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Based on the 1950 Billy Wilder film, Sunset Boulevard tells
the story of Norma Desmond, an aging silent screen star desperate
to make a comeback, and her young lover, a struggling screenwriter
named Joe. Although the musical begins with Joe’s corpse floating
facedown in Norma’s pool–a feat accomplished by designer John
Napier in the original production–it is the young screenwriter
who provides narration for the entire story.
Sunset Boulevard originally opened in London with Patti
LuPone playing the part of Ms. Desmond. Although her contract
stipulated that she would appear in the Broadway production as
well, when the musical opened in New York at the Minskoff Theatre
on November 17, 1994, it was Glenn Close in the lead role. During
the course of the Broadway run, Ms. Close was succeeded by Betty
Buckley, who had also replaced Patti LuPone in London.
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