Just as an aside, how about Alice Ripley as Norma Desmond? She was in the original Broadway production.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Alice Ripley played Betty Schaefer, the young love interest for the male lead, not Norma Desmond. . . . and she was fine in the somewhat thankless role.
I know its all about Norma and Joe, but I wish the creators would rewrite some of the Betty stuff. The original film had all four leads getting Oscar nominations, and I noticed that the Gloria Swanson musical version (Hopefully this isn't a reading of THAT!) focused a bit more on Betty.
Was so excited to read this. Sunset is one of my favorite of all ALW - and have thought it is underrated, underappreciated and maligned by too many theatre snobs (lest people forget, it opened with a $37.5 million advance, which I believe is still the all-time record)
Anyway - I have always loved Donna Murphy. Got to see her in Passion the matinee (Sat) before she won the Tony for that. Can only imagine what she would bring to the role - A fusion of Betty Buckley's vocal powers and Glen Close's acting.
The only revision I would hope ALW would make is re-imagining the finale. As Norma descends into madness, if there was ever a scene begging for an 11 o'clock number - that would be it.
I would love for this to happen, but only if it was the original score that Patti sang, I feel as though the original music brings a great energy to Norma! It makes it for exciting for the audience
Well if it's at roundabout then maybe SJB will be the first replacement, and that will get me there in a flash. Donna isn't an exciting choice to me. I also, didn't like her witch, but love her Fosca and Anna. Maybe she'll surprise me if this comes to fruition.
Colin Donnell and Helene Yorke are perfectly cast, though I would have preferred Yorke's BULLETS co-star, Betsy Wolfe, as Betty. Still, Yorke has so much personality, which is important for a role that has the potential to be a little bland. It'd be awesome if this cast made its way into an actual revival.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I know, right? I can't think of anyone I'd rather see play Joe, just like I can't think of anyone I'd rather see as Norma.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Honestly I think Donna Murphy would be an amazing choice. Remembered seeing her in the Matinee performance before she won the Tony in Passion - and her Fosca truly haunts me... such an incredibly moving performance and voice. I also remember seeing all of the Normas on Broadway - and how Betty Buckley really brought a darkness and tragic beauty that I thought was lacking with Glen Close (who was amazing, but just so different). Just imagining Murphy is exciting.
Really would love to hear some info on how it went