Gregg Goodbrod plays Joe Gillis and Denise Whelan is Norma Desmond in Maine State Music Theatre’s production of “Sunset Boulevard.” The show opens July 18 and runs through Aug. 4.

BRUNSWICK — Maine State Music Theatre will open its production of “Sunset Boulevard,” a haunting glimpse into the power of self-deception, on Wednesday, July 18.

Silent movie star Norma Desmond longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of “talkies.” Her glamour has faded in all but her mind. When she meets Joe Gillis, a handsome struggling Hollywood screenwriter, she sees her chance to return to glory. Their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and dramatic conclusion.

A musical adaptation of the Billy Wilder film, “Sunset Boulevard” features a Tony Award–winning score from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Portraying Norma Desmond is Denise Whelan, who played the role at Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., in March. She is a familiar face among theater-goers within Philadelphia’s arts community and will be making her debut at MSMT.

MSMT veteran Gregg Goodbrod is playing Joe Gillis. He has performed many roles at MSMT over the past six years, including Jesus of Nazareth in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and Ethan in “The Full Monty.”

Other MSMT veterans  include Charis Leos, Chuck Ragsdale, Curt Dale Clark and Brian Michael Hoffman. Rounding out the cast are David Girolmo, Lauren Blackman, Courtney Romano, Theo Lencicki and Broadway veteran Bill Nabel playing famous movie director Cecil B. DeMille. The show is directed and choreographed by Marc Robin. 

“Sunset Boulevard” will run through Aug. 4 at Pickard Theater at 1 Bath Road. Tickets are $36 to $59. Call 725-8769 or visit www.msmt.org. Tickets are pay-what-you-can for both the matinee and evening performances on Friday, July 20. On that day, patrons who walk up to MSMT’s box office at Pickard Theater can pay whatever their budgets will allow for any remaining, unsold seats. The box office opens at 10 a.m. This offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets or with any other discount offers, and is subject to availability.