Glenn vs Nicole

Glenn because she is an actor.



Apples and oranges as to which show or performance you prefer though, really.

Updated On: 8/3/25 at 08:00 AM

Close was magnificent. A single moment when that spotlight hit and what she did with her face and body before singing ”With One Look” is still one of the most stunning moments in theatre.

Glenn was excellent in the role and brought a lot of gravitas with her pedigree and acting skills. However, ultimately I think Nicole’s performance is the one for the ages. The emotional depth of the musical performances is just so unmatched. ‘American idol’ doesn’t really capture what is going on in my opinion. It’s deep, deep from her soul and you can really feel the emotion pouring out through her diverse and complex range of choices. So regardless of who did ‘Norma Desmond’ better ultimately I think Nicole gave the more special performance.

Comparing is bizarre in these cases. It's not like Mama Rose, where we've had 3 major Broadway mountings in 20 years. Norma's have been two, 30 years apart. Both were arguably excellent, because they were perfectly cast for their productions, and for their respective generations.

Having been lucky enough to see both of them, they both are so wonderful in the role, and I'm so glad I've gotten to see two wildly different but beautiful takes on the role.

That said Nicole will always BE Norma to me - her singing is obviously beautiful but the nuance and vulnerability in her acting is what really made me love her performance. Her connection to the material is obviously overwhelming - some people criticize her for seeming too much like Nicole in the show, but to me that's precisely the point. Those moments where she sings things like "I've come home at last" or says "this is my life, it always will be, there is nothing else," you know she is feeling it both as Norma and as Nicole and allowing the audience to feel the emotion for both of them. I know some may argue that this isn't acting but to me the way this production asked you to consider whether Nicole is a modern day Norma Desmond really worked and she played the role so magically.

What in hell is a modern day Norma?


Stripped down, doing schtick, No costuming, barefoot. Young acting, constantly sexually forward?



Then that’s not Norma. It’s an entirely different character. Interesting to watch, powerhouse vocals - But not Norma.

I honestly have no idea who the OP is, but why would you post a question than answer it yourself?

Crusty Bagel said: "Nicole was far too pedestrian to play the role. Jamie Lloyd went down the failed Patti route with the big voice and annoying schtick. He should have chosen someone like Rosamund Pike to play the role.
Frankly, Glenn sang the score better than Nicole ever did."

I’d suggest you look up the definition of pedestrian because the use in this context is actually comical. You the same person who’s been dogging Nicole and the revival since first preview in London?

No pedestrian is the right word. Nicole is a dime a dozen with her twerking and mugging and big voice. Glenn is actually a one of kind, there’s simply no one else like her and her acting and singing is superb.


i saw Nicole singing losing my mind on Colbert, well guess what Nicole, Glenn’s got you beat there too because she sang it at the Kennedy center honors and it was UNREAL. One of the best things EVER!!

This question can only be answered by someone who knows the complexities of the character, and the true Julliard meaning of the skill we call acting. So I paid a visit to Patti Lupone and asked her the question.

Patti gave me a cold stare without blinking once for 30 seconds. She then turned her head, looked out the window, and asked, "Isn't it a beautiful day ?"

I hope her answer settles this once and for all.