Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread

[BroadwayConcierge]

Would love to hear reports from the final performance today!

[yaoqian]

It's now intermission, I just saw that my friend texted me before the show started that she spotted ALW passing by when entering the theater (she entered later than me and we are not sitting together)!!!!!! There's hope of him giving a speech at the end!!!!!!! Wow I'm excited :)

Everyone is just phenomenal today, the theater is filled with energy!!!! I'm Michael's fan and this is absolutely one of his best performances. Glenn still sounds a bit sick but she is doing great!! I teared up just hearing the tune of the title song during the car chase at the top of Act 1. I can't believe this is the last performance!!!! Time flies.

[WaffleOnWheels]

While awaiting reports from people on here, via twitter the show is over, and Glenn gave a speech at the curtain call.

[greenifyme2]

deleted

[chernjam]

And the rumors begin...

Glenn Close to bring Sunset to Melbourne Australia?

(If that happens, I'm convinced they will film it there as they did Love Never dies)

https://twitter.com/AndrewHeslop/status/879093156033077248

[nealb1]

Wouldn't surprise me at all if the show went to Australia - or somewhere else.  What a wonderful opportunity for all involved. 

[Robbie2]

[rayoflight104]

Robbie2 said: "

 

"

What a picture!!!

[MizMamie]

Agreed, the energy in the theater was incredible as were all of the performances! It was truly magical, unforgettable, amazing... Please enjoy this video of Glenn's speech while I collect my thoughts on the train ride home. 

https://youtu.be/lC-IxQDQNwo

[poisonivy2]

Classy speech by Glenn. 

[ArtMan]

According to the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, Glenn is starring in a new comedy pilot for Amazon.  If it is picked up, I doubt she could do both.

[castlestreet]

I loved the speech!  So sad to see this go-I'll forever be greatful I got to see it!

[Miserent]

This was my first time seeing the show, and what a memorable performance.  Wow.  Glenn Close was nothing short of magnificent and that orchestra was just stunning to listen to.  At the beginning of As If We Never Said Goodbye, as soon as the spotlight hits her and the music swells, the tears just started flowing from my eyes and there was no chance of stopping them.  What a moment.  Glenn got a lengthy standing ovation after the song.  I was in the 2nd row of the balcony and it was quite marvelous to see the entire theatre on their feet applauding while Glenn stood there, clearly overwhelmed.  Everyone around me was sniffling and wiping their eyes, which I always love to experience in a theatre.  What a thrilling, wonderful show.

[RCPanned]

Me too! One of the theatrical highlights of my life! I really wish they would do a cast recording, but at least I got to see the show.

Anyone else who was lucky to be at the last show today have any more tidbits to share?

[10086Sundays]

I wish I had been there.  I very nearly went, but would have ended up homeless from debt.  If it does go to Australia, I most certainly will.  Or maybe I'll just stay in Australia since the US has lost its mind.

That was a great speech, but the last minute when the orchestra started playing again...  Seriously, I could just sit and listen to them play on repeat for hours, even without singing.  This is one score that I can never tire of, nor will it ever fail to move me.

chernjam - It made me sad to delete my bookmark to the Sunset Ticketmaster page.

robbie2 - Do you have a link to a bigger version of that?

[TexanAddams18]

I had the privilege to be at this afternoon's performance. This was my first time ever experiencing Sunset. Glenn was spectacular. She did sound a bit hoarse during her first entrance lines which had me worried, and "With One Look" had a lot of shortened notes that she said rather than sung, but it was still very effective and her acting was on point. But once she got to Never Said Goodbye OMG....she sounded amazing, especially "I've come home....", it was so clear and strong and the crowd went wild, immediate standing ovation, and Glenn got emotional. The audience was on its feet the second the "the end" projection went up. As you can see, her speech was great, and it was awesome getting to witness the final performance. I also thought Michael Xavier did a great job as Joe. The scenes between him and Glenn were outstanding. Michael bowed down to her at the second curtain call. 

 

[MizMamie]

Ah, what an incredible few hours! I'm so glad I purchased a ticket for the final performance (back in March), but I'm also sad that I won't be able to see this fantastic show any more (today was my 6th time).

As yaoqian said, the energy in the theater was incredible and, without exception, everyone's performance was the best I had seen. I thought Glenn's singing was really excellent today; her voice was strong and she didn't have a problem hitting certain notes (this wasn't the case when I saw the show back in Feb. during previews and in early March).  "With One Look" got a lot of applause and cheering (but no standing ovation that I could see from my orchestra seat). However, "As If We Never Said Goodbye" got a much deserved and sustained standing ovation. The audience would just not sit down. Glenn actually cried during this - I could see a tear fall from her cheek and she was wiping her eyes when she finally turned & walked to Nancy Anderson's character. And oh my god, her acting!!! You could feel Norma's joy, sadness, hope, madness, fear...I don't think I've ever seen an actor portray a role so powerfully and completely. She becomes Norma Desmond.

