Hollywood Comes To Beverly With Sunset Boulevard at NSMT!

The North Shore Music Theatre last night held its most recent opening night for it’s Fall 2019 show Sunset Boulevard. This show featured Tony® Award-winner Alice Ripley. Who brought her acting skills to the stage for the crowd’s amazement. This show is another one of Kevin P. Hill’s great productions that he continues to put together for the NSMT. Along with the help of Kyle Dixon who created some amazing sets for this production.

Upon entering the theatre for this show you will feast your eyes on an elaborate set design that can only be described as beautiful. From the beautiful stairs that you see and hear so much about in the movie. NSMT was able to recreate these with a large scale design which just wowed the crowd. They also featured a small movable car on stage which was a cool and creative things to see on the theatre in the round.

For those of you who don’t know the story of Sunset Boulevard it is the magnificent tale of Norma Desmond, a faded silent-screen goddess living in her Sunset Boulevard mansion clinging to a fantasy that audiences still long for her, but in reality they hardly remember her. When an impoverished screenwriter Joe Gillis, stumbles into her reclusive domain she persuades him to help her work on her film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras again. Seduced by her and her luxurious lifestyle he agrees.

The entire production fit perfectly into what kind of production NSMT has been able to accomplish this past year. Alex Ripley was able to fill the shoes of her role and play a great Norma Desmond along with her supporting cast who made this production marvel with the sound and the beauty of their voices. The show had a long first half but the second half was able to bring in all the excitement at the end so you were ready for the big ending which NSMT did get right.

The NSMT was able to wow the crowd with this production as they continue their amazing season of productions and with Sunset Boulevard I think you will enjoy this show for it’s classic look and feel of old broadway shows. Bill Hanney’s production team continues to make great productions and who knows what else they will have up their sleeves this season and for many more seasons to come.

Tickets for Sunset Boulevard are priced starting from $61 - $86. Kids 18 and under save 50%. $25 Student Rush tickets are available with a valid student I.D. starting one hour prior to curtain time. Prices are subject to change without notice. Phone, internet, and other fees may be applied at the time of sale. SUNSET BOULEVARD performances are September 24 – October 6, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit nsmt.org, or visit the box office at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA.

Story Covered By: Russell Crocker
Wood Media Staff

Review Written By: Mark Allen Wood
Wood Media Staff Writer/Beverly Patch Mayor