Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread

[10086sunset]

jmartinez3 said: "Hi everyone... I just found and joined this site/board.  Was up pretty late reading these pages and pages on my favorite musical Sunset Boulevard - So sorry I didn't get here sooner!  I got to see this revival 3 times and now that it closed, I realize how much I love it and already miss it  

Reading all of your posts made me realize I'm not the only one who adored this.  And the speculation that perhaps they will film this in Australia - has me hopeful.

Have a great day - Joe"

Welcome to the board!

[chernjam]

Hey SB fans - so Just checked out the FB page for Sunset - some cool posts that I hadn't seen elsewhere before. Including one of the producers of the show Marc Levine sharing his farewell congrats and pics with members of the cast (found myself sending Marc a thank you note for helping to bring this to NYC) as well as other cool stuff. You might want to take a peak: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SunsetBoulevardTheMusical/community/?ref=page_internal

[chernjam]

You tube suggested this - so all the bootleg police back off - just sharing it.

Nancy Anderson - Glenn's understudy in her one performance in NY's Sunset Blvd - audio of the Finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ZnMtCNy5g

[Lot666]

chernjam said: "You tube suggested this - so all the bootleg police back off - just sharing it.

Nancy Anderson - Glenn's understudy in her one performance in NY's Sunset Blvd - audio of the Finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ZnMtCNy5g"

While I didn't generally care for Ms. Anderson's voice in this clip, I have to give her props for that final note - wow! Not only did she hit it and hold it, she sang it as "I'll be ME" rather than the usual "I'll be MAY". And that's not easy to do.

[kevinr]

I am so glad I saw this in June.  I have never seen an audience more appreciative and enthusiastic about a performer as I did in their reaction to Glenn Close......partial standing ovations mid way through the 2 "big" songs, thunderous applause at the end of the songs, applause at the end of certain lines ("I am big.  It's the pictures that got small.", and that curtain call!   Definitely a night at the theatre I will always remember!

[Emily0780]

atczwriter said: "I'd be willing to sell my magnet (after I got home and realized they told me it was a keychain). PM me and let me know!

 

 I was wondering if you had sold your magnet. if not I would be interested as I am also having the same problem finding one! Thanks!

 

"

 

[BrodyFosse123]

An excellent video does exist of this revival so God bless to the person who took a risk to do this.  I expect it should become easy to locate very soon.  I only saw portions of it so no one DM me as I don't have it.  

[CT2NYC]

BrodyFosse123 said: "An excellent video does exist of this revival so God bless to the person who took a risk to do this.  I expect it should become easy to locate very soon.  I only saw portions of it so no one DM me as I don't have it.  

It showed up on my YouTube recommendations the other day.

 

[chernjam]

BrodyFosse123 said: "An excellent video does exist of this revival so God bless to the person who took a risk to do this.  I expect it should become easy to locate very soon.  I only saw portions of it so no one DM me as I don't have it.  

"

Was pretty excited to find that myself - thanks to a kind person who had dm'd me to it's existence.  I know it's a boot so the quality is never going to be perfect... but just hearing and seeing it triggered many happy memories of seeing this live.

Still hoping that the rumor of an Australian transfer come together...

[chernjam]

While this is in german, the production looks amazing - love the voices and the fact that during the New Years scene, they were able to do the "split screen" effect that the original production had...  Definitely something amazing about seeing Norma alone with Max in the mansion while Joe and the others are celebrating New Years  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLw7L3Cdnf0&list=FLdaED2MDkugAt7fo2bjmnOQ&index=3 

[Lot666]

BrodyFosse123 said: "An excellent video does exist of this revival so God bless to the person who took a risk to do this.  I expect it should become easy to locate very soon.  I only saw portions of it so no one DM me as I don't have it."

Thank you for the heads-up!

[Robbie2]

SB '94

[Robbie2]

[chernjam]

Thanks for sharing these Robbie... 

I forgot how bad it stinks when a show you really love closes....

