Glenn Close To Reprise Role in ENO's "Sunset Boulevard"?

Isn't she a little...mature to be playing this role again?

"Isn't she a little...mature to be playing this role again?"

I suppose that that depends on how old Norma was at the peak of her career. If she was 25 in 1910 and had a career until roughly 1931 she would be roughly 46 at the end of her career. If we agree that the musical takes place in 1950, which is the year that the film version came out then she would be 65. Glenn Close is currently 68, so I would say no, she is not necessarily too mature for the role. It seems perfectly reasonable.

It'd be great if they would decide to film it. Does the ENO ever film their productions?

""Isn't she a little...mature to be playing this role again?"
I suppose that that depends on how old Norma was at the peak of her career. If she was 25 in 1910 and had a career until roughly 1931 she would be roughly 46 at the end of her career. If we agree that the musical takes place in 1950, which is the year that the film version came out then she would be 65. Glenn Close is currently 68, so I would say no, she is not necessarily too mature for the role. It seems perfectly reasonable."

The time line is fairly well-set in the text of the musical. It does indeed take place over 1949-1950, as the party-goers at Artie's New Year's Eve party sing "1950 will be my start." We know Norma was very young when she started her career, as Max, her first director, sings "When we met she was a child, barely sixteen." Joe also tells her "Nothing's wrong with being fifty, unless you're acting twenty." Since Norma was meant to be a contemporary of the great silent film stars of the 20s it is safe to assume that she was born right around 1900.

So Glenn Close may be too old to still play the role on film, but on stage, especially a large house like the London Coliseum (around 2,500 seats) that won't matter as much. It's also safe to assume she'll be wearing some fairly heavy, gothic makeup, similar to what she wore on Broadway, which will also help to blend some of those years away.

"Now if Judy Khun could reprise the role of Betty Schaeffer...I highly doubt it...but it'd be heaven."

Now that would be stretching beyond a mere suspension of disbelief. Judy is extremely talented, but hearing a woman who is nearing 60 tell the leading man that she is 22 would be just comical. And, quite frankly, I've never really cared for her on the recording. She never seems to capture the innocence and freshness that I always got from Meredith Braun on the London recording.

Swanson was 50 or 51 when she did the original film and was an actual silent film star so it would make sense she's meant to be that age.

I always thought a big part of it was that she wasn't thaaaaaaat old but at the time in the film industry especially with silent films out of style she might as well have been 100. She was just a has been clinging to her youth.

"Swanson was 50 or 51 when she did the original film and was an actual silent film star so it would make sense she's meant to be that age.
I always thought a big part of it was that she wasn't thaaaaaaat old but at the time in the film industry especially with silent films out of style she might as well have been 100. She was just a has been clinging to her youth."

What you say of Swanson is true, but that does not have to be true of Norma in the musical. Besides, being in your 60s isn't thaaaaaaat old. Furthermore, the stage isn't the screen. Despite the final line of the show, there are no closeups; so, sitting 30+ feet away Glenn Close may still read as 50s.

Man, first Phone Hell and now this? Patti must be having a horrible week.

I saw the revised minimalist/actors playing instruments production of SB that was highly praised in London. It didn't seem bloated at all. I also enjoyed the Broadway production. I can't imagine a musical based on one of the all time classic films being described as illiterate. A large proportion of the dialogue came right from the Billy Wilder movie, simply one of the greatest films of all time.

The worst thing about these boards is that anonymous people without visible credentials can post negative comments without offering any rationale for their opinions. Why do they even bother?

""Haven't we suffered enough hearing Ms Close attempt to sing the score?"

I had to sit through her opening night performance here in Los Angeles, and her singing was painful.
"

But you loved it and went twice.

""Haven't we suffered enough hearing Ms Close attempt to sing the score?"

I had to sit through her opening night performance here in Los Angeles, and her singing was painful.
"

Was someone pointing a gun at you forcing you to see it?

I saw Glenn, Betty, Karen, Elaine, Maureen, Diahann, Petula, Alisa (understudy), Susan Dawn Caraon (undertusy), Rita Moreno, Linda Balgord, Patti, a tour understudy who's name escapes me

...I'm only listing people from the original production.

Glenn was one of the best.

Um... would she even be ABLE to sing that score anymore??

Forget whether you think Glenn Close can sing well enough for a musical: the main thing is, it's an Andrew Lloyd Webber score! with all the term implies! Frank Rich made a good point when the show premiered in London, that the score is written so much for a "belter" - for a pop voice - that it cuts off older actresses (like Angela Lansbury, perhaps) who might otherwise act the hell out of the role.

Personally, going from the L.A. cast album, I think Glenn Close was GREAT and played the role just as well as I can imagine - but her voice WAS slightly rough even at the time (though not unpleasant). I'd guess she'd be too old to do that score now - but really, I think almost ANY actress in her 60's wouldn't be able to handle it.

Updated On: 7/11/15 at 09:06 PM