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Broadway Debut: ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Star Grace Hodgett Young’s Unique Journey to the Stage
Grace Hodgett Young, the acclaimed actress currently starring in “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway, experienced an unusual start to her theatrical journey. Remarkably, Young made her Broadway debut in the hit musical before ever having the chance to see a Broadway show as an audience member.
After dedicating five months to performing six shows per week in what The Post hailed as “Broadway’s most exhilarating show in years,” Young finally had the opportunity to witness the magic of the Great White Way from the other side of the curtain.
“I know, it’s wild… I still can’t believe my first time on Broadway was actually before I had even seen a Broadway production,” Young, aged 22, shared with The Post.
“I attended my first show, ‘Smash,’ just last Monday.”
Hailing from Nottingham, England, Young described feeling “absolutely inspired” by this quintessential New York City moment.
“Taking an evening to experience live theater is just so incredibly exciting,” she enthusiastically expressed.
From West End to Broadway: A Transatlantic Leap
Her move to Gotham to take on the principal role of Betty Schaefer in “Sunset Boulevard”—a character described as an aspiring writer determined to succeed in Hollywood—marked her first foray into New York City, and indeed, the United States. She admitted to feeling “absolutely terrified” initially.
“I was definitely freaking out, I won’t deny it… I wasn’t sure what to anticipate because I never really imagined this job would bring me to New York. It just seemed so unreal,” explained Young, whose initial professional role was also in “Sunset Boulevard,” but in London’s prestigious West End.
“So, actually being here now feels surreal.”
Navigating New York Life: From Hell’s Kitchen to the Stage
For the duration of the show’s run at the St. James Theatre, scheduled until July 13th, Young is residing in Hell’s Kitchen. She noted that adapting to the “constant stream of traffic” outside her apartment window was the biggest adjustment.
“I’ve spoken to other cast members, and apparently the street visible from my window is notoriously known for its heavy traffic,” she remarked.
“Every single day, without fail, it’s completely jammed with vehicles, and people are constantly honking their horns as if there’s somewhere to go, even though there really isn’t.”
Olivier Nominee Shines in “Sunset Boulevard”
Critics have lauded Young’s “strong” performance as Betty—who finds herself entangled in a complex love triangle with fellow writer Joe Gillis, portrayed by Tom Francis, and seasoned Hollywood actress Norma Desmond, played by former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.
Young was employed as a waitress at a London establishment called Skylight when she initially auditioned for a smaller ensemble part.
However, director Jamie Lloyd was deeply impressed by her talent and inquired if she could audition for the role of Betty the following day—a role that ultimately earned her an Olivier Award nomination, the British equivalent of a Tony Award.
“I said, ‘Yes,’ even though I actually wasn’t [available] because I had a shift at the bar,” she recalled with a laugh.
From Bartending to Broadway Stardom
The evening before the crucial audition, she had to master two songs from the show, composed by the renowned Andrew Lloyd Webber. On the morning of the audition, “they taught me a few more songs around 11 a.m., and then I had to return at 2 p.m. and perform them,” she recounted.
Young received the life-changing call confirming she had landed the role while commuting home on the bus after a 12-hour shift at the bar, where she was on the verge of being promoted to bartender.
“I was actually in the training phase to work behind the bar. But after receiving that call, I immediately contacted my manager and said, ‘I got a job. I have to leave.'”