[SteveL2]

I agree, I've seen the whole show on YouTube and it's just great. On a side note Fred Johanson (Max) is singing songs from the shows in a church half a mile from me on Sunday night, he lives locally. London Coliseum, London Dominion Theatre for Aladdin, Palace Theatre Broadway, St Andrews Church Totteridge..... One of those might be seen a s bit of a come down but good for him, it's a charity fundraiser..

[chernjam]

SteveL2 said: "I agree, I've seen the whole show on YouTube and it's just great. On a side note Fred Johanson (Max) is singing songs from the shows in a church half a mile from me on Sunday night, he lives locally. London Coliseum, London Dominion Theatre for Aladdin, Palace Theatre Broadway, St Andrews Church Totteridge..... One of those might be seen a s bit of a come down but good for him, it's a charity fundraiser..

"

Steve - if you go, make sure you give us a report... I had heard that Johanson was heading into Phantom in Sweden (?) post - Sunset?  If you go and get to chat with him - ask him if there's any word on any future Sunset productions?

[theatreguy12]

Would have loved to see this revisit to Sunset Boulevard.  Seeing the original, pre-Broadway, in Los Angeles I have to say that I was captivated by Close.  Mesmerizing.   I know there are those who prefer the other Normas.  There are those who prefer different Joes.   There are even those who aren't real big on the music, feeling that it isn't ALW's best.

For me though, I felt that the cast was truly amazing.  Close, Campbell, Kuhn, and Hearn were outstanding.  And I thought the music was perfect for the time period and the Hollywood theme.  I'll never forget sitting in the front row, center mezzanine, when Close belted "I've come home at last...." looking toward the mezzanine/balcony.    Sent chills.

As much as I liked Campbell in the role, as well, this Xavier dude is really quite nice to look at.  Saw a clip of him singing "Sunset Boulevard" in that sunga-style swimsuit.  Then puts on the towel and drops the suit.  I don't remember Campbell doing that.

Okay, sorry.  I don't usually comment on the looks of actors rather than focusing on the material and performances, but he looked really good in that scene.

Looked like a great revisit to a great show though from the clips I've seen.  Close is brilliant.

[chernjam]

theatreguy12 said: "Would have loved to see this revisit to Sunset Boulevard.  Seeing the original, pre-Broadway, in Los Angeles I have to say that I was captivated by Close.  Mesmerizing.   I know there are those who prefer the other Normas.  There are those who prefer different Joes.   There are even those who aren't real big on the music, feeling that it isn't ALW's best.

For me though, I felt that the cast was truly amazing.  Close, Campbell, Kuhn, and Hearn were outstanding.  And I thought the music was perfect for the time period and the Hollywood theme.  I'll never forget sitting in the front row, center mezzanine, when Close belted "I've come home at last...." looking toward the mezzanine/balcony.    Sent chills.

As much as I liked Campbell in the role, as well, this Xavier dude is really quite nice to look at.  Saw a clip of him singing "Sunset Boulevard" in that sunga-style swimsuit.  Then puts on the towel and drops the suit.  I don't remember Campbell doing that.

Okay, sorry.  I don't usually comment on the looks of actors rather than focusing on the material and performances, but he looked really good in that scene.

Looked like a great revisit to a great show though from the clips I've seen.  Close is brilliant.

"

Theatreguy12 - as someone who would categorize myself a Sunset mega-fan, I'm sorry you missed this revival.  

