She’s ready for her closeup! Today, producers announced that Rashidra Scott will join the company of Sunset Blvd. as the standby for the role of Norma Desmond at the St. James Theatre starting Monday, January 20. 

Fresh off an unforgettable performance as Norma yesterday, Caroline Bowman who was the standby since opening will depart the production on Sunday, January 19 as she heads to originate the role of Karen in Smash on Broadway. 

Scott was last seen on Broadway in the Tony-winning revival of Company as Susan and has been seen in many productions including Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Sister Act, Hair, Finian’s Rainbow, and Avenue Q. 

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the current company includes Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Norma Desmond,’ Olivier Award winner Tom Francis as ‘Joe Gillis,’ Grace Hodgett Young as ‘Betty Schaefer,’ and Olivier Award winner and 2024 Olivier nominee David Thaxton as ‘Max Von Mayerling.’ Mandy Gonzalez guest stars as ‘Norma Desmond’ at select performances. 

They are joined by ensemble members Olivia Lacie Andrews as ‘Nancy,’ Brandon Mel Borkowsky as ‘John,’ Shavey Brown as ‘Finance Man/Stan/DeMille,’ Hannah Yun Chamberlain as ‘Young Norma,’ Cydney Clark as ‘Joanna/Guard,’ Raúl Contreras as ‘Finance Man/Frank,’ Tyler Davis as ‘Sheldrake,’ E.J. Hamilton as ‘Lisa,’ Sydney Jones as ‘Dorothy,’ Emma Lloyd as ‘Mary/Heather,’ Pierre Marais as ‘Sammy,’ Shayna McPherson as ‘Camera Operator/Katherine,’ Jimin Moon as ‘Morino/Hog Eye,’ Justice Moore as ‘Jean,’ Drew Redington as ‘Myron/Jones/Camera Operator,’ and Diego Andres Rodriguez ‘Artie.’ Swings for the production are Giuseppe Bausilio (dance captain), Kristina Garvida Doucette (assistant dance captain), Brandon LaVar, Maggie Likcani, Abby Matsusaka, Georgia Monroe, and Rixey Terry. 

‍Sunset Blvd. continues eight performances a week at the St. James Theatre.

The Broadhurst Theatre is where I wanna be! This morning, producers of BOOP! The Musical announced the full cast who will originate the new musical when it starts previews on March 11, 2025 before an official opening night on April 5 at the Broadhurst. 

The principal cast of BOOP!, who received critical acclaim in the Chicago pre-Broadway run last year, is headed by Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop and Tony Award-winner Faith Prince as Valentina, Ainsley Melham as Dwayne, Erich Bergen as Raymond, Stephen DeRosa as Grampy, Anastacia McCleskey as Carol, Angelica Hale as Trisha, Phillip Huber (Pudgy the Dog), and Aubie Merrylees as Oscar. 

The company also includes Lawrence Alexander, Courtney Arango, Colin Bradbur, Tristen Buettel, Joshua Michael Burrage, Victoria Byrd, Dan Castiglione, Rebecca Corrigan, Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald, RJ Higton, Nina Lafarga, Morgan McGhee, Ryah Nixon, Christian Probst, Ricky Schroeder, Gabriella Sorrentino, Derek Jordan Taylor, Lizzy Tucker, Amy Van Norstrand, Damani Van Rensalier, and David Wright Jr..

“The joy this cast has brought to BOOP! The Musical is infectious. BOOP! is filled with some of the greatest dancers, singers and actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with on a new original musical. We had a blast bringing BOOP! to the stage in Chicago and I can’t wait for audiences to see this original Broadway Cast go Fullout,” said director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. 

For almost a century, Betty Boop, created by animation pioneer Max Fleischer, has won hearts and inspired fans around the world with her trademark looks, voice, and style. Now, in BOOP! The Musical, Betty's dream of an ordinary day off from the super-celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to an extraordinary adventure of color, music, and finding love in New York City — one that reminds her and the world, “You are capable of amazing things.”

It appears the current Atlantic Theater productions of Grief Camp and I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan are postponed due to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) calling for a strike against the Atlantic Theater Company. 

An Atlantic Theater Company spokesperson issued the following statement: 

“Atlantic has been working together diligently with IATSE for months to create a fair contract for our crew workers and we have offered a good faith agreement with nearly a 20% increase in wages and other benefits. Recognizing how long a first contract can take, Atlantic offered two interim agreements over the past two months that included 13% increases in wages and health, effective immediately in return for a no strike agreement while we continue to bargain in good faith. Both of these offers were ignored.

We believe equity on our stage is crucial and our offer aligns with our contract with Actors’ Equity Association. IATSE believes this is unacceptable and wants more. In addition, the union is attempting to expand its work jurisdiction beyond the theatrical productions.

The world of Off-Broadway theater is quickly changing: many not-for-profits are doing shorter seasons and choosing plays with smaller casts, press coverage that can boost tickets sales is never guaranteed, advertising costs continue to rise, and production costs have nearly doubled since the pandemic. Most of Off-Broadway is facing a precarious financial situation, running significant deficits since returning from Covid. If IATSE is successful in getting their proposed financials with Atlantic, it would set a precedent for other Off-Broadway companies and we may see the demise of some of our greatest institutions, including Atlantic.  

Atlantic is pro-union and works collaboratively with several other unions, but we have to make this agreement financially sustainable for everyone or we will not be around to offer any work to anyone. Our hope is that IATSE will reconsider the stance it is taking and work with us to reach a fair contract for our production crew quickly."

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.