DMTC - Character Descriptions

Character Descriptions

Sunset Blvd.

Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 7:30pm
or
Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:30pm

Callbacks: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 7:30pm

Directed by Steve Isaacson
Choreographed by Kelly Lynn Jordan
Musical direction by Kyle Jackson

Opens Friday, September 5, 2025

Plot Synopsis

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s brilliant take of the 1950 movie, that is both haunting and desperately sad Hollywood, 1949. Forgotten silent film-era star Norma Desmond longs to return to the silver screen. Holed away in her decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard, Desmond lures handsome, struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis into her orbit, seeking someone to pen a movie that will fulfill her fantasy of a big-screen comeback. Norma grandly sweeps down the stairs to the waiting police, declaring, “And now, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up." Recommended for ages 13 & up

All Roles Open

Role	Description
Norma Desmond	Melodramatic diva, delusional, suicidal, believes that she is a star but is tragically, forgotten. Leading Lady
Joe Gillis	Man who is a focused writer questions his future after he begins working for a delusional diva. Stands his ground on what he believes in, sensible.
Max Von Mayerling	Butler, adding to Norma’s delusion, his life has revolved around her and he has made Norma believe she is still loved by many with fake fan mail. Loyal Gentleman, antagonist (because he leads Norma on)
Betty Schaefer	Determined to make Joe’s script for a new movie a hit. Is engaged to Artie but falls in love with Joe. Smart, young, beautiful, lively. Young Woman In Charge, also Ingenue type
Cecil B. DeMille	A director who shows sympathy for Norma. Kind, a man in charge. Teddy Bear but cannot do the hard thing and tell Norma that she is not going to get a movie. Successful, admired
Artie Green	Assistant director. Supporting character, engaged to Betty, friends with Joe. Ambitious Gentleman type
Mr. Sheldrake	Supporting Character. Featured role Boss Man type
Ensemble	Large Ensemble of either gender, singers dancers

Role

Description

Norma Desmond

Melodramatic diva, delusional, suicidal, believes that she is a star but is tragically, forgotten. Leading Lady

Joe Gillis

Man who is a focused writer questions his future after he begins working for a delusional diva. Stands his ground on what he believes in, sensible.

Max Von Mayerling

Butler, adding to Norma’s delusion, his life has revolved around her and he has made Norma believe she is still loved by many with fake fan mail. Loyal Gentleman, antagonist (because he leads Norma on)

Betty Schaefer

Determined to make Joe’s script for a new movie a hit. Is engaged to Artie but falls in love with Joe. Smart, young, beautiful, lively. Young Woman In Charge, also Ingenue type

Cecil B. DeMille

A director who shows sympathy for Norma. Kind, a man in charge. Teddy Bear but cannot do the hard thing and tell Norma that she is not going to get a movie. Successful, admired

Artie Green

Assistant director. Supporting character, engaged to Betty, friends with Joe. Ambitious Gentleman type

Mr. Sheldrake

Supporting Character. Featured role Boss Man type

Ensemble

Large Ensemble of either gender, singers dancers