Three-time Tony winner Glenn Close, who created the role of Norma Desmond in the original 1994 Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, will return to the part in 2017 at Broadway's Palace Theatre.
Direct from a sold-out engagement earlier this year at the English National Opera, which marked Close’s West End debut, this production of the musical—which is based on Billy Wilder's classic film of the same name—will feature a 40-piece orchestra. Directed by Lonny Price, previews will begin February 2, 2017, with an official opening night set for February 9. The production will play a limited 16-week engagement.
Michael Xavier will play Joe in the revival after playing the role in the ENO production in London. He recently played the role of Gaylord Ravenal in the critically acclaimed musical Show Boat at the Sheffield Crucible. His other theatre credits include Suffolk/ George of Clarence in Sir Trevor Nunn’s production of The Wars Of The Roses at The Rose Theatre, Emmanuel Schikaneder in Emmanuel and Eleonore (workshop) directed by Sir Trevor Nunn and composed by Stephen Schwartz, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Cornelius Hakl in Hello Dolly at the Leicester Curve Theatre, Oliver in Love Story at The Duchess Theatre (Olivier Nomination-Best Actor in a Musical), Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into The Woods at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (Olivier Nomination-Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), Curly in Oklahoma! at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Sir Galahad in Spamalot at The Palace Theatre, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Bob Baker in Wonderful Town for the Royal Exchange Theatre, James Prince in Soho Cinders, Sky in Mamma Mia and Freddy in My Fair Lady. His television and film credits include Tom in Never Let Go (Latitude Films), Rob in Gnomeland (Short) and The Muppets..Again! (Disney). Michael has also hosted the UK Theatre Awards, West End Live and the Olivier Awards at the Piazza.
Siobhan Dillon will play Betty Shaefer, was a finalist on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s How Do you Solve A Problem Like Maria? on BBC1. Her theatre credits include Sandy in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre, Molly Jensen in Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre, Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre and Sally Bowles in the UK tour of Cabaret.
