Alice Ripley to play 'Norma Desmond' in NSMT's "Sunset Blvd"- Page 2

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 1:26pm

I find Ms. Ripley's pronunciation of certain words, particularly "dream", to be off-putting.

Mr Rodriguez seems to have a good voice, but they should fire his costume designer.

Mr. Michals is the standout to me.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 2:08pm

I think her casting in this production is off. I just personally don’t care for her phrasing and on top of that her voice sounds, at least in this video, very strained.

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 2:20pm

Mike Barrett said: "zainmax said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Photo Flash: Alice Ripley Stars In North Shore Music Theatre’s SUNSET BOULEVARD

She looks great! I’mreally interested the layout of the set/staging.

Performances began Tuesday, anyone see it yet?"

It looks like a staircase and some chandeliers. Nothing like the original Bway production!"

Its a local production thats being done in the round and only playing for 3 weeks, what did you expect?"

Two weeks.

[nsguy45]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 1:08pm

Saw it last evening, sitting first row on the aisle next to the staircase set which gave me an interesting perspective. All four leads were excellent, but I had minor issues with Alice's Norma. Her black wig looked like it was found at Ann Miller's estate sale. The gown she wore for the New Year's Eve scene was incredibly unflattering. She was in good voice last night, received an extended ovation after "As If We Never Said Goodbye". Rodriguez, Klemperer and Michals were very impressive. Norma's car received an ovation as they arrived at Paramount. At the curtain calls, Michals received the loudest ovation until Alice rose from the center stage elevator and received an extended standing ovation. Sad to report that there were many empty seats for a Friday evening, especially for a short run.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 2:59pm

How was the final scene staged with Joe? Is that why there is a body double or is the body double used for the opening scene?

[morosco]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 3:56pm

Norma's car received an ovation as they arrived at Paramount.

 

Isn't it weird that cars appearing onstage always tend to get a round of applause?

[nsguy45]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 4:51pm

The show opens with the body double lying dead in the pool, but then he rises and appears intermittently throughout the performance. He literally walks around stiffly in numerous scenes with a death pallor light on him. When Norma shoots the actual Joe, Rodriguez falls into the pool, which is represented by the center stage elevator.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 5:39pm

Oh. I.....hate that idea.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/28/19 at 6:32pm

Sounds similar to the young Norma used in the revival.

[bryan2]

Posted: 9/29/19 at 9:00am

seeing a young Norma as in the revival was a good effect....showed her young and beautiful...who cares what Joe looks like dead....this makes no sense to have a "dead" joe wandering around...too funny and Alice you should fire the wig maker..

[David10086]

Posted: 9/29/19 at 6:58pm

WldKingdomHM said: "I love me some Alice but she looks like she's playing Joan Collins"

 

This is exactly what I thought when I saw the video! LOL  Her performance is distracting, to say the least. I was thinking of going to see this while it's running, but the video has convinced me not to. 

Maybe they should have cast Faye Dunaway instead? I heard she is free these days...

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 9/29/19 at 7:07pm

I saw this last night, and it was incredible. I was doubtful about the body double at first, but it really worked - especially in the final scene. Alice was in excellent voice, and built the character in a natural arc through the show. The production nailed the parallels inherent in the piece without anvils. The actors playing Joe, Max, and Schaeffer were top-notch vocally and acting-wise. The ensemble was tight and sounded fantastic. I highly encourage anyone who can to see this production. I can't get it out of my head and plan to go back before the run ends.

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 9/29/19 at 7:15pm

morosco said: "Norma's car received an ovation as they arrived at Paramount.

Isn't it weird that cars appearing onstage always tend to get a round of applause?"

REALLY? I laughed when it appeared on the video. The boxy shape and obvious skate wheels under the grill just made it look a bit..... Flintstones.

[brian1973]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 6:07pm

Joe looks all wrong in this production. And too old.

that car is hilarious..I wouldn’t be applauding that arriving!

[patrickj88]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 6:47pm

I think this is perfect casting. Would love to see Alice in this role!

I'm thinking she might even be a good contender for The Devil Wears Prada musical as well

[wiggum2]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 9:19am

I enjoyed it, I like the actor who plays Joe much more than I was expecting. Seeing Alice who played Betty in the original and the excellent actress who played her here, I can not imagine Alice as Betty. I saw the 2nd to last performance on Broadway and Alice was not on that night(I think I remember reading that she let her understudy go on that night as the understudy's parents came to see her before the closing)

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 10:30am

Is there a rush policy for this???? I don’t qualify as a youth (18 and under).

Would like to check out todays Matinee...

[wiggum2]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 10:36am

It's really the shirt he wears in act 2 that is unflattering to him... it is ill fitted. He looks fine in person in the other clothes

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 11:41am

cjmclaughlin10 said: "Is there a rush policy for this???? I don’t qualify as a youth (18 and under).

Would like to check out todays Matinee... "

The website says they sell student rush with a valid ID one hour before curtain. However, last Saturday, I called the box office to inquire about rush shortly after they opened, and they sold me two excellent seats for the evening performance for $25 (plus a small fee) each right over the phone. The BO worker repeated several times that my guest and I each needed to show our student IDs at will call, but they didn't check. The BO worker was very friendly and helpful, even writing a little note on my ticket envelope. 

[nsguy45]

Posted: 10/6/19 at 8:45pm

Attended this afternoon's closing performance which was even better than when I previously saw it. The four leads gave incredible performances. A shame that others did not see this wonderful production.