Nicole Scherzinger Is Ready for Her Close Up as Cast ofSunset BoulevardRehearses for Broadway (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Nicole Scherzinger is ready for her close up while rehearsing for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ on Broadway.Photo:ANDY HENDERSON

ANDY HENDERSON

The highly anticipated revival ofAndrew Lloyd Webber’sbeloved musicalSunset Boulevardis days away from its Broadway bow, and PEOPLE has an exclusive First Look at the cast in rehearsals.

Nicole Scherzingeris leadingthe Jamie Lloyd-helmed production, which is transferring to New York City after an acclaimed run in London’s West End last year. Performances begin at the St. James Theatre on Sept. 28, ahead of its official opening on Oct. 20.

PhotographersAndy HendersonandMarc J. Franklinsnapped the cast in over two separate rehearsals, one on Sept. 12 and another on Sept. 21. The latter was at the famed sitzprobe, where the cast practices together with the orchestra for the first time.

Among the the action captured in the pictures were a few intimate moments with Scherzinger, including one in which she struck a reflective pose and another in which she flipped her hair back.

Nicole Scherzinger flips her hair back during ‘Sunset Boulevard’ rehearsals.ANDY HENDERSON

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The Grammy-nominated singer is playing faded silent movie starNorma Desmondin the musical, which follows Desmond as she hires young screenwriter Joe Gillis (actor Tom Francis) to help her stage a comeback to the silver screen after Hollywood deems her too old for the industry.

Tom Francis and Nicole Scherzinger, dancing during ‘Sunset Boulevard’ rehearsals.ANDY HENDERSON

“That’s the tragedy: is that you’re in the best place in your life. You’re so fully, have so much to give, and people have discarded you, and dismissed you and said ‘Your time’s up,' " she said.

The cast of ‘Sunset Boulevard’.ANDY HENDERSON

Another dynamic shot was taken as the ensemble surrounded Francis, who sat while holding a handheld camera.

Live video plays a prominent role in Lloyd’s vision, with devices like this used to show unique angles of action that are then projected on stage screens for the house to see. It’s one of the many elements of the minimalist production that earned it so much praise overseas.

Tom Francis (center) and the cast of ‘Sunset Boulevard’.ANDY HENDERSON

Lloyd — a two-time Tony nominee for directing the Broadway revivals ofBetrayal(withTom Hiddlestonin 2019) andA Doll’s House(withJessica Chastainin 2023) — called on Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom for the video design and cinematography. Other members of the creative team include choreographer Fabian Aloise, who was seen in rehearsals deep in conversation with Francis, Hannah Yun Chamberlain (who plays Young Norma) and David Thaxton (who plays Max von Mayerling).

Scherzinger, Francis, Thaxton and Hodgett-Young all played those roles in London, too. Scherzinger won the Olivier Award, England’s equivalent to the Tony, while Hodgett-Young and Thaxon (a previous Oivier winner) were nominated.

Grace Hodgett Young during ‘Sunset Boulevard’ rehearsals.ANDY HENDERSON

The fullSunset Boulevardcast will also include Olivia Lacie Andrews (as Nancy), Brandon Mel Borkowsky (as John), Shavey Brown (as Finance Man/Stan/DeMill)e, Cydney Clark (as Joanna/Guard), Raúl Contreras (as Finance Man/Frank), Tyler Davis (as Sheldrake), E.J. Hamilton (as Lisa), Sydney Jones (as Dorothy), Emma Lloyd (as Mary/Heather), Pierre Marais (as Sammy), Shayna McPherson (as Camera Operator/Katherine), Jimin Moon (as Morino/Hog Eye), Justice Moore (as Jean), Drew Redington (as Myron/Jones/Camera Operator) and Diego Andres Rodriguez (as Artie).

Many of those stars — including Scherzinger, Francis, Thaxton, Hodgett-Young and Yun Chamberlain — will be making their Broadway debuts with the show.

Hannah Yun Chamberlain, David Thaxton, Tom Francis, and choreographer Fabian Aloise rehearse for ‘Sunset Boulevard’.ANDY HENDERSON

Sunset Boulevardoriginally premiered in London in 1993 with LuPone as Desmond before transferring to Broadway the following year, this time starring Close. It ran at there fore three more years before closing in 1997.

Close reprised the role as Desmond in a limited run 2017 revival.

In photos from the sitzprobe, Lloyd Webber, 76, appeared happy to hear the score again, standing and applauding in what will likely be the first of many standing ovations the cast will receive stateside.

Andrew Lloyd Webber at ‘Sunset Boulevard’ rehearsal.MARC J. FRANKLIN

MARC J. FRANKLIN

Last September, Scherzinger told PEOPLE that she did not necessarily dream of playing Desmond before speaking with director Lloyd about the role.

“I was like, ‘Are you crazy? Are you mad?‘I didn’t get it, because I only ever had Glenn Close in my mind — and Gloria Swanson in the old film,” she said at the time. “He was like, ‘Don’t watch the movie, don’t listen to anybody else, just read the lines and listen to the music.’ And when I did, I just fell in love with Norma. I didn’t realize that this is the role that I’ve been waiting to play all my life. We’re doing a completely different, new interpretation.”

“There are so many parallels betweenSunset Boulevardand what you have to do to make it in Hollywood,” she added at the time. “Even when you’re fully loaded with so much talent, you could still be overlooked because of stereotypes and ageism. It is a tragedy. " have so much ammunition for this — so much fuel.”

Jamie Lloyd and Nicole Scherzinger during ‘Sunset Boulevard’ rehearsals.ANDY HENDERSON

As for Lloyd, Scherzinger was his top choice and the perfect person to help him tell Desmond’s story, which his production interprets through the eyes of a modern lens.

“I felt it had to be you,” he told Scherzinger in the behind-the-scenes video shot earlier this year during the final weeks of her West End run. “I didn’t even consider anybody else for this role. … and you defied all expectations.”

“I just had this real strong instinct that you’d have this connection to this material; that you’d know what it’s like, that you’d have this real deep connection to being incredibly famous and then really not being given the opportunity to fully live to your full potential,” he continued. “And that’s the whole reason the production is the way it is. Where does Nicole Scherzinger end and where does Norma Desmond begin?”

Tickets forSunset Boulevardare now on sale.

The ensemble of ‘Sunset Boulevard’ share a celebratory moment during rehearsals.ANDY HENDERSON

source: people.com