Photo credit: www.broadwayworld.com
In a remarkable surprise at the recent performance of Sunset Blvd., Andrew Lloyd Webber made a special appearance alongside director Jamie Lloyd to auction off a striking red bullhorn used by lead star Nicole Scherzinger. This auction aimed at raising funds for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS garnered significant attention.
As the second act commenced, audience members were treated to a live broadcast showcasing star Tom Francis walking through the dressing rooms of the St. James Theatre. Traditionally, a life-size cardboard cutout of Lloyd Webber is integrated into the performance. However, his live appearance enthralled attendees, who greeted him with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation following his cameo in the entr’acte.
The post-performance auction featured Lloyd Webber and Jamie Lloyd, who joined the cast to raise funds from the bullhorn that Scherzinger used in a memorable moment during a prior matinee, which had to be canceled due to technical issues. Instead of disappointing fans, Scherzinger sang “With One Look” into the bullhorn, creating an unforgettable experience that soon went viral, earning praise from the New York Times for its potential to become part of Broadway history.
Thanks to the auction, a remarkable total of $7,000 was raised for Broadway Cares.
Recently, Sunset Blvd., under Lloyd’s direction, received nominations for the prestigious Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Awards in the Best Revival category, with Scherzinger recognized for her exceptional performance. Moreover, Lloyd garnered a nomination for Best Director from the Drama League, while Francis was honored with a nomination for Distinguished Performance.
The production is currently playing an extended, limited engagement at the St. James Theatre through Sunday, July 13. It also features Olivier Award nominee Grace Hodgett Young as ‘Betty Schaefer’ and Olivier Award winner David Thaxton as ‘Max Von Mayerling.’
Lloyd’s innovative reinterpretation of Webber’s iconic musical, rooted in the classic Paramount film directed by Billy Wilder, has quickly become a sensation this Broadway season. Critics have hailed the production as a “solar flare that dazzles” (New York Magazine) and a “brilliant, red-hot revival of Lloyd Webber’s best score” (Chicago Tribune).
The creative team for Sunset Blvd. includes Soutra Gilmour (set and costume design), Fabian Aloise (choreography), Alan Williams (music supervisor and music director), Jack Knowles (lighting design), Adam Fisher (sound design), and Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design and cinematography). Additional contributors include Cheryl Thomas (hair and makeup design), Ann James (intimacy coordinator), and casting directors Jim Carnahan CSA, Jason Thinger CSA, and Stuart Burt CDG.
This production is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, and Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, in association with Gavin Kalin Productions and the Really Useful Group Ltd.
Tickets for Sunset Blvd. are available at www.sunsetblvdbroadway.com.
About Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS stands as a vital philanthropic force within the Broadway community, providing essential services like medications, healthcare, counseling, and emergency financial support to individuals nationwide. Since its inception in 1988, this organization has raised over $300 million to assist those affected by HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
Recognized as a leading industry-based nonprofit, Broadway Cares is a significant contributor to essential social service programs operated by the Entertainment Community Fund. This encompasses initiatives such as The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts and the HIV/AIDS Initiative, supporting countless organizations that serve individuals living with these conditions. Furthermore, Broadway Cares also provides timely emergency aid across the globe, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian support during crises.
Source
www.broadwayworld.com