Sarah Brightman-Led Sunset Boulevard Will Play Asia in 2025

The Phantom of the Opera's Sarah Brightman, currently heading the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the Sydney Opera House following a spring engagement at Melbourne's Princess Theatre, will bring her Norma Desmond to Asia next year.

Base Entertainment Asia and GWB Entertainment in association with Opera Australia will present the Asian premiere of the Lloyd Webber musical beginning in February 2025 at Singapore's Sands Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands.

Internationally renowned soprano Brightman, who will reprise her role as the faded silent screen star, said in a statement, “I am thrilled to be making my Asian theatrical debut with Sunset Boulevard in Singapore. I have always admired Andrew’s work on this musical and look forward to delving into the incredible score and iconic character of Norma Desmond. What makes this experience even more special is that it is happening in Singapore, a city I have always cherished. So, are you ready, Singapore? Because I am ready for my close-up!”

Video: Watch Sarah Brightman Sing 'As If We Never Say Goodbye' in Australia's Sunset Boulevard Revival

This production—directed by Paul Warwick Griffin with set and costume design by Morgan Large, choreography by Ashley Wallen, and musical supervision by Kristen Blodgette—premiered at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre May 29 and continues in Sydney through November 1. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public September 16. Click here for more information.

Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard (with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton) is based on the 1950 Billy Wilder movie of the same name, which featured Gloria Swanson as the reclusive Norma Desmond who falls in love with an unlucky writer—Joe Gillis—who happens upon her home by accident. William Holden played Gillis in the film, which was directed by the late Billy Wilder. Swanson, Holden, and Wilder all received Academy Award nominations for their work.

Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone created the role of Norma Desmond for the musical's world-premiere production in London, earning an Olivier nomination for her performance. Glenn Close played the role in Los Angeles and later in New York, where she won a Tony Award for her work as the aging actor. Other musical Normas include Tony winner Betty Buckley (London and New York), Olivier winner Elaine Paige (London and New York), Tony winner Diahann Carroll (Canada), Petula Clark (London and U.S. tour), Debra Byrne (Australia), Helen Schneider (Germany), and Linda Balgord (U.S. tour). After bringing her Norma to London, Close starred in the 2017 Broadway revival of Sunset, while Tony winner Stephanie J. Block played Norma in a production at the Kennedy Center.

Jamie Lloyd's minimalist production, starring Nicole Scherzinger, arrives on Broadway in the fall.