The minimalist revival of Sunset Blvd., helmed by Jamie Lloyd, clinched the 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall on June 8. This production, which racked up seven Tony nominations—the highest for any revival this season—outshone competitors like Floyd Collins, Gypsy, and Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
During the acceptance speech, Andrew Lloyd Webber shared his delight. “What a joy it is to be here. And I want to congratulate wonderful Jamie Lloyd on the reinterpretation of my piece,” he said. “I mean, it’s just fantastic for me to see old shows rethought, reworked, and with the most fantastic lead with Nicole.”
The show earned its seven nominations on May 1, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Nicole Scherzinger), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tom Francis), Best Direction of a Musical (Lloyd), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Jack Knowles), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Adam Fisher), and Best Orchestrations (Lloyd Webber and David Cullen).
This revival, which debuted on Broadway with an official opening on October 20, 2024, after previews starting September 28 at the St. James Theatre, is currently running an extended limited engagement through July 20. Following a celebrated run in London, Lloyd’s stripped-down approach brought four West End stars to Broadway: Olivier winner Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, Olivier winner Tom Francis as Joe Gillis, Olivier nominee Grace Hodgett-Young as Betty Schaefer, and Olivier winner and nominee David Thaxton as Max Von Mayerling.
Departing from the musical’s usual lavish staging, this version features a sparse set and heavy use of live video, creating a striking contrast. Social media buzzed with images of Scherzinger, blood-streaked during the London curtain call, while Francis’s rendition of the title track—starting backstage, moving outdoors, and ending on stage—has become a standout moment.
Inspired by the 1950 Billy Wilder film, Sunset Boulevard (with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton) follows reclusive star Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson in the movie, who becomes infatuated with struggling writer Joe Gillis, portrayed by William Holden. Both actors, along with Wilder, earned Oscar nods for the film.
The Broadway production boasts set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, choreography by Fabian Aloise, music supervision by Alan Williams, lighting by Jack Knowles, sound by Adam Fisher, video design by Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, hair and makeup by Cheryl Thomas, intimacy coordination by Ann James, and casting by Jim Carnahan, Jason Thinger, and Stuart Burt. Johnny Milani serves as stage manager, with 101 Productions, Ltd. as general manager. It’s brought to life by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, and Gavin Kalin Productions, in partnership with The Really Useful Group Ltd and based on the Paramount Pictures classic.
Good grief.