For Sierra Boggess, London is not simply a stop in an international career but a place woven deeply into her artistic identity. Ahead of a one‑night concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Sierra reflects on early experiences, landmark moments and the importance of shared musical experiences in uncertain times.
“I grew up in Denver, Colorado, so that’s the middle of the US. I didn’t know what Broadway was. I had no idea,” she explains, recalling a childhood far removed from the theatre capitals she would later come to define. “The first big show that I saw was a tour of Sunset Boulevard, and I was like, oh my God, that is really cool to see such a professional level of show.”
That first spark was nurtured by an influential drama teacher, someone Sierra still credits as foundational. “Those teachers are so influential, and truly, it’s the drama teachers who are the ones who take you to that next level,” she says. “She’s the one who took me to New York the first time and I saw Broadway shows and learned what Broadway was. From that, I knew, this is where I want to be.”
London entered the picture early, during a formative study‑abroad year that reshaped her ambitions. “I studied my junior year in London and that began my love affair with the city,” Sierra recalls. “My dream became to perform in the West End. It felt bigger than Broadway to us. We were kids from America and suddenly we were seeing this history, these shows, this culture.”
She vividly remembers soaking in theatre at every opportunity. “We saw Mark Rylance in Twelfth Night at the Globe for five pounds. We thought we had discovered him,” she laughs. “It was life‑changing. It felt like we were part of something historic.”
Looking back across a career that spans Broadway, the West End and beyond, Sierra acknowledges that choosing a single highlight is difficult, but there is one moment that stands apart. “Doing the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall is a core memory for me,” she says. “I remember almost everything about that night. It was the stuff of dreams, and it actually was as incredible as you would want it to be.”
Now returning to London for a concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the sense of history once again looms large. “Just the epic history of that venue,” Sierra says. “This is not a theatre I ever imagined I would do my own concert in. I revere it. I’m really honoured to be part of the history of people who have performed there.”
The timing is particularly meaningful, coinciding with significant anniversaries linked to theatrical heritage. “Knowing that My Fair Lady lived there, and that this is an anniversary year connected to Alan Jay Lerner, it makes it even more special,” she notes. “All of that history really adds weight to the night.”
Asked why now felt like the right moment to return, Sierra is characteristically honest. “London always feels like a good idea,” she says simply. “And with the 40th anniversary of Phantom happening this year, it feels cool to be here, to sing that music again, just down the road from where it’s being celebrated.”
When it comes to curating the concert itself, audience connection sits at the heart of the process. “I think about what I feel this audience wants to hear,” Sierra explains. “I know they want Phantom. I know they want Disney. I always give people what they want, and then I weave in my own stories and the songs I want to sing.”
She describes the show as a shared catch‑up rather than a performance at a distance. “It’s like, this is what I’ve been up to since you last saw me, told through song and story,” she says. “And for London, we’re curating something specific so it feels special, like you’re seeing something unique.”
That sense of intimacy is central to how Sierra approaches concerts of this kind. “I want it to feel like you’re in my living room, even though we’re in this epic theatre,” she explains. “All journeys are welcome. Come as you are, take what you need from the night.”
Behind the scenes, preparation is both meticulous and familiar. “We’re using five other musicians, so a six‑piece orchestra,” Sierra says. “My music director has been working hard on orchestrations, and once we’re in London, the real joy is making music together with these amazing West End players.”
As for London downtime, it is spent reconnecting rather than sightseeing. “My time off is seeing my London friends, my London family I call them,” she smiles. “Catching up one‑on‑one, having dinner, hearing what everyone else is doing.”
For Sierra Boggess this is a night when audiences can take a break from the outside world. “This world is tricky right now, and I acknowledge that,” Sierra reflects. “So this night is a break from all of it. A night of music, stories and community, where we put down our phones and just be together. That’s what I want people to come and experience.”
Sierra Boggess in concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 31 May 2026. Tickets are on sale here.
