Sunset Boulevard, Eisenhower Theatre, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
Stephanie J. Block as Norma with members of the ensemble in the Kennedy Center's Broadway Center Stage production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard . Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel. The latest Broadway Center Stage (BCS) production at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard , which was well-received during its all-too-brief eight-day, 10-performance run. Whenever critics compile lists of the best films of all-time, director/co-writer Billy Wilder’s 1950 masterpiece, “Sunset Boulevard,” is almost always on the list, and for good reason. Its story of a faded film star trying to reclaim some of her former glory has elements of tragedy, dark comedy, romance, mystery, and suspense. The musical generally follows the plot of the film. For those who are unfamiliar, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter, Joe Gillis, frustrated by a lack of work (and income), is being followed by loan sharks eager to repossess his car. Escaping them,...