Did Elaine Page ever return to B'way?

[David10086]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:48am

I know Elaine Page made her Broadway debut in September 1996 replacing Betty Buckley in 'Sunset Boulevard' which ran for an additional three months. I don't think there was much 'fanfare' over her debut, even though she is  highly-adored on the West End.

Has Page ever returned to Broadway since Sunset's closing? Was she well-received by critics and theater-goers in 1996?  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:50am

She was in the 2011 follies revival

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:51am

Also you might want to correct the spelling as it is Paige. :)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:51am

You know? She'd make a good Dolly!

[cliffordbradshaw2]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 3:27pm

Not Broadway, but in between "Sunset" and "Follies" Elaine Paige played Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd" for New York City Opera. 

[mar6411]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 3:33pm

This might be helpful - and a future resource

http://m.ibdb.com/person.php?id=78068

 

[10086sunset]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 8:21pm

I'll always wish that she would have come over with Piaf.

[nealb1]

Posted: 2/19/18 at 6:25pm

I saw EP in "Sweeney Todd" in 2004, as well as SB & "Follies" many times in NYC and LA.  I also saw her in "The Drowsy Chaperone" in London.  She's an incredible performer.  

[David10086]

Posted: 2/20/18 at 11:15am

I've never seen Paige live - just on Youtube and own a few of her CDs (love 'Piaf!). That said - I'm disappointed 'Piaf' never transferred to B'way. And yes - I could see her as DOLLY, but is she a name to bring in box office sales? She didn't do it for 'Sunset Boulevard'.

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 2/20/18 at 5:46pm

I can't quite remember what happened with Piaf but I recall there being some issues with the London run. I think Elaine was suffering from some sort of health issue and that might have scuppered any Broadway transfer. I don't think Piaf is a great play anyway but it is a great star vehicle. Elena Roger was thrilling in it.

I've always liked Paige but sadly her voice is not what it was and has greatly changed. By contrast, Patti sounds superb. I can't imagine Paige doing full-scale musicals in the way that LuPone is doing now.

Updated On: 2/20/18 at 05:46 PM

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 2/20/18 at 6:07pm

You know? She'd make a good Dolly!

If they mount the current revival in the West End, they should definitely use her. 

 

[lovebwy]

Posted: 2/20/18 at 10:28pm

I saw La Paige about 10 times in Follies (5 in NY, 5 in LA) and she was still in good voice at that time. But, I don't think she really "got" the song. I think maybe there's an aspect to the song that is distinctly American that I don't think she quite connected with. That said, it was a thrill to hear her belt each time I saw her. I saw Flo Lacey stand in for her one night, and I think she was under rehearsed.

I wish she'd toured the US with a concert. I would've loved to see her sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina live. And Mountain Duet. My God, that voice!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U0ujDoaeRM

 

 

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 2/21/18 at 12:35pm

lovebwy said: "I wish she'd toured the US with a concert. I would've loved to see her sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina live. And Mountain Duet. My God, that voice!!"

She actually did a quick hop, skip and jump of a tour across the USA in late February and March 2013.  I think she performed mostly in cabaret spaces with just a pianist accompanying her.

I was lucky enough to catch her concert in Pittsburgh.  If I recall correctly, the evening was almost entirely hit songs from musicals she'd been in.  Exactly what the audience wanted to hear.  She was in excellent shape vocally, and signed copies of her memoir afterwards. 

I was thrilled, since that was probably the only chance I'll have to see her perform in-person.