Glenn Close-led revival of Sunset Boulevard extends

Following rave reviews it has today been announced that the current Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, starring three-time Tony winner and six-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close has extended its booking through 25 June 2017 at the Palace Theatre.

The production, which transferred from a run at the London Coliseum, officially opened on 9 February and was initially scheduled to run through to May 28, 2017.

The production earned solid reviews from the New York and London critics, with most of the praise levelled at Close for her role of Norma Desmond: "One of the great performances of this century. You have to - and I mean have to - see it in person" (New York Times); "Glenn Close brings down the house - she leaves you thunderstuck" (Washington Post); "one of those 'must see' performances that comes around every decade or so." (NY1).

Sunset Boulevard features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with book & lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. This production, directed by Lonny Price, will feature an on-stage 40-piece orchestra - the largest on Broadway.

Synopsis: "In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded, silent-screen goddess, Norma Desmond, lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world. Persuaded to work on Norma's 'masterpiece', a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious life-style. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences. The musical is based on the 1950 film of the same name."

Joining Glenn Close in the cast of Sunset Boulevard are her London co-stars two-time Olivier nominee Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Schaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max von Mayerling), alongside Nancy Anderson, Mackenzie Bell, Preston Truman Boyd, Barry Busby, Britney Coleman, Julian Decker, Anissa Felix, Drew Foster, David Hess, Brittney Johnson, Katie Ladner, Stephanie Martignetti, Lauralyn McClelland, T. Oliver Reid, Lance Roberts, Stephanie Rothenberg, Graham Rowat, Paul Schoeffler, Andy Taylor, Sean Thompson, Matt Wall and Jim Walton.

Sunset Boulevard opened to rave reviews at the London Coliseum on 4 April 2016. Click HERE to read the London Theatre Guide's review.

The musical premiered in London's West End in 1993, and earned Olivier Award nominations for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical. The production was directed by Sir Trevor Nunn and starred two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone. After various well-publicized law suits, Glenn Close took over the role of Norma Desmond as Sunset Boulevard premiered on Broadway in 1994, earning Ms. Close her third Tony Award and picking up seven Tonys in total.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is now celebrated with the rare distinction of having four musicals running on Broadway at the same time: The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Cats and Sunset Boulevard.