GUYS & DOLLS, SPIDER WOMAN & Block in SUNSET BLVD at the Kennedy Center- Page 9

[Listener]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 4:50pm

Nice piece...this line stood out: "Block seizes each melodic moment like a Green Beret charging a key hill."

Uh oh. Sounds....a bit much.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 5:12pm

Really great review for SJB, which is great after so many posters trying to bring her down in the last few pages. I wish I could see her in this role.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 5:39pm

Trying to bring her down?  Oh please.

[Nicticorax]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 6:10pm

Listener said: "Nice piece...this line stood out: "Block seizes each melodic moment like a Green Beret charging a key hill."
Uh oh. Sounds....a bit much."

I mean, the very next line unambiguously compliments Block and her singing, so I don't think this is meant as a negative. Not to mention, I think it's perfectly appropriate for Norma to be "a bit much".

 

[defenses]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 6:24pm

The Kennedy Center sent an email about no fees for Sunset Boulevard tickets for 24 hours. And if anyone is a MyTix member, the Wednesday matinee will be available Monday.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 7:23pm

From an interview with the director on Playbill: “When Block brought the idea of starring in Sunset to the Kennedy Center’s Vice President Jeffrey Finn…”

So she basically cast herself. Oh, dear. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 8:25pm

She cast herself pretty spectacularly.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 11:10pm

I saw the show Wednesday and when I saw front row center for the low 100s on StubHub for tonight I jumped. 
 

I went into the show blind outside of knowing a few songs, and nothing of the story. I was really amazed. My first viewing I did spend a lot of time being like “wtf this is plot is messed up” and there were some technical issues as mentioned. I was row C Balcony so faces were faint, but I walked away very impressed.

 

Tonight, getting to watch the performances up close was like night and day, and even with just one show between the two I saw lots of improvements, and some very effective but slight blocking/cues. 
 

They were filming tonight. 4 serious looking cameras.

 

Truly, I found SJB to be nothing short of spectacular. I don’t have a measuring stick for this role, but as performances go (and I try to see every musical every season), it was really something to behold.

 

If you can see it, GO! StubHub Had lots of cheap choices if you’re local. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 11:38pm

suicidalmickeymouse said: "I saw the show Wednesday and when I saw front row center for the low 100s on StubHub for tonight I jumped.


I went into the show blind outside of knowing a few songs, and nothing of the story. I was really amazed. My first viewing I did spend a lot of time being like “wtf this is plot is messed up” and there were some technical issues as mentioned. I was row C Balcony so faces were faint, but I walked away very impressed.



Tonight, getting to watch the performances up close was like night and day, and even with just one show between the two I saw lots of improvements, and some very effective but slight blocking/cues.


They were filming tonight. 4 serious looking cameras.



Truly, I found SJB to be nothing short of spectacular. I don’t have a measuring stick for this role, but as performances go (and I try to see every musical every season), it was really something to behold.



If you can see it, GO! StubHub Had lots of cheap choices if you’re local."

Thanks for this review.  
The score is glorious and with a full orchestra and some power-voices, I had to believe that this would be something special.  When this first announced, I was booking trips on amtrack to get down t DC for the day for tomorrow.... But alas a friends wedding made this impossible for me.  Hope others will enjoy!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 3:09am

The only ALW score I adore. And, I had watch the original in a film class, the story is brilliant. Watch the original. It's fantastic. 

[Listener]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 3:56am

Nicticorax said: "Listener said: "Nice piece...this line stood out: "Block seizes each melodic moment like a Green Beret charging a key hill."
Uh oh. Sounds....a bit much."

I mean, the very next line unambiguously compliments Block and her singing, so I don't think this is meant as a negative. Not to mention, I think it's perfectly appropriate for Norma to be "a bit much"."

 

Well, it's all about degrees of "much". SJB, who I do enjoy, has a lot of force in her voice. I think what makes or breaks a Norma - aside from ability to sing the score well - is the vulnerability and seductive aspects of the character.

I mean, I haven't seen her performance, but I'm hoping she finds the balance between all those aspects and doesn't just sing the two big songs "hard" for lack of a better term. The idea of a soldier on a mission? I think that captures how Block does certain songs, and in the past it has worked. We'll have to see how SJB handles this one, basically.

