Live, Learn, and Play: Four Somerville Performers to Appear in Moonstruck’s Sunset Boulevard

Somerville, MA — Four Somerville residents, Jeanmarie LaPointe, Daniel Loftus, Jake Padina, and Bryan Smith will appear in Moonstruck Theater Company’s production of Sunset Boulevard, running August 6–15 at The Rockwell in Davis Square. The production is also rehearsing in Somerville. As core members of the production's fast-paced ensemble, they act as pillars on which the musical's world is built and populated.

Winner of ten Tony Awards, Andrew Lloy Webber's Sunset Boulevard follows faded silent-film star Norma Desmond and struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis through a dark and glittering story of fame, obsession, and ambition.

Jeanmarie LaPointe, who holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Plymouth State University, recently appeared in Mary Poppins, Freaky Friday, and Seussical. She received the Lou Award of Chicago for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Freaky Friday.

"I'm so excited to be back in the Boston area and to return to the theatre scene here!" LaPointe exclaims, "One of my first big shows as a kid was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Marblehead Little Theatre. It's been interesting to work on a very different Andrew Lloyd Webber musical almost 20 years later!"

Tufts graduate Jake Padina plays Manfred and others in the multi-track role as part of the ensemble. His previous performances have prepared him well for the quick-moving musical veiled in dark themes. They include Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Cliff in Cabaret, and Willard in Footloose.

"One of my favorite parts of this experience has been getting to meet and work with people of all ages and experiences." Padina shares, "Everyone has been so welcoming, and it’s made my first community theater production incredibly special!”

Daniel Loftus returns to the stage after more than ten years away. Originally a musical theatre major in college, he pivoted to molecular biology and now works for a local biotech firm. His favorite credits include Leo Bloom in The Producers, Matt in The Fantasticks, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and George in The Drowsy Chaperone.

"I auditioned for Sunset Boulevard because I saw Moonstruck Theater’s production of Reefer Madness last summer and it was an absolute blast," says Loftus, "Working on this beautiful show with this wonderful cast and crew has been every bit as amazing as I had hoped, and I cannot wait to share what we have been building together."

Longtime Moonstruck performer Bryan Smith most recently appeared as Tommy Albright in The Concord Players’ Brigadoon. With experience performing classical work and thought-provoking musicals, his previous credits include Twelfth Night and Jekyll & Hyde. Additionally, he directed Moonstruck’s 2025 production of Reefer Madness, also at The Rockwell. When asked about what audiences should remember about the show, Smith jokes, "Don't feed the plants - wait, wrong show. Don't feed the delusional actor's ego. I swear it's not me this time!"

Moonstruck Theater Company was founded in 2006 by a group of college students with a simple mission: put on shows they loved, while giving performers of all experience levels a chance to learn by doing. The 501c3 nonprofit went on to produce more than 20 main-stage shows before taking a break in 2017. After nearly a decade away, Moonstruck returned to the stage last year, continuing their penchant for shows that are fun, fearless, and just a little unhinged.

Performances of Sunset Boulevard run August 6–15 at The Rockwell, at 255 Elm Street in Somerville. Tickets and additional information are available at [moonstrucktheater.com](http://www.moonstrucktheater.com).