The Tony-winning musical about former silent screen star Norma Desmond will begin previews at the Marriott Sept. 9 with an official opening Sept. 15. Directed by Joe Leonardo with musical direction by Kevin Stites, the production, based on the classic 1950 film of the same name, will conclude its run Nov. 7.

Paula Scrofano, who has graced the Marriott Theatre stage for more than two decades in such shows as Victor/Victoria, The Phantom of the Opera and Damn Yankees, will play the deluded Norma Desmond with Matt Farnsworth as the ill-fated screenwriter Joe Gillis, John Reeger as Desmond's beloved butler Max and Heidi Kettenring as the innocent Betty Schaefer. The company comprises Rodger Anderson, Cheryl Avery, Bobbie Bagby, Jeff Dumas, Angela Feeney, David Girolmo, James Harms, Jeff Kuhl, Catherine Lord, Susie McMonagle, Susan Moniz, Jeff Parker, Bob Pries, Jonathan Raviv, Rod Thomas, George Andrew Wolf and Daniel Zakarija.

The creative team for Sunset also includes Thomas M. Ryan (set designer), Nancy Missimi (costume designer), Diane Ferry Williams (lighting designer), John Boesche (projection designer), Jenny Fague (properties designer) and Cecil Avertt (sound designer).

The 1950 film "Sunset Boulevard," directed by Billy Wilder, concerned an out- of-work screenwriter named Joe Gillis who happens upon the home of former silent-screen star Norma Desmond. William Holden and Gloria Swanson starred in the film, which won three Academy Awards. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's musical version debuted in London with Patti LuPone as Norma. Other Normas included Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige, Glenn Close, Diahann Carroll, Petula Clark, Helen Schneider, Linda Balgord and Debra Byrne.

Sunset Boulevard will play Wednesdays at 1 and 8 PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 5 and 8:30 PM and Sundays at 1 and 5 PM. Tickets, priced at $40, are available by calling (847) 634-0200. Visit www.marriotttheatre.com for more information.