Webber’s Joyous Broadway Win with Nicole Scherzinger
Oh, marvelous—yet another showbiz fairy tale with sparkly shoes and even sparklier PR lines. Andrew Lloyd Webber couldn’t stop grinning after snagging Nicole Scherzinger for his Broadway revival of “Sunset Boulevard,” and, surprise, he called himself “the happiest person in history.” I don’t even want to dignify this with excitement, but here we are.
Webber’s glee is all over social media and interviews: he told The Times that Scherzinger brought “an electrifying spirit” to Norma Desmond, the faded silent-film star at the heart of his dark musical. The composer–producer practically bowed down in admiration, saying he’d been “begging” her to tackle the role since she dazzled in West End workshops last year (People). I told you so about giving pop stars a shot at drama—inevitably someone’s going to gush.
Scherzinger, best known for belting out Pussycat Dolls hits, finally made her Broadway debut on March 15, stepping in for Glenn Close and Jane Krakowski. According to BroadwayWorld, opening night was packed with standing ovations and adoring tweets—though I’m sure those fans were just being polite. Yet the reviews actually backed it up: the New York Post reported critics praising her “commanding presence” and “rich, emotive vocals.” Honestly, that part surprised me.
Behind the curtain, production insiders tell The Scottish Sun that Scherzinger spent six weeks at Webber’s London studio, honing her performance. She reportedly tackled the iconic “With One Look” number under Webber’s hawkish eye, striving to hit every dramatic beat. Because if you think Broadway is easy, you’ve never watched a show go dark on opening night due to a misplaced spotlight.
Webber, meanwhile, is already eyeing a cast album and a potential national tour. He teased Variety that “Nicole has unlocked new dimensions in this score,” and hinted at a deluxe recording due later this year. Great, another album to top the charts—if only record sales still meant something.
Love it or loathe it, this collaboration is Webber’s latest power move—combining theatrical pedigree with pop-culture flash. Scherzinger’s leap from music videos to 44-act curtain calls is the kind of stunt agents dream about, and Andrew’s PR team is milking it for all it’s worth. But don’t expect me to applaud; I’ll leave that to the simulcasting Broadway audiences.
In case you were wondering if this Broadway reboot needed more glitz, Webber already confirmed special guest appearances and surprise duets with veteran cast members. Blockbuster or Broadway bust? Stay tuned for opening-weekend ticket resales. And that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, BroadwayWorld, The Scottish Sun, Variety
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