And "much" can also equal campy. Some people like their Norma's campy and OTT (Hi Glenn's Tony Award!) and I don't really lean in that direction.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 5:45am

Great point about degrees Listener.

I concur that some people have strong preferences for the degree of "much" they want from Norma Desmond.  I've seen some very capable performers/performances that were just out of sync with those expectations.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 10:25am

Please don’t crucify me for asking, but does anyone know of any of the cast has been signing after? I wouldn’t try but I really want Auliʻi Cravalho to sign my Moana pop. Just wanna gage beforehand if it’s worth my time waiting.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 5:37pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp-lnCIjk0U

[pmensky]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 6:28pm

CATSNYrevival said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp-lnCIjk0U"

Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope. Derek looks so fresh and as if all he would have to do is flash a smile, and people would throw money and opportunity his way.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 6:31pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUMzCq9vgQg

[djjd007]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 6:35pm

This was fantastic. Stephanie has found SO much to mine, acting and vocals, the role feels fresh. Her descent into madness is a slow burn, and it humanizes her. I actually think she might replace Buckley as my favorite Norma. I can’t believe I just said that. Rest of the cast is a dream. And Cravalho is going to be one to watch. Her voice is so effortless and she pulls off a sassier, wiser Betty.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 6:44pm

pmensky said: "Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope."

Was Claybourne Elder too busy?

Updated On: 2/4/23 at 06:44 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 6:59pm

pmensky said: "Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope. Derek looks so fresh and as if all he would have to do is flash a smile, and people would throw money and opportunity his way."

William Holden was 32 and Gloria Swanson was 51.

Derek Klena is 31 and Stephanie J. Block is 50.

If Joe started in the business at 19 or even 22, a decade later he could absolutely be beaten up and spit out and cynical by the entertainment business. Whether Klena is a skilled enough actor to illustrate that is another story. What works about the film is that Billy Wilder didn't treat it as Norma's story –– it was Joe's story through the eyes of Norma. The stage musical makes it more about Norma, when the more interesting thing is two powerhouse performers.

There needs to be a meaningful gap between Joe and Norma. There's nothing unusual about a 40-year-old man dating a 50-year-old woman.

Updated On: 2/4/23 at 06:59 PM

[pmensky]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 7:03pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "pmensky said: "Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope. Derek looks so fresh and as if all he would have to do is flash a smile, and people would throw money and opportunity his way."

William Holden was 32 and Gloria Swanson was 51.

Derek Klena is 31 and Stephanie J. Block is 50.

If Joe started in the business at 19 or even 22, a decade later he could absolutely be beaten up and spit out and cynical by the entertainment business. Whether Klena is a skilled enough actor to illustrate that is another story. What works about the film is that Billy Wilder didn't treat it as Norma's story –– it was Joe's story through the eyes of Norma. The stage musical makes it more about Norma, when the more interesting thing is two powerhouse performers.

There needs to be a meaningful gap between Joe and Norma. There's nothing unusual about a 40-year-old man dating a 50-year-old woman."

I said he READS young. I know how old he is. He still looks 24.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 8:17pm

I agree Derek reads younger than he is. Maybe it’s the aforementioned piece.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 10:05pm

I disagree, I think he looks his age. Block however looks fantastic for 50. Would never have guessed.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 11:40pm

Anyway, how's Auli'I Cravalho in this? I actually don't know her work outside of MOANA and social media posts, where she's a real belter and a spitfire/fun personality.

Updated On: 2/4/23 at 11:40 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/5/23 at 11:17am

pmensky said: "CATSNYrevival said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp-lnCIjk0U"

Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope. Derek looks so fresh and as if all he would have to do is flash a smile, and people would throw money and opportunity his way."

I agree that he looks too young/inexperienced. Also, his vocals feels rushed, as though he's running his lines in his head and trying to get them all out quickly without screwing them up. And there's something about his pronunciation of the word "boulevard" that's like nails on a chalkboard to me. As much as I would've LOVED another chance to see this show, I'm glad I didn't invest in a trip to DC for this.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/5/23 at 11:18am

CATSNYrevival said: "pmensky said: "Derek comes across as very young. I think Joe should read closer to 40 than 30. He’s supposed to have been beaten up by the business and at the end of his rope."

Was Claybourne Elder too busy?"

Yes! Claybourne Elder would have been PERFECTION.