Future Norma’s in SUNSET

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 11:21am

While I still hold our for a Glenn close film. I’m curious who would make a great Norma in future shows. I would have loved for Barbara to have taken on the role. Or Meryl. I do wonder if Lea Michele would ever. I do find it difficult to think of 20-40 year old who in the future could carry that show like Glenn or Patti or Betty did. But would love to hear suggestions or do you think this show will become lost in the past. Like miss Saigon or Jekyll and Hyde seem to 

[MysteriousLady]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 11:51am

I think Gaga in ten years would be great. If Blanchett or Tilda Swinton can sing they'd be great as well. 

[broadwayboy222]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:02pm

Carolee Carmello. Please.

As much as SJB is one of my absolute favorite Broadway belters, as as thrilling as I know she’ll sound, I can’t help but think she still reads a tad young for Norma. Wish Carolee could have done upcoming Kennedy Center staging instead. But very much hoping a regional theater will cast her in the not so distant future.  

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:11pm

Faye Dunaway? Too soon? :)

I think SJB is actually the right age. Norma isn’t supposed to be geriatric. She’s 50. Part of the shame is how Hollywood puts women out to pasture when they are still young. 
 

I’d love to see Gaga in her later years. She would nail the pathos and camp. She’d crush the score. 
 

Carolee would also be marvelous. 
 

Nancy Opel would be fantastic too. 

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:23pm

It’s interesting how everyone assumes Norma is a crazy old woman when she’s 50. It’s even mentioned in the film and in the musical. Also, every time many suggests current actresses who are well into their 40s and 50s with “in 10 years.”  LuPone, Close and even Buckley weren’t 50 when they all played the role.  Same with Mama Rose in GYPSY.  She’s supposed to be in her late 30s/early 40s.  

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:30pm

And Mame! She’s usually played as a grandmotherly figure, but she’s written in the novel as one of the first examples of what we know call the MILF archetype (then known as “college widows&rdquo.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:36pm

Gloria Swanson looked older than she was. Maybe she was a smoker. Women her age look younger now. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 12:52pm

Bettyboy72 said: "Gloria Swanson looked older than she was. Maybe she was a smoker. Women her age look younger now."

40-50 plus years ago women looked and dressed older starting in their 30s.  Gloria Swanson actually looked younger than the average woman at age 49 (when she filmed SUNSET BLVD) so lines were added to her face to age her a bit.  I flipped when I learned Bette Davis was only 41 when she played Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE.  As mentioned above, women were already considered old ladies once they past 30.  Heck, THE GOLDEN GIRLS were in their 50s when the series started!  The SEX AND THE CITY actresses are the same age (and older) than THE GOLDEN GIRLS actresses!  

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 1:14pm

Gloria Swanson, as she continued to age, looked astonishing. look at clips of her when she was in her 70s and 80s and she looks fantastic. She credited that (one of the first) to a strict health food diet.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 1:20pm

QueenAlice said: "Gloria Swanson, as she continued to age, looked astonishing. look at clips of her when she was inher 70s and 80s and she looks fantastic. She credited that (one of the first) to a strict health food diet."

Ditto for Cicely Tyson. She just got better and better looking. In her memoir she notes really only eating vegetables and occasionally fish. She rarely splurged. Her health and vitality was most important to her. 

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 11:27pm

Lauren Kennedy, who made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the original cast, is actually set to play Norma Desmond in North Carolina Theatre's production of Sunset Boulevard next year.

As for other actresses who should play it, I think Judy Kuhn would be a great choice. It would be a nice full circle moment for her since she originated the role of Betty Schaefer in the American premiere.

Updated On: 10/8/22 at 11:27 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 10/8/22 at 11:43pm

Sarah Jessica Parker.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 2:10am

Heather Headley would be stupendous 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 2:17am

The first two that popped into my mind were Carolee Carmello and Lea Salonga.

[David10086]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 1:47pm

I agree with SJP. Also, I always thought Vanessa Williams could carry it off. 
 

Maybe at 90 Joan Collins can tell ALW “Yes! I’ll take the role you offered me 25 years ago! “

[Ke3]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 2:15pm

Tag said: "Sarah Jessica Parker."

Has the voice held up? I can't remember the last time I saw her sing anywhere.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 2:26pm

Ke3 said: "Tag said: "Sarah Jessica Parker."

Has the voice held up? I can't remember the last time I saw her sing anywhere."

With all due respect to SJP, she never did possess a strong polished voice.  She CAN sing but her voice is soft and light and can muster a nice soft belt.  The score for SUNSET BLVD is not in her range, unfortunately.  She would blow her voice out at her second performance if she tried to push her voice to suit the score.  

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 4:06pm

I want Michelle Pfeiffer as Norma Desmond.

She’s aged beautifully and could probably be a more than serviceable singer

[Emma_Pillsbury]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 4:10pm

Linda Eder 

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 10/9/22 at 6:19pm

Donna Murphy

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/10/22 at 12:47am

After hearing Sarah Brightman sing several of the songs, including an Italian translation of "With One Look," I would actually love to see her in a full production. Raise the keys and let Norma become the operatic diva she was born to be.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/10/22 at 8:00am

It we are talking who amongst current leading ladies eventually be Norma and play her with the charm, gravitas, looks, camp, and that voice, I think the future is very bright. Off the top of my head - Heather Headley, Lena Hall, Shoshana Bean, Amber Grey (ugh imagine!), Cynthia Erivo, Gaga

[PennClassic]

Posted: 10/10/22 at 10:53am

Since "Sunset Boulevard" has an opera style to it, perhaps Renee Fleming might be a good choice for Norma.

Updated On: 5/4/23 at 10:53 AM

[Alessio2]

Posted: 10/10/22 at 3:32pm

I know she is way too young right now but Cynthia Erivo would be phenomenal...Everytime I see her perform, on TV or in concert, I think that!

[David10086]

Posted: 10/10/22 at 4:41pm

Patti Lupone! Wouldn't she be great ? It's like this part was made for her.