Theater is an Essential Public Good for the Preservation of Civil Society
A Personal Reflection on Broadway's Sunset Blvd
I had the incredible opportunity to see Sunset Blvd on Broadway for the second time—this time with Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, in the iconic role of Norma Desmond. As a longtime fan of this show, I’ve always been captivated by its raw power, but in this Broadway season Sunset Blvd has solidified itself as one of my top 5 favorite musicals, and that’s saying a lot!
So what makes it so special? The music, acting, and choreography are all part of it, but there are three standout elements that elevated this production to a whole new level. It reminded me just how important theater is to our society—and why it’s something we need to preserve for future generations.
Theater as a Shared Experience: Co-Creating the Moment
The magic of theater is that it’s a shared experience. You’re not just a spectator; you’re part of something larger, co-creating the energy in the room with the performers. It’s a dynamic relationship between the audience and the actors, and that’s something only live theater can offer.
One of the most powerful aspects of this production was the use of projections. They weren’t just there for scenery—they were an integral part of the storytelling. I could see every tiny facial expression, every emotion that the actors were conveying. That degree of closeness and intimacy made the audience a part of the story, and that shared experience made the performance feel more personal and impactful.
Theater as Emotional Healing: Catharsis
One of the greatest gifts of theater is its ability to provide catharsis—a concept that Aristotle introduced to describe the emotional release we experience when we witness a character go through deep struggles. The projections in Sunset Blvd served to highlight the actors' emotional pain, sorry, courage, and triumph.
Watching Nicole bring Norma to life was both overwhelming and mesmerizing. Her vocal control and commitment to the role were so authentic that I found myself struggling to contain my emotions. At one point, I was hyperventilating (yes, I was that moved 😆), but in that vulnerability, I was able to face my own uncomfortable emotions and struggles. My hope is that theater is made more accessible as a tool to help everyday people evolve through personal trials, communities heal from their sociocultural and sociopolitical divisions, and be inspired, courageous changemakers in society.
Theater as an Exploration of Humanity: The Power of Imagination
Theater lets us explore humanity through a lens of possibility. It asks us to envision not just how things are, but how they could be.
If you don't know the story, Sunset Blvd, features Norma, a woman consumed by her past and delusions of a comeback. Her obsession with fame and Hollywood serves as a powerful reminder of how easily we can get lost in past glories, missing the beauty of the present. In this case, a powerful imagination led Norma down a path of violence and murder 😆. But the greater point is that the experience of theater helps us to beware of these pitfalls in our humanity and yet still press onward with hopes of a brighter future, brighter than that of the main character. You see, Norma is not just as a fading star, but she is a person grappling with her own fears of not being wanted and of being insignificant. Theater allows us to connect with these complex aspects of ourselves, showing us that heroes and villains are simply ordinary people, struggling with the same doubts, ambitions, and insecurities that we do.
But it's our imaginations that can take us down dark paths OR inspire principled transformation both in ourselves and in the world around us.
Preserving Theater for Future Generations
The power of Sunset Blvd—from the projections to the emotional depth of the performances—reminded me of why theater is an irreplaceable part of our cultural fabric. Theater provides a rare opportunity to experience something visceral and alive—something we can’t replicate on a screen. A space for us to explore deep emotional issues, reflect on our shared humanity, and imagine better futures. Live theater connects us, challenges us, and gives us a unique way to engage with our own lives and the world. We need to preserve this public good for all generations to come.
If you haven’t seen Sunset Blvd yet, I hope you get the chance before it leaves Broadway. It’s not just a show—it’s an experience you won’t forget.
#Broadway #SunsetBlvd #Musicals #Theater #PreserveTheArts
