Interesting Time Line Of Norma Desmonds

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 12:44pm

Tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard. I could not let the occasion pass without recalling some of the highlights of what was the most eventful, headline-making musical run in memory.

http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=29520&CT=8

forgot to add that this is from bway.com
Updated On: 7/11/03 at 12:44 PM

[bongoboy]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:11pm

Thanks for the post. I was amazed by your knowledge until I read it was from bway.com. I saw it with Betty on Broadway and loved it. It was the first bway show I saw as an NYC resident when I moved here in January of '96. I also remember that many people were thrilled with Karen Mason's performance.

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:15pm

when i read this, I couldnt believe Ms. Close's outburst due to Karen Mason's performance humph! I love me some Karen!!!!

[bongoboy]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:20pm

I agree. I don't remember that "outburst", but I'm not surprised. It certainly fits the character.

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:31pm

Fantastic post !

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:34pm

This should really have an actual link and should't have the entire article cut and pasted.

It's only fair to the folks hosting the story that they get the proper traffic from it.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 1:44pm

Isn't there a Norma time-line exhibit in the Smithsonian? If not, there should be! Great post!

[Rob]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:00pm

I agree John... Also for copyright purposes linking is safer. Amneris - I went in and made that tiny change.

Rob

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:19pm

thanks rob..sorry about that. I know bway.com is big on copyright stuff. I think this article is wonderful. I can't believe it's been 10 years!

[tpdc]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:49pm

Ken only included a portion of Close's letter. She was understandbly mad that ALW inflated the grosses during her vacation to make it look there was no difference at the box office whether or not she was appearing. If that was the case, then he could have brought Patti over and Frank Rich not liking her performance would not have mattered. Close did praise Karen Mason as a person and a performer in her letter. But to suggest that they are equal box office attraction is what got her angry. Close is a star and has a healthy ego. She seemed quite nice when I met her and I haven't heard terrible things about working with her either.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:15pm

Good Lord, I had forgotten all that drama. That story, itself, would make quite a musical, if not Grand Opera. Hmmm...who would you cast?

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:26pm

hands down Cybil Sheppard. She did such a fine job with Martha Stewart this could be good character work. p.s. i remember when i saw sunset, my brother was in high school at the time and i was still in the younger grades...his drama club had some extra tickets so my mom and i went along with him and his drama peeps and at that particular performance, these tourists from japan snapped a photo or 2 of her during a scene and she stopped the show and went "would you like a performance or a photo shoot? make your choice now" and there was dead silence then she said "ok we shall continue" and she got back in to the scene. She was right to do that of course but, it kind of scared me because until then i'd never seen a person break the 4th wall. Updated On: 7/11/03 at 03:26 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:31pm

Oh that is good. Cybil as Patty and Christine Baranski as Glenn.
Faye could play Elaine and Patty could play Betty. Any backers?

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:32pm

"waves a $5.00 bill" YOO HOO this could go far you know... i know our friends here would support the show and see it.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 3:43pm

Amneris,

Who did you see? Glenn? Betty? Karen? You did not say who that story was about, but I love it.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 4:42pm

*sigh* Sunset was my first Broadway show ever.

Thanks for posting that, Amneris.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 5:22pm

I saw Karen Mason when she stepped in for Betty Buckley. I thought she was really good.

I saw Petula Clark in London. She stank. She played Norma too girlish.

I saw Elaine Paige on Broadway. She sang and acted the role well, but her height was a real problem because her leading man was a lot taller. When they danced, it looked very awkward.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 6:12pm

I saw the national tour with Petula Clark. Very good production.

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/12/03 at 12:32am

i saw it with Ms.Close but, Karen Mason happens to be one of my fav performers.