Norma Desmond understudy in Sunset Blvd

[NiceWork2]

I've seen Sunset twice now, the show is  fabulous, the music, Glenn Close, the staging and set, everything is fantastic.   

However, I do like seeing understudies go on in high profile roles.   Does anybody if Nancy Anderson is scheduled to go on any specific days for Glenn Close?    Does Close have any scheduled days where she has conflicts and cannot perform?  I would think this info would be listed on the website, but there may not be any scheduled days.   Close's name is listed above the title.  

[Scarywarhol]

She is not scheduled for any performances.

[Just_John]

She only missed one performance in London and the audience booed the understudy as she came on.  In London, they weren't able to get refunds or exchanges although if Close was out here, they would be.  Best thing to do is check the boards here regularly to see if she's ever going to be out and you'd be able to get a rush ticket easily. 

[imeldasturn]

Actually she missed 5 consecutive performances, but she was quite sick

[newintown]

Isn't Nancy Anderson almost young enough to be Close's granddaughter?

[Esther]

newintown said: "Isn't Nancy Anderson almost young enough to be Close's granddaughter?

 

"

31-year age difference. 

 

 

[Scarywarhol]

Closer to Norma's age...

[A Director]

Isn't the guy playing Joe young enough to be her grandson?

[qolbinau]

Your best option is cough on her at the stage door (please don't!).

[PThespian]

She only missed one performance of A Delicate Balance. 

[Bettyboy72]

Nancy will never go on. If Glenn is out the show will be cancelled due to the amount of refunds being sought. It's a technicality

[Lot666]

Just_John said: "She only missed one performance in London and the audience booed the understudy as she came on."

This so terribly rude and uncouth. Certainly, people who buy a ticket under the fair assumption that a particular actor will perform (especially in a "star vehicle" like this one) have a right to be disappointed, but there is simply no excuse for disrespecting an understudy who is suddenly thrust into the role due to unavoidable circumstances. Illness or injury of the featured performer is not a "rip-off", it's life. That understudy already knows that everyone in the house is disappointed and it doesn't help his/her performance to have the audience making rude noises and shouting their disapproval. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

From what I understand, they did not boo when Ria Jones (understudy and original Norma in workshops) came out on stage, they booed when they found out about Close's illness during the pre-show announcement. Which to me is a bit different. They also gave her a generous and positive response at the end of the show.

[QueenAlice]

I'm not sure they would cancel the performance. Glenn Close missed performances in both the original production and the London production last year and no performance was ever cancelled. 

[Scarywarhol]

They would not cancel the performance, and that's an absurd assertion to make. 

[Dave28282]

I would only visit the show if her understudy was on. 

Glenn's singing is not good enough for the role, with bothers me very much. It does not do justice to the score, famous or not.

[newintown]

Based on Close's painful vocals and over-the-top acting, I think it would make much more sense to have RuPaul (or any one of her contestants) as understudy.

[Lot666]

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "From what I understand, they did not boo when Ria Jones (understudy and original Norma in workshops) came out on stage, they booed when they found out about Close's illness during the pre-show announcement. Which to me is a bit different. They also gave her a generous and positive response at the end of the show."

Yes, it is very different to express disappointment at an announcement that "_____ will not appear tonight" than to "The role of Norma Desmond will be played by _____". The latter would simply be rude.

[adamgreer]

I haven't seen this revival of Sunset, but I remain puzzled by anyone who seems to go to this production expecting Ms. Close's vocals to blow the roof off the place.  She didn't turn into Ethel Merman during the time between the original production and this revival. 

[Lot666]

adamgreer said: "I haven't seen this revival of Sunset, but I remain puzzled by anyone who seems to go to this production expecting Ms. Close's vocals to blow the roof off the place.  She didn't turn into Ethel Merman during the time between the original production and this revival."

Great point.

 

[newintown]

"She didn't turn into Ethel Merman during the time between the original production and this revival."

I don't think she even turned into Ethel Mertz.

[QueenAlice]

This is absolutely conjecture on my part, but don't forget there is also the possibility that Glenn Close has a standby who is not billed in the program. Usually a star of this caliber in a role this size indeed has a "standby".   Contractually, standbys often choose not to be billed in the playbill. Nancy Anderson is the understudy, but if there were a standby, she would only go on as a second option.

[10086sunset]

newintown said: "Based on Close's painful vocals and over-the-top acting, I think it would make much more sense to have RuPaul (or any one of her contestants) as understudy."

Wow. This is bad newintown, even for you.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

In fact, here is a clip of said London announcement. There are others on that site from the following performances where the audience did not boo, only applauded. 

[AC126748]

QueenAlice said: "This is absolutely conjecture on my part, but don't forget there is also the possibility that Glenn Close has a standby who is not billed in the program. Usually a star of this caliber in a role this size indeed has a "standby".   Contractually, standbys often choose not to be billed in the playbill. Nancy Anderson is the understudy, but if there were a standby, she would only go on as a second option.

 

"

If Close had some secret celebrity standby, we would know by now. Or at least have heard some rumors. Nothing stays secret for long, especially in the theater community.

 

[Scarywarhol]

Nancy Anderson will go on in the event that Close calls out. That is the whole story.