs that went on to become standards.”
Audience Scorecard
1.3K audience reviews
B+
Liking It
Awards Scorecard
2016-17 season33
Nominated
Nominated for Best Actress (Musical)
WhatsOnStage:3 nomsDrama Desk:1 nomOuter Critics:1 nomDrama League:1 nom
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Sunset Boulevard?
Critics praise Glenn Close's masterful, nuanced return as Norma Desmond, but many find the scaled-down production underwhelming compared to her towering performance in this uneven Lloyd Webber musical. (CriticScore 71/100 from 13 reviews.)
Is Sunset Boulevard worth seeing?
Probably, if the material interests you. Critics say Sunset Boulevard is worth seeing (71/100 from 13 reviews) — it works best if the premise or cast appeals to you.
What is the CriticScore for Sunset Boulevard?
Sunset Boulevard has a CriticScore of 71/100 based on 13 professional reviews. This is rated "Worth Seeing".
Is Sunset Boulevard still running on Broadway?
No, Sunset Boulevard has closed. It played at Palace Theatre and closed on June 25, 2017.
Theater Scorecard
Great VenueSpectacularly renovated in a $100M+ project that literally raised the theater 30 feet. The restoration preserved its opulent 1913 interior while upgrading acoustics, seating comfort, and best-in-class restrooms on every level — widely considered the best facilities on Broadway.
Seating Scorecard
5 sections2 best2 good1 risky
Closest and most direct view of the stage at Palace Theatre, with the fullest sound. The standard top pick for any show here.
Based on aggregated audience reports and editorial judgment. Sightlines vary by show and seat.
Original Broadway Cast
- Glenn CloseNorma Desmond
- Siobhan DillonBetty SchaefferBroadway debut
- Fred JohansonMax von MayerlingBroadway debut
- Michael XavierJoe GillisBroadway debut
- Nancy AndersonEnsemble
- Mackenzie BellEnsemble
- Preston Truman BoydArtie Green
- Barry BusbyEnsemble
Creative Team
- Lonny PriceDirector
- Don BlackBook & Lyrics
- Christopher HamptonBook & Lyrics
- Kristen BlodgetteMusic Supervision & Direction
- Andrew Lloyd WebberMusic
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 71/100 (13 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Feb 9, 2017
- Closed
- Jun 25, 2017
- Run Length
- 4 months
- Synopsis
- 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.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
