GUYS & DOLLS, SPIDER WOMAN & Block in SUNSET BLVD at the Kennedy Center- Page 8

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 12:45pm

“With Andrew Lloyd Webber’s approval, we’re taking a different tilt into the storytelling without having to change a lot of the text — actually, any of the text or the score.”

Wouldn’t this need Paramount’s approval as well? As the owner of the source material that the stage adaptation was based on? 

[chernjam]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 1:10pm

Its strange to imagine them attempting to make Betty a bit more of a narrator just to be original.  If they wanted to do something a bit more dramatic in terms of shifting the perspective, I've wondered about bringing Max out front and center since in terms of the story he's the one there from beginning to end and part of Norma's delusions are because of Max

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 2:04pm

I thought this director's take on EVITA (at City Center) was completely misguided. She attempted to apply a revisionist agenda to the piece that the text didn't support. "Sunset Boulevard" is demonstratively a period piece. It really doesn't need (nor will be well served) by trying to bring its storytelling aesthetic into the 21st century

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 2:10pm

This director is the female equivalent of Billy Porter. They should both stay away from directing musicals.

[mattmarkowski99]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 8:24pm

For those who have been to the Eisenhower Theater before, what is the view like from the extreme sides of the orchestra? I want to go this week and they have a bunch of partial view seats on the far sides of the orchestra, but I want to know how partial they are. 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 1/31/23 at 9:32pm

SJB continues to perplex me . After "Falsettos" was a huge fan. Voice and acting.    But then her concert from Lincoln Center (PBS) was less than glorious. I felt she was shouting the highest notes -- no flip to a more warmer sound.  I also attended a program where she spoke of Crest Strips and Cher for what seemed like an eternity.  (It was how she found her "Cher" voice).  It was a lot about a little.   When she did the "Stars" show with Seth she was even more arch --- and also a bit different talking about her husband's bout with COVID and his digestive issues from same.  Important to her (and thank goodness he is well) but a little offputting .  I felt the excerpt from "Sunset" that was shown, shows a performer just on the surface of the role of the song.  Although she is just trying to be wonderful --- not trying to be Norma.   I hope that she will rediscover her inner "fire" her "it" factor and can be the star we want her to be.  Just my 2 cents.   And Derek needs to listen to Michael Ball. (I am told it is ALW's favorite recording) for intensity, nuance and excitement.   When Ball sings "frenzied" you believe he is truly frenzied.  Derek was just trying to get through the song.  (Albeit at a rehearsal) but stock gestures and pedestrian phrasing. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 7:49pm

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 7:56pm

Meh. She looks like she's doing the Glee version.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 7:57pm

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 8:10pm

blaxx said: "Meh. She looks like she's doing the Glee version."

 

I just LOL

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 8:12pm

[steve.sometime]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 8:18pm

mattmarkowski99 said: "For those who have been to the Eisenhower Theater before, what is the view like from the extreme sides of the orchestra? I want to go this week and they have a bunch of partial view seats on the far sides of the orchestra, but I want to know how partial they are."

I was at front left orchestra. You will miss a decent chunk of action at the back of the stage, blocked by the staircase, but nothing too major. There was some technical issue before As If We Never Said Goodbye last night, 4 times we heard deafening static noises, luckily it stopped before the song.

Edit: clarified what I meant about the staircase.

Updated On: 2/2/23 at 08:18 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 8:25pm

Sometimes I forget how much of a genius Anthony Powell was. His designs are missed here.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 8:45pm

Wow. Looks all wrong. Those Catskills summercamp staircases!
Even a grainy bootleg of the original production transports you to the time and place better than this one does. 

Updated On: 2/2/23 at 08:45 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 11:19pm

JSquared2 said: "This director is the female equivalent of Billy Porter. They should both stay away from directing musicals."

Agree, her Evita at City Center was a mess but we shall see on Saturday??? It looks very summer stockish

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 11:30pm

To be fair this is a "concert" production.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 11:56pm

mattmarkowski99 said: "For those who have been to the Eisenhower Theater before, what is the view like from the extreme sides of the orchestra? I want to go this week and they have a bunch of partial view seats on the far sides of the orchestra, but I want to know how partial they are."

You're fine if you're house left. House right, you'll miss any times the staircase is used in "Norma's mansion" and the staircase cuts off action upstage.

Stephanie is a star, and nails her numbers. (She's sounding like a mix of Cher and Betty Buckley, which I kind of loved!) I loved Cannold's "Evita", but her "Sunset" was less of a fresh take and more of a sturdy revival. Nathan Gunn is in great voice, Auli'i Cravhalo was strong as Betty, and Derek Klena sounded lovely but missed a lot of Joe's humor. The orchestra sounded gorgeous, but the design and staging felt rather regional. The tone was also lighter around some of the iconic lines and more wild moments, which prompted some odd laugh moments from the audience.

 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 1:16am

Would love to know what work he has done but the permanent toupe for men is very popular. Friend of mine has it and I never would have guessed. 

[BJR]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 9:06am

Tbh once I realized it was the same director as EVITA, you couldn't pay me. That was paiinful. So badly directed.

[StallStealinTheSpotlight]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 10:29am

I don't think I could EVER call SJB less than glorious. Definitely better than Shoshanna Bean.

[StallStealinTheSpotlight]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 10:32am

Brave Sir Robin2 said: "mattmarkowski99 said: "For those who have been to the Eisenhower Theater before, what is the view like from the extreme sides of the orchestra? I want to go this week and they have a bunch of partial view seats on the far sides of the orchestra, but I want to know how partial they are."

You're fine if you're house left. House right, you'll miss any times the staircase is used in "Norma's mansion" and the staircase cuts off action upstage.

Stephanie is a star, and nails her numbers. (She's sounding like a mix of Cher and Betty Buckley, which I kind of loved!) I loved Cannold's "Evita", but her "Sunset" was less of a fresh take and more of a sturdy revival. Nathan Gunn is in great voice, Auli'i Cravhalo was strong as Betty, and Derek Klena sounded lovely but missed a lot of Joe's humor. The orchestra sounded gorgeous, but the design and staging felt rather regional. The tone was also lighter around some of the iconic lines and more wild moments, which prompted some odd laugh moments from the audience.

"I disagree with some of your take."

[StallStealinTheSpotlight]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 10:34am

all i can say is hubba hubba derek!!!!!

Updated On: 2/3/23 at 10:34 AM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 2:03pm

BJR said: "Tbh once I realized it was the same director as EVITA, you couldn't pay me. That was paiinful. So badly directed."

Yup agree 100% but we are still seeing SB on Saturday! We shall see?

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 2:35pm

StallStealinTheSpotlight said: "all i can say is hubba hubba derek!!!!!"

 

Thanks, Derek.

[brotherhoodofman]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 3:28pm

Washington Post is generally positive: https://www.washingtonpost.com/theater-dance/2023/02/03/sunset-boulevard-webber-kennedy-center/