OMG - can you imagine if Buckley took over after Close? WOW! I'm telling you - there was no need to close the revival after just a few months. I know the Palace was earmarked for 'Spongebob' but still - this could've easily transferred to another venue.
2017 was one of my most memorable summers visiting B'way: "Sunset" in June, "Comet" in July, and "Dolly" in September.
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: " ALW's move was an attempt to show the world that Sunset wasn't "just" The Glenn Close Show. "
I agree 100% with you on this. With Close leaving in three months , this was his opportunity to tell the world his musical could stand on it's own, whether Close was in it or not. What better time than taking advantage of the fact that Close was on a two week vacation ? He had to keep selling tickets -
ArtMan said: "Reading that, she really dissed her understudy. She should have kept her out of it and focused only on ALW."
I don't know if she could focus on ALW without mentioning Mason, as his praise for Mason is what really stoked the fire in her. I think she wanted to make it clear she - no one else - is Norma Desmond.
In the other thread, I mentioned some of the original newspaper clippings I still have from when "Sunset Boulevard" played Broadway in 1994 -97. One of them is the DAILY NEWS cover story from Tuesday, April 4, 1995 titled "Bullets Over B'way : Actress Glenn Close throws a fit after producer questions her popularity".
What sparked the fury was when Close read a letter ALW penned to the cast and crew apologizing for report
bdn223 said: "Stephen75 said: "I imagine they are going for a queer-themed production of this show, between the casting and the artwork. It seems very pointed. Not to imply that Izzard or Everett aren't good enough for it, but it does seem like their is a very specific vision for this production/the dynamic of George and Martha."
I agree in the casting of Izzard, Everrett and Tovey, but isn't there a bigger gay/queer name to play George. Cough*Na
As I've said before, the 2017 revival was incredible (almost on par with "Hello Dolly" and was definitely short-changed. Though I appreciate the simplified staging, I think it deserved more set decoration (maybe not as elaborate as 1994, but something more). It also deserved a cast recording, as we've pointed out. Most importantly, with or without a more elaborate set, it deserved a lo
Wow - so much great info on Walker! Thank you all for the memories...I'm going to do some extensive research on what's available by her (lucky for me I work in a library - so no excuse!).
Thanks everyone for the information! I was wondering if she was another 'Faye Dunaway' and didn't know how to behave with others and play nicely.
As for SUNSET, I've heard from many she was the best Norma Desmond. Both acting and singing (though I don't like her cast recording). I wish ALW would have brought her to B'way after Buckley - would have loved to have seen her.
I'm glad I got to see Close in the revival (saw Buckley in 1996). It's too bad that it was for a limited engagement - this was a revival which certainly could have run for at least two years or so, with the right actress in the lead. It would've built more momentum for the planned movie (which is to start filming next month - we'll see...)
I was just reading up on actress DIahann Carroll's stage work, and it said that she was originally cast as Ethel (opposite James Earl Jones) in the 2005 revival at the Cort Theater, but was replaced by Leslie Uggams before opening night.
In 2015, Carroll was cast as Lena in the revival of 'A Raisin In The Sun' (starring Denzel Washington) but was replaced once again before it opened - this time by LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
AEA AGMA SM said: "wiggum2 said: " I'm not familiar with that story! Anyone know any details?"
It wasn't so much that he praised her understudy, but the claim was that her name was not having any effect on ticket sales and the strength of them was due to the show alone. I can't remember if they tried to pad the numbers while she was out on that vacation, but it became clear that, at least at that point, the show did need true star power
Yes, I'm wondering if she could have sang the score of GYPSY, but I think she would have been one of the most dynamic actresses ever to step into the role.
When the show opened on Broadway, I bought the USA TODAY, NY TIMES, and WSJ just to read the reviews. I cut them out and saved them in my oversized 'Sunset Boulevard' book. I was looking at the clippings, and USA TODAY was a tepid review (they liked Close but not the musical), NYT liked it, and WSJ headlined their review with "Andrew Lloyd's Masterpiece".
I also kept the NY POST cover story 'Bullets Over Broadway' when
Though not as great as "Funny Girl", the sequel "Funny Lady" is a 'good sequel' to the original. By no means 'great' nor 'fantastic', but 'good' - Streisand is very entertaining and the Kander & Ebb score is wonderful.
I've always wondered why they called the LuPone recording the "World Premiere Recording" and not 'Original London Cast Recording' ? Most every cast recording I own either says 'London Cast' or 'Broadway Cast'....which makes me wonder why the Close recording is the 'American Premiere Recording' ? LOL
I must say, I don't enjoy Diahann Carroll's recording - though I've heard / read many testimonials that her performan
Oh wow! Now I want to listen to her cast recording of 'On the Town' and 'Do Re Mi' (if that one exists) !
I wonder if she would have made a good / decent / great 'Mama Rose' in GYPSY, either the 1974 or 1989 revivals? Not to open the revivals, but to replace Angela Lansbury or Tyne Daly.
Highland Guy said: "David10086 said: "I do remember reading an article years agowhere itsaid she had auditioned for the role of Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl', and was one of the finalists (along with Streisand). However, she ended up losing the role because of her diminutive height (4' 11", and she looked 'lost' among the other cast members."
carnzee said: " Regarding Kevin Anderson, I believe Patti eludes to him having his own difficulties with the production, but she was uncharacteristically mum as to what those might have been."
Yes, she hints that he was not having a good time with SB in London during his run, and he had his problems with ALW - but doesn't really get into it. I've heard her say this in interviews, too - she says 'that's his story to tell' and doe
and was definitely short-changed. Though I appreciate the simplified staging, I think it deserved more set decoration (maybe not as elaborate as 1994, but something more). It also deserved a cast recording, as we've pointed out. Most importantly, with or without a more elaborate set, it deserved a lo
