Actor Tom Francis, a 2025 Tony Award nominee for his performance as Joe Gillis in the Broadway revival of Sunset Blvd., recently participated in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring music from the show.
Francis joined co-star Nicole Scherzinger, who is also nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Norma Desmond. The concert presented selections from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
The set list included Scherzinger performing "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye." Francis soloed on the title song, "Sunset Boulevard."
Both Francis and Scherzinger dueted on "The Perfect Year" during the performance. Francis also contributed guitar to the arrangement of this song.
An eight-member orchestra, led by music director Alan Williams, accompanied the vocalists. Additional musicians included Justin Rothberg on guitar, Pete Donovan on bass, Joe Nero on drums, Annaliesa Place and Philip Payton on violin, Todd Low on viola, and Sarah Hewitt-Roth on cello.
The production of Sunset Blvd. received seven Tony nominations this year, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Scherzinger, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Tom Francis.
Jamie Lloyd directed the minimalist revival, which is currently playing an extended limited engagement at the St. James Theatre through July 13.
Andrew Lloyd Webber commented on the production's recognition, stating, “I am absolutely thrilled that Jamie’s wonderful Sunset Blvd. has been so recognized at this year’s Tony Awards. This is one of the finest productions of one of my shows that I have ever seen. I am thrilled for Jamie, Nicole, Tom, and the entire team who made it possible.”
