Sunset Boulevard Opens at Arlington Friends of the Drama

Grab a friend and cruise on down the boulevard: Sunset Boulevard that is! Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher, this musical is based on Billy Wilder's Academy Award-winning 1950 movie of the same title. The plot revolves around Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent screen era, living in the past in her decaying mansion on the famous Los Angeles street. When young screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees in him an opportunity to make her comeback to the big screen, while Joe sees it as an opportunity to make some money free-loading off the rich, but now delusional movie star.

Filled with both romance and tragedy, the musical won Tony awards for both Best Musical and Best Musical Score when it opened on Broadway, and has been performed in ten countires and four continents. Kevin Mark Kline is directing this show which has been on his bucket list for a long time. “This is my favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. I have always seen it as a minimalist production, where the actors and the music tell the story, which makes it perfect for the AFD stage.”

To produce this large musical on a community theater stage, Kline has had a assemble a very creative production team, which has had to hone in on the essentials to make the music and the story come to life. Since the play involves scenes at Paramount studios, a Holly wood mansion and a car chase among others, the set has had to be simple, yet versatile. Projections are being used to help set the stage and enhance the action where needed. And to help set the mood, even the ushers will be dressed as old 1950's movie ushers.

Janet Ferreri plays the diva Norma Desmond, and Trey Lundquist as Joe Gillis. Jim Ansart plays the enigmatic Max and Heather Hannon Rufo plays Betty, while long time AFD member Charlie Carr plays Cecil B. DeMille. Other cast memebers include Patrick Harris, Ira Kantor, Paul Dingman, Nick Stevens, Robert McCall, Lisa Tierney, Adina Lundquist, Dilara Eynula, Emily Jane Morris, Corrine Apostolides, Alexis Kirkpatrick, Adam Kaplowitz and Timothy Gravely.

Production dates are March 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19, with the usual 8PM show time on Fridays and Saturdays and 4PM on Sundays. There is a chance to walk the red carpet, snap a selfie in the lobby and enjoy a champagne reception on opening night, and a talk back with the cast is scehdule after the show on March 5^th. The open dress for seniors and high school students is on Thursday March 2 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Arlington Friends of the Drama, 22 Academy Street, Arlington.