Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard is an English-language musical about a faded silent-film star and a struggling screenwriter, adapted from Billy Wilder’s 1950 film of the same name.

Sunset Boulevard (1950 film): Billy Wilder’s film noir about silent-film star Norma Desmond and screenwriter Joe Gillis. The musical adapts this film’s characters, story, and Hollywood setting.
Norma Desmond: A fictional former silent-film star who lives in isolation and dreams of returning to the screen. Her delusion and longing drive the musical’s tragedy.
Sung-through musical: A musical in which most dialogue is sung rather than spoken. The continuous score carries much of the plot and character development.
Sunset Boulevard (1993 original London production): The original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which opened in London in 1993. Its staging and cast established the musical before its later revisions.
Andrew Lloyd Webber: English composer of musical theatre, including The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard. He composed the musical’s score.
Joe Gillis: A fictional screenwriter who becomes financially dependent on Norma Desmond. His narration frames the story, even as he becomes its victim.
Theatre orchestra: A group of musicians performing live or recorded accompaniment for a stage production. The large orchestral sound gives the show its sweeping, cinematic scale.
Sunset Boulevard (1994 Broadway production): The Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard that opened in 1994, starring Glenn Close as Norma Desmond. Its major production choices brought the musical to a New York audience.
Don Black: English lyricist and screenwriter known for collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber. He co-wrote the musical’s lyrics and book.
Max von Mayerling: Norma Desmond’s former director and devoted butler in Sunset Boulevard. His loyalty sustains Norma’s imagined world and conceals its history.

Linked from 6 pages