We are bouncing with excitement about our upcoming production of Sunset Boulevard, starring Janet Ferreri, Trey Lundquist, and Jim Ansart. Directed by Kevin Mark Kline, with musical direction by Steven Bergman, the smash hit comes from the inimitable Andrew Lloyd Webber, with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.
Show dates are March 3–5, 10–12 and 17–19, with the usual 8 PM show time on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 PM on Sundays. Reserve your tickets now.
- Audience members can walk the red carpet, snap a selfie in the lobby, and enjoy a champagne reception on opening night.
- A talk-back with the cast is scheduled after the March 5 matinee.
- An open dress rehearsal for seniors and high school students is on Thursday, March 2, at 7:30 PM.
Based on Billy Wilder’s Academy Award-winning 1950 movie of the same title, the plot revolves around Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent screen era, living in the past in her decaying mansion on the famous Los Angeles street. When young screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees in him an opportunity to make her comeback to the big screen, while Joe sees it as an opportunity to make some money freeloading off the rich, but now delusional, movie star.
Filled with both romance and tragedy, the musical won Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Musical Score when it opened on Broadway, and has been performed in ten countries and on four continents.
AFD Theatre is never daunted by a challenge and has gathered together a stellar production team. Kevin Mark Kline is directing this show, which has been on his bucket list for a long time.
Music direction is by Steven Bergman–if you came to the movie screening event at the Regent Theatre, you know he is doing a great job bringing out the talents of our excellent cast. Gareth Williams has co-designed the set with Kevin, and is set tech as well. Jack Rosenbaum is a third set co-designer and has contributed exceptional scenic painting and posters.
Lindsay Hurley is designing costumes, while Deanna DiScullo Lander makes a welcome return to AFD after a long absence to do hair and makeup.
On the tech side, Iain Bason is designing lights. Tom Powers, who usually designs sound out in the far western suburbs, is trekking into Arlington because this is one of his favorite musicals, too.
Cyn Marsden is designing the projections, which is a very creative and essential part of pulling off this production on a small stage. Judy Weinberg is doing a stellar job running all over the area finding period props. Ginger Webb and Margie Hilton are co- production managers, while Robin D. Liberty serves as stage manager extraordinaire.
On the cast side, we are absolutely delighted that Janet Ferreri returns to the AFD stage to channel the diva Norma Desmond. Trey Lundquist is making his AFD debut as Joe Gillis following recent work with Riverside Theatre Works, Cohasset Dramatic Club, and MMAS Blackbox Theater.
Jim Ansart plays the enigmatic Max von Mayerling, Heather Hannon Rufo plays Betty Schaefer, and longtime AFD member Charlie Carr plays Cecil B. DeMille. Other cast members include Corrine Apostolides, Paul E. Dingman, Dilara Eynula, Timothy Gravely, Patrick Harris, Ira Kantor, Adam Kaplowitz, Alexis Kirkpatrick, Adina Lundquist, Robert McCall, Emily Morris, Nick Stevens, and Lisa Tierney.
Arlington Friends of the Drama 