Sunset Boulevard may be closing in London, New York and Vancouver, but the national tour. starring Linda Balgord, will continue to sail on.

The six-year U.S. national tour opened July 10, 1996 at the Denver Performing Arts Center, runs through Feb. 9, at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, then heads for the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. The well-received national touring company features Balgord as Norma Desmond, Lauren Kennedy as Betty, Ron Bohmer as Joe and Ed Dixon as Max. Production spokesman John Barlow denied rumors that there would be cast changes once the show comes to Chicago in March. Barlow said San Diego concludes "the first leg of the tour," with a second leg being booked.

After closing in Minnesota Feb. 9, Sunset is scheduled to move on to engagements in these cities:

Minneapolis, MN - to 2/9/97
St. Louis, MO, Fox - 2/14-3/22/97
Chicago, IL, Opera House - 3/28-6/7/97
Louisville, KY, Kentucky Center - 6/13-7/12/97
Houston, TX, Jones Hall - 7/18-8/16/97
Costa Mesa, CA, Orange County PAC - 8/23-9/27/97
Tempe, AZ, Gammage - 10/3-11/8/97
San Diego, CA, Civic - 11/14-12/13/97

--By David Lefkowitz