The Broadway staging of “Sunset Boulevard” is welcoming a new offstage cover. Rashidra Scott will serve as standby for the lead role of Norma Desmond beginning on Jan. 21 at the St. James Theatre. Scott will take over for original standby Caroline Bowman, who will exit the production on Jan. 19. Bowman, as previously reported, will play a principal role in the upcoming Broadway bow of “Smash.”
Scott made her Broadway debut replacing in “Avenue Q” and has subsequently performed in “Hair,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Sister Act,” “Beautiful” and “Ain’t Too Proud.” Scott most recently appeared on Broadway as Susan in the 2021 revival of “Company.”
Nicole Scherzinger leads “Sunset Boulevard,” reprising her Olivier Award-winning performance as Norma Desmond, alongside Tom Francis repeating his Olivier-winning turn as Joe Gillis, with Grace Hodget Young and David Thaxton returning to their Olivier-nominated portrayals of Betty Schaefer and Max Von Mayerling, respectively. Mandy Gonzalez appears as Norma Desmond at select performances listed here.
Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics and a book by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, “Sunset Boulevard” chronicles former silent film star Norma Desmond as she reflects on her diminishing career. The Jamie Lloyd-directed production began previews on Sept. 28, 2024, and opened on Oct. 20. An original cast album, recorded live during the production’s West End run, was released in October.
“Sunset Boulevard” is produced by the Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and Gavin Kalin Productions by arrangement with the Really Useful Group Ltd.
