In the early 1960s, Stephen Sondheim outlined a musical stage adaptation and went so far as to compose the first scene with librettist Burt Shevelove. A chance encounter with Billy Wilder at a cocktail party gave Sondheim the opportunity to introduce himself and ask the original film's co-screenwriter and director his opinion of the project. "You can't write a musical about Sunset Boulevard," Wilder responded, "it has to be an opera. After all, it's about a dethroned queen." Sondheim immediately aborted his plans. A few years later, when he was invited by Hal Prince to write the score for a film remake starring Angela Lansbury as a fading musical comedienne rather than a silent film star, Sondheim declined, citing his conversation with Wilder.
For many years, Lloyd Webber kicked around the idea of a musical version of Sunset Boulevard focusing on "the moment when Norma Desmond returns to Paramount Studios." He finally obtained the rights from Paramount and attracted Hampton and then Black to the project. After Aspects of Love had been produced in 1989, the team set to work on the new musical. A tryout at the Sydmonton Festival followed in 1992.
For many years, Lloyd Webber kicked around the idea of a musical version of Sunset Boulevard focusing on "the moment when Norma Desmond returns to Paramount Studios." He finally obtained the rights from Paramount and attracted Hampton and then Black to the project. After Aspects of Love had been produced in 1989, the team set to work on the new musical. A tryout at the Sydmonton Festival followed in 1992.
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