Is Sunset Boulevard on Broadway Appropriate For Kids

After watching Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, I turned to my oldest daughter and said, “That was art at the highest level.” Sunset Boulevard seemed more than a Broadway show. Watching it made me feel as though I was a part of some immersive art experience. Like most Broadway shows, the performers put on an amazing show, displaying exceptional talent. The giant screen, lights, and bare stage take you on a theatrical journey that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Sunset Boulevard is about an aging silent film star, Norma, believing she still has what it takes to be the biggest attraction in the world. Norma meets Joe Gillis, a down on his luck screen writer and the two form a relationship. Joe must decide whether to sell out himself and his friends and ride the ride with Norma, or choose love and friendship.

There are no sets in the show and a giant screen hovers behind the performers. I’m usually not a fan of using screens during a musical performance, because I feel it takes away from some performers who are dancing and singing, but might not be seen on the screen. However, Sunset Boulevard pulls off the task masterfully. In one scene, a camera follows Joe from the theater to the street, where he walks along 44th Street while singing and continues to follow him as he makes his way back to the theater and onto the stage. It’s a wild scene. I couldn’t help but think of all the things that could go wrong in producing the scene.

Let’s get into why you are probably reading this story. Is Sunset Boulevard on Broadway appropriate for kids?

Kids under 5 are not allowed, and it is suggested for kids 12 and up. There’s murder, self-harm, and violence. There are a few swear words, but not many. Some dances have sexual moments, but no sex or nudity is shown. The actor playing Joe can be seen in his underwear in two scenes.

I would have no problem letting my 9-year-old see the show, because nothing is gratuitous and makes sense. The scene that includes self-harm shows the actress after the moment it happens, but it is still an intense scene. The murder scene takes places with strobe effect and may upset sensitive viewers.

If you regularly take your kids to see Broadway shows, then your child might be okay seeing Sunset Boulevard. Talk to them beforehand about what the show is about and what they will see on stage. If your child is sensitive to staged violence, then maybe see it first.

I’m thankful I saw Sunset Boulevard, but it isn’t a show that I’ll see again and again. I will sing its praises for years and it stands out as one of the most interesting shows I’ve ever seen.

The show runs for 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Check out these other Broadway reviews:
Chicago
The Notebook Musical
Moulin Rouge
Book of Mormon
Kinky Boots
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Six on Broadway
Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
Big Fish
Grug at the New Victory Theater
MJ the Musical
Sunset Boulevard

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