Sunset Blvd. has made a splash on Broadway following its Olivier Award-winning run in London’s West End. In a cast led by Nicole Scherzinger, David Thaxton made the leap across the pond with her and fellow leading castmates Tom Francis and Grace Hodgett Young.
Now making his Broadway debut as Norma Desmond’s mysterious butler Max, Thaxton spoke with Broadway Direct about the two Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals that inspired him as a child, the innovative Sunset Blvd. now playing on Broadway, and his favorite NYC spot.
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
I always loved it as a child and was really into drama growing up. I can think of two things that stayed with me early on and really made me want to explore things more – the 1997 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Lyceum [in London] and seeing Sunset Blvd. in New York in 1996. Ironically I would say those two shows and the productions we did [JCS at Regents Park and now Sunset] have been the most successful ones I’ve done…!
2. Who in your field inspires you?
I’ve always found making new work the most exciting and creatively inspiring things I’ve done. Getting to work with directors like Jamie Lloyd and Tim Sheader, designers like Tom Scutt and Chris Oram, musical directors like Tom Deering and Alan Williams, are the things I’ve always loved the most.
3. What should audiences be most excited about seeing in Sunset Blvd.?
I think it’s genuinely innovative in so many ways. There is so much depth to the production. It’s funny and horrible and moving and thrilling. And the use of the tech is amazing.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
I find sleeping here very hard so I’d probably be doubling down trying to get some!
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
I’m a big Mets fan and there’s a fantastic Mets bar in the East Village called Standings, that’s way up there.