Sunset Boulevard is a grand, dramatic show filled with opulent music and spectacular singing. This is the Asia Premiere of a brand-new lavish production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical show and is currently showing at the Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands for a limited run of 7 to 23 February 2025.
Opening on the grand set of Paramount Studios in Hollywood in 1949, it follows the story of Joe Gillis (Tim Draxl), a struggling writer looking for work.
On the run from some debt collectors, he stumbles into the home of Norma Desmond (Sarah Brightman), a middle aged movie star of the silent film age.
Sunset Boulevard Themes: Faded Glory & Broken Relationships
For those who are not familiar with Sunset Boulevard, it is a tale about faded glory and unfulfilled ambition.
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Norma Desmond is a legendary silent movie star who has been “discarded” by Hollywood who longs for a return to the big screen. She meets struggling Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis and this leads to a passionate and volatile relationship that eventually ends in tragedy.
Take note that the storyline of Sunset Boulevard has mentions of suicide and also depicts Desmond’s rapidly deteriorating mental health, which are sensitive subjects.
The toxic relationship between Norma and Joe is an outward reflection of the destructive nature of fame. Joe is initially drawn to Norma for her money; Norma wants to keep him close for companionship. It is easy to sympathise with Joe. Norma less so as she manipulates Joe into staying with her.
Hollywood on Stage at Sand Theatre, Singapore
The Sunset Boulevard musical alternates between upbeat jazzy numbers like “Every Movie’s a Circus” and more classical and operatic songs such as “As If We Never Said Goodbye”.
The quality of the music itself is superb. The horn and string sections especially shine throughout the entire musical.
Furthermore, the actors are consistently phenomenal vocally.
The legendary Sarah Brightman shines in the iconic role of Norma Desmond. This is the first time that she is be performing in a musical theatre production in Singapore. Brightman’s voice is high and haunting, yielding a memorable performance.
Draxl is especially a standout as Joe Gillis. He sings the Act II opener and title track, “Sunset Boulevard” which may be the highlight of the show due to his incredible acting and soaring vocals.
The show makes heavy use of projections for transition scenes, which we felt slightly took away from the immersion of the show, but overall the set is good.
The majority of the musical takes place on the set of Norma Desmond’s mansion, which is consequently the best set piece of the show. It features a spiraling staircase and is lavishly decorated, even having an organ built into one of the walls.
The blocking of the show is also very impressive. Each character moves clearly and decisively. The dance sequence in the opening number is energetic and immediately pulls you into the electrifying air of Hollywood.
Another highlight in terms of choreography is the final scene, in which Norma Desmond descends the stairs, surrounded by reporters, having fully lost her mind.
Review of Sunset Boulevard at Sands Theatre Singapore
If you are a musical fan or a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s brand of musicals, Sunset Boulevard is something that you’d want to watch. The music is absolutely the highlight of the show, and the choreography and set are phenomenal. Plus, it is a chance to be enthralled by the legendary Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera both in the West End and on Broadway, in Singapore.
Sunset Boulevard is only in Singapore at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands for a limited season of three weeks. Get more details about the Sunset Boulevard musical in Singapore.
