PerformInk
PerformInk is Chicago's entertainment industry trade publication.
Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the cast and design team for “Sunset Boulevard,” with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics and books by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. Michael Weber directs Porchlight’s production, with choreography by Shanna VanDerwerker and music direction from Aaron Benham.
The production features the previously announced Hollis Resnik as “Norma Desmond,” alongside Billy Rude as “Joe Gillis;” Michelle Lauto as “Betty Schaefer;” Larry Adams as “Max Von Meyerling;” Joe Giovanetti as “Artie Green” and David Girolmo as “Cecil B. DeMille.” The ensemble includes Anna Brockman, Marcellus Burt, Justin Cavazos, Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, Laz Estrada, Brian Healey, Alex Jackson, Molly Kral, Jerry Miller, Mandy Modic, Michelle Owens, Danny Spagnuolo, Laura Sportello and Ambria Sylvain.
In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, silent-screen legend Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world. When impoverished screenwriter Joe Gillis (on the run from debt collectors) stumbles into her reclusive domain, he is persuaded to work on Norma’s “masterpiece,” a screenplay that she believes will put her back in front of cameras.
Based on the Billy Wilder film, “Sunset Boulevard” features a rich score including the hit songs “With One Look” and “As if We Never Said Goodbye.”
Weber’s production team includes Kevin Barthel, wig design; Anthony Churchill, projection design; Robert Hornbostel, sound design; Jeff Kmiec, set design; Bill Morey, costume design; Maggie-Fullilove-Nugent, lighting design and Michael Hendricks, stage manager.
“Sunset Boulevard” plays October 11 – November 24 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts. More info at porchlightmusictheatre.org.