When it was first announced Close was doing this in London, I kind of dismissed the hype as being simply Close reprising her legendary performance for the first time in the UK... when rumors of this coming to NY started, I was kind of hesitant, even disappointed it was happening (will have to re-read the 58 pages of this thread for me to see how hesitant/disappointed)  Only because I had seen the original with Close on Broadway twice - as well as each successive Norma twice (and Petula Clark on tour twice) and just thought vocally Close would disappoint...  She wasn't a roof raiser 24 years ago, how could she have improved?  And why not find another great actress who could sing for this limited run?  But of course being a mega-fan, I was going to at least go and see for myself... So I purchased tickets for the third preview - convinced that Close would probably not make it through the entire run (since she had gotten sick and missed three performances in London for a 5 week run)

I happily eat my words of hesitation and admit how wrong those concerns were.  She not only exceeded my low expectations, by intermission of the first act in that preview I was at, when I bumped into Lonnie Price the director, I said "In all sincerity this is even better than the original" - Glenn brought a vulnerability to the role that was heart-wrenching.  

Unlike the original production/performance, where she descended this majestic, breathtaking stair case, with a regal beauty of a woman who you couldn't quite tell if she was crazy, arrogant, angry --- in this production, coming down those simple stairs - you saw a woman who was hurt, disillusioned, unsure what she did, how she ended up shut out of the only world that ever made her feel truly alive - Paramount studios.   From that point on, Close's Norma took you on an emotional journey that was riveting.  That was also enabled by a stellar cast.  Xavier's Joe had a difficult tight rope to walk - he has to be desperate, manipulative but also empathetic for this to work.  And unlike Campbell, you got to see how the desperation caused the manipulation very quickly... how he sees the chance to take advantage of Norma, but also feels somewhat badly about doing it and then completely clueless by New Years.

I'm still holding out hope that this production will reunite at least one more time in Australia (that's the last rumor that's been circulating... which some in the Australian press have at least validated - that there's discussions going on) - and perhaps there will be a professionally filmed version of this to preserve a legendary production of one of ALW's best scores.

[David10086]

I have to agree - Xavier was a sight to behold, and he knew it. I do have a question - why did the show close in June? If it was doing so well financilly, why couldn't they replace Glenn Close again (if she didn't want to continue) ? I know it was always billed as a 'limited run', but wouldn't they keep it going while it was still doing great business? 

[chernjam]

David10086 said: "I have to agree - Xavier was a sight to behold, and he knew it. I do have a question - why did the show close in June? If it was doing so well financilly, why couldn't they replace Glenn Close again (if she didn't want to continue) ? I know it was always billed as a 'limited run', but wouldn't they keep it going while it was still doing great business? "

Well it was clearing about a million a week with only 7 performances per week (as opposed to the standard - but Im sure that they figured that could be quite a risk to try to find another "Norma" - the expense of rehearsing, marketing, etc. - when the summer months have not really been kind to most shows.  Probably better to stick with the original plan of closing on June 25th - rather than risk it with a steep BO decline.  As it was, it seems they didn't recoup their initial costs...  I believe they came close to it, but didn't quite make a full recoupment

[Gizmo6]

I can't tell you how excited i was when this was announced for London, as a teenager Patti's recording enthralled me I never thought the show would come back. 

 

Booked great seats at the ENO in London last April. I was disappointed. I understand Close put her back out but it never seem to take off. I love the melodrama in Patti's voice, the mania. 

I didn't like the male lead, just bla. 

So fast forward and I was very excited to catch Ria Jones who covered for Close in the new UK tour. However, some soap star from Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing with the Stars) is playing Joe, I just cannot see it. 

Our in UK are plagued with z list soap stars and tv presenters. 

[chernjam]

Gizmo6 said: "I can't tell you how excited i was when this was announced for London, as a teenager Patti's recording enthralled me I never thought the show would come back. 

 

Booked great seats at the ENO in London last April. I was disappointed. I understand Close put her back out but it never seem to take off. I love the melodrama in Patti's voice, the mania. 

I didn't like the male lead, just bla. 

So fast forward and I was very excited to catch Ria Jones who covered for Close in the new UK tour. However, some soap star from Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing with the Stars) is playing Joe, I just cannot see it. 

Our in UK are plagued with z list soap stars and tv presenters. 

"

Isn't the one Joe only for this year?   I thought I read someone else would be in 2018.   I'd go just to see Ria and a new production.  Curious to hear how they're staging it