Cover Joanna Ampil is making a powerful return to the Philippine staging as she is set to play the role of Norma Desmond in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (Photo: Ely King)
Joanna Ampil is making a powerful return to the Philippine staging as she is set to play the role of Norma Desmond in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (Photo: Ely King)
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Sunset Boulevard makes its Manila debut in 2027, starring renowned Filipino West End actor Joanna Ampil as Norma Desmond
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed musical, Sunset Boulevard, is set to make its Philippine premiere in 2027. Produced by CueCraft Entertainment, the production will run for a strictly limited engagement from August 18 to September 12 at the Carlos P Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
Filipina theatre royalty Joanna Ampil has been officially cast to lead the Manila staging. She will take on the legendary role of Norma Desmond. Confirming her participation, the actress published a statement on her personal Instagram account, referencing one of the most recognisable lines from the story.
Read more: Joanna Ampil talks about being the first female Engineer of ‘Miss Saigon’
“I’m ready for my close-up… I’m coming home at last, Manila!” she posted.
The upcoming staging of Sunset Boulevard has a running time of two hours and 30 minutes, which includes a 15-minute intermission. CueCraft Entertainment has issued a content warning for prospective audiences, noting that the musical explores dark psychological themes alongside realistic depictions of human tragedy, specifically involving romance, manipulation and betrayal.
Tickets for Sunset Boulevard are currently available for purchase through TicketWorld, with discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities applicable.
The stage adaptation features a score by Lloyd Webber, with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. It is based on the classic 1950 film noir directed by Billy Wilder, which originally starred Gloria Swanson as the fading silent-screen star Norma Desmond and William Holden as the struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis. The story follows Desmond as she lives in a decaying Los Angeles mansion, clinging to delusions of her enduring fame. Her desperation for a cinematic comeback intertwines with a possessive and dangerous relationship with Gillis, ultimately leading to human tragedy.
Read more: Joanna Ampil takes on the role of Carlotta in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’
Above Joanna Ampil old performance of a medley of ‘As If We’ve Never Said Goodbye’ and ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Honna Tetsuji at the Hanoi Opera House
Since the musical’s world premiere in London in 1993, numerous acclaimed performers have taken on the demanding lead role. Over the decades, the complex character of Norma Desmond has been portrayed on stage by industry veterans such as Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige and Nicole Scherzinger.
The production has set specific advisories and restrictions for attendees. Due to the thematic material, the show is recommended for audiences aged 12 and above, while children under the age of five will not be permitted entry into the theatre. Furthermore, the organisers strongly encourage guests to arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the scheduled curtain time. Latecomers risk missing the opening scenes, as they will only be permitted inside the auditorium and seated during a designated, appropriate break in the performance.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
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