Nicole Scherzinger Brings Old Hollywood Glam to Broadway in Sunset Blvd.
- Chantel Nicole
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
From pop star to stage queen — Nicole Scherzinger's Broadway debut proves her talent knows no bounds. Watch her in Sunset Blvd. before it's final curtain on July 13th!
If you’ve hung around here for a bit, you know we like to keep it short and sweet. So we’re breaking this down into three easy bites: the basics, the performance review, and pro tips to help you plan the perfect date night.
"And We're Rolling": The General Rundown
Full Title: Sunset Boulevard
Theater: St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., New York, map
Main Cast: Nicole Scherzinger
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one intermission
Lyrics and Music: Don Black, Christopher Hampton (lyrics) & Andrew Lloyd Webber (music)
Tickets: See Availability Here
Plot: This classic story follows faded silent-film star Norma Desmond, whose dreams of a triumphant Hollywood comeback are reignited when she crosses paths with struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis. As ambition, obsession, and fantasy blur, their entanglement spirals into a haunting and unforgettable tragedy.
Faded Stars, Bright Performances: A Close-Up Look of Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond
As a longtime pop music fan and host of a pop podcast, I was beyond excited to see Nicole Scherzinger on Broadway, especially as Norma Desmond. Being a pop star who’s spent decades reinventing herself made her portrayal of Norma, a former silent film icon clinging to fame, hit even harder. That personal parallel added real emotional weight to her performance. You could see it in her expressions and feel it in every note making Nicole’s take on Norma Desmond both fabulous and fascinating.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is gorgeous, but vocally, it’s no joke. The music is demanding. Nicole rose to the occasion while fully embodying Norma’s chaotic and unsteady world. As Norma, she moved with frantic, often erratic energy, yet managed to belt out notes with power and clarity at every turn. I always knew she had the charisma of a pop siren, but on this stage, she was magnetic.
The production aged Norma down to her 40s, which added an extra layer to her relationship with Joe — it gave their dynamic that unmistakable “cougar chasing the young screenwriter” energy, and it worked. Nicole played it with elegance, sharp humor, and a little danger. Most importantly, she wasn’t just another “look who we can afford” celebrity casting. By the final scenes — without giving too much away — her performance turned raw and haunting. The way she hissed, groaned, shouted, and then dropped into these icy, spine-tingling vocals? It made me think: if I were Robin Antin back in the early 2000s, I’d have made her the lead Pussycat Doll too.
While Nicole was the main draw for me, the entire cast, especially Tom Francis as Joe Gillis, deserves their flowers. His portrayal of Joe was grounded, compelling, and brought a steady charm that balanced both the story’s intensity and Nicole’s larger-than-life Norma.
I have to credit the production team as well. The set design was sleek and stripped back. Costumes stayed minimal, mostly black-and-white silhouettes, allowing the acting and music to shine. Smoke and lighting were used to striking effect, creating tension and mood with every scene. And the giant screen hovering above the stage projected key visuals in a surreal, larger-than-life way — almost like watching Norma’s fractured mind unravel in real time.
If I had one major critique, it would be the choreography. I’m all for modern flair, but some moments leaned too far into hip-hop. There were sections where the ensemble started twerking or hitting TikTok-style moves while emotional, haunting music played, and it pulled me out of the moment. Blending dance styles can be powerful when done with balance, but here it felt uneven.
Still, none of that stopped the show from being a knockout. Nicole Scherzinger proved she’s not just a pop icon — she’s a commanding, emotional, powerhouse performer. And she earned every second of that standing ovation.
Rolling Out the Red Carpet: Your Cinematic Date Night Plan
Add a cinematic flair to your date night by starting with dinner at Smith & Wollensky. The famed Midtown restaurant has been featured in timeless classics like American Psycho and The Devil Wears Prada.
Then, keep the showbiz vibes alive at one of NYC’s newest piano bars — So&So. Opened in 2024, this spot has already welcomed Broadway heavy-hitters like Solea Pfeiffer (currently dazzling as Satine in Moulin Rouge!) and Darren Criss (starring as Oliver in Maybe Happy Ending).
🎭 Heads up: You’ve only got until July 13 to catch Sunset Blvd. on Broadway — grab those tickets before the curtain falls!
If you decide to play out this cinematic date night, don’t forget to tag us in your Playbill selfie at @popupgirlsnyc!
