PCS artistic director Chris Coleman helms the musical that features Mugleston in the central role of fading silent film star Norma Desmond. Sunset Boulevard began previews Sept. 14 and runs through Oct. 17. The resident production boasts Anthony Powell's elaborate, Tony-nominated costumes.
Mugleston, who recently appeared on Broadway in Wonderful Town and Young Frankenstein, stars opposite Kevin Reed (Les Miserables, The Visit) as Joe Gillis. Larry Daggett (Ragtime) is Max von Meyerling, and Sarah Stevens (Sweeney Todd) is Betty Schaefer.
The Sunset cast also features Leif Norby, Courtney Freed, Michael Brian Dunn, Jessica Lisa Elovsson, Tony Falcon, Lisa Karlin, Robert Andrew Koutras, Emily Leonard, Paul Louis Lessard, Lindsay Luppino, Jeffrey Pew, Kurt Raimer, Robert Stoeckle and Tracy J. Wholf.
Rick Lewis conducts a nine-piece orchestra. Joel Ferrell is choreographer. Sunset has scenic design by G.W. Mercier, video design by Patrick Weishampel, sound design by Casi Pacilio, lighting design by Robert Wierzel and fight direction by John Armour. The dialect coach is Mary McDonald-Lewis.
Based on the 1950 Billy Wilder film, Sunset Boulevard has a score by Lloyd Webber with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The musical premiered in London in 1993 prior to arriving on Broadway in 1994. It earned Tony Awards for Best Score, Best Book, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Actress (Glenn Close) and Best Musical.
For tickets visit PCS.org. Portland Center Stage performs at the Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 NW Eleventh Avenue in Portland, OR.
