“Sunset Blvd.” is good enough to watch from any seat in the house

Actors Theatre of Indiana’s tag line reads “Broadway in your Backyard!”

Once again, ATI has produced that level of excellence for their audience with their 2025-26 season closing production of Sunset Blvd.

The 1995 Tony Award winning musical-drama is based on Billy Wilder’s eponymous 1950 film, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book/lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. It is directed for ATI by Michael Blatt, with Music Direction by Ginger Stoltz and Choreography by Carol Worcel.

The creative staff combines their outstanding staging talents with a highly skilled cast. The result is a polished and potent retelling of the iconic Hollywood tale about faded silent-screen maven Norma Desmond’s sad and desperate hopes of regaining her place in a changing film-making world.

Judy Fitzgerald as Norma Desmond. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)

Judy Fitzgerald stars as the aging performer and brings her many talents to the fore as she is beyond spectacular in her portrayal. She absolutely demands attention as the dethroned movie queen, stirring the audience with her renditions of “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” Ms. Fitzgerald handles this very difficult role with such sharp skill – you just can’t take your eyes off of her.

Luke Weber portrays the down-on-his-luck screenwriter Joe Gillis and is a match for Ms. Fitzgerald’s talent output on every level. Trapped in an unlikely bond with Ms. Desmond, Weber’s Gillis is defiant and plain-spoken in the second-act opener – “Sunset Blvd.” – and delivers top-level vocals throughout the show.

Don Farrell makes his return to the ATI stage as Ms. Desmond’s butler and protector, Max von Mayerling. Sporting a newly shaved head for the part, Farrell gives the type of performance we are accustomed to from him, especially soaring on his deeply-felt “The Greatest Star of All.”

Deborah Mae Hill adds an important supporting role as Betty Schaefer, Gillis’ come-lately love interest, and shares a lovely rendition of “Too Much in Love to Care” with him.

Supporting cast members all fit well in their various ensemble roles and execute their vocals and Ms. Worcel’s choreography with a well-set sparkle.

In an unusual scoring style (although somewhat familiar in Webber’s catalog), the majority of lines are delivered as song. Although I wouldn’t call the musical style ‘opera,’ it approaches that genre. The result is an almost continual production of music by Ginger Stoltz’ 10-piece orchestra which is delivered with richness and power. All the players work very hard, but especially noteworthy is Ms. Stoltz’s expert turn at the keyboard which ranges from thunderous to sweet.

An ingenious scenic design by Jay Ganz allows for smooth transitions between the various locales of the story and costumes by Guy Clark are lavish where needed.

Bottom Line: Although our seats weren’t the best for this staging, that factor didn’t detract from noting that this is a very entertaining, high-level production. It really is a must-see! ATI’s second season in its new configuration has been a big success, I believe. Mrs. K and I look forward to the upcoming season of shows with great anticipation.

Sunset Blvd. continues at ATI’s Studio Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel through May 10. You can get information about the schedule and tickets by calling (317) 843-3800 or at atistage.org.

Read more great play reviews from A Seat on the Aisle at asota.wordpress.com.