Michael Xavier and Fred Johanson were fantastic, and Siobhan Dillon was great, as was the rest of the cast. The actor who plays the owner of the men's clothing shop went all out today, ogling Joe, making various faces, gestures, etc.  

The audience was on its feet before Glenn had hit her final note, and the applause didn't end until she began her speech. Andrew Lloyd Webber came out although he didn't say anything. 

It was quite a powerful and emotional and perfect final performance!

 

 

[greenifyme2]

[greenifyme2]

The rest of my pics here: http://imgur.com/a/aPWC9

 

 

[Robbie2]

10086Sundays said: "I wish I had been there.  I very nearly went, but would have ended up homeless from debt.  If it does go to Australia, I most certainly will.  Or maybe I'll just stay in Australia since the US has lost its mind.

That was a great speech, but the last minute when the orchestra started playing again...  Seriously, I could just sit and listen to them play on repeat for hours, even without singing.  This is one score that I can never tire of, nor will it ever fail to move me.

chernjam - It made me sad to delete my bookmark to the Sunset Ticketmaster page.

robbie2 - Do you have a link to a bigger version of that?

 

"

 

[greenifyme2]

To add to the reports from today: There was quite a buzz at intermission and that's when I finally spotted ALW sitting in the 8th row aisle seat. From where I was sitting I could watch him watch the show, which was pretty crazy and I had a hard time wrapping my brain around that! Part of the reason of why I love that raised platform is glancing sideways and being able to watch the audience watch the show.

The "best part" for me was watching the cast watch Glenn sing "As if we never said Goodbye". Some of them were legit tearing up and the smiles on their faces today were not acting at all.

It was really nice of Glenn to come to the stage door and sign autographs. She didn't have to do that but it was much appreciated. From what I witnessed she didn't talk to the crowd much, just signed and moved on, but I thanked her profusely anyway. One guy asked to shake her hand and she did.

Two thumbs up. What a way to end this theater season.

[10086sunset]

Been wanting to say that Michael Xavier has really grown into this role. Watching last night, he seemed so more relaxed and comfortable in the role. 

Watching his transformation from the first preview has been a true pleasure. 

The Michael Xavier I saw last night should have been nominated for a Tony

[chernjam]

10086sunset said: "Been wanting to say that Michael Xavier has really grown into this role. Watching last night, he seemed so more relaxed and comfortable in the role. 

Watching his transformation from the first preview has been a true pleasure. 

The Michael Xavier I saw last night should have been nominated for a Tony

 

"

I felt the same way last week 10086..  Michael has far surpassed any other Joe Gillis I had heard or seen before.  The acting choices and portrayals of Joe and Norma really moved me...Norma so much more vulnerable, Joe more cyncial but empathetic while also being manipulative - it's a rough combo to pull off.

I really hope Australia happens...  Just because Glenn is doing the Netflix show, doesnt mean she's tied up forever..  And I would suspect that economically it must be easier to film and release it from there then if they had tried to do it here

Thanks so much for sharing your reports everyone...  Sounds like an amazing day

[mikem]

It sounds like it was a great final performance!  Glad to see Glenn Close and Michael Xavier decided to do the stage door thing after the final show.  I think they had both stopped doing it for a while.  Did Andrew Lloyd Webber sign for people as well?

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

mikem said: "...Did Andrew Lloyd Webber sign for people as well?"

No. He sort of side waved and quickly left.

 

I have a bunch of pictures of his bald spot I can post from before the show started. I was seated a few rows behind him.

 

I also looked at greenifyme2's pictures--I think you were standing next to me at the stage door (as some photographer tried to push me over)

[chernjam]

just got to watch Glenn's speech that someone kindly recorded and shared on here.  Wow - that was fantastic.  And so grateful that she was so gracious to ALW.  Hopefully he's found this revival as "healing" for him as it was for Glenn - particularly in comparison to all the drama in the original production.  Has to be gratifying for him to have seen how well it was received on both continents and not because of the stage craft or anything, but for the story and his music - done spectacularly by a mega-star, an exceptional cast and an amazing orchestra.

Truly will be a highlight for me for many years to come- with fingers crossed that perhaps this won't be the final bow on this production :)