Nicole Scherzinger to star in West End Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy- Page 18

[DAME]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 3:32pm

I know it is not a ATG theater.  But a transfer into the Majestic would be fabulous.  Not only would it contribute to the soul of this incredible out of the box production in ways I can't explain... but I also like that the stage door is out to a less busier street and a shared alley with other theaters.  I can totally see the Act 2 opener taking advantage of all this.  That being said;  I am so glad I saw this two weeks ago in London.  The "event" feel and status it has in the West End is absolutely electrifying.  

[OhHiii]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 4:33pm

chernjam said: "On theatreboard - guy who's been pretty spot on with his predictions/announcements re: Sunset just said it will be at the St. James in Fall 2024"

As have I in this very thread. :)

[chernjam]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 4:36pm

OhHiii said: "chernjam said: "On theatreboard - guy who's been pretty spot on with his predictions/announcements re: Sunset just said it will be at the St. James in Fall 2024"

As have I in this very thread. :)"

Anything that saves me from spending a ridiculous amount to get to London to see this :)  

And hope those sharing "predictions" about a cast recording are accurate as well!

[BJR]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 4:51pm

Now that they're winning awards even, no way this isn't coming. I imagine it's been in the works for weeks

[Dolly80]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 5:52pm

This is transferring in March 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 6:03pm

Wouldn’t the opening of Act 2 have to be reworked for the St James?  Judging by the videos he spends most of the time on the street. Can’t picture him coming out of the stage door and turning right into the lobby so quick

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 7:20pm

This is why I think it’s gonna go to the Shubert. He can walk out on 44th street, then walk to 8th Avenue and then down 45th street to Shubert Alley and back into the theater to finish the title track. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 7:29pm

ATG doesn't operate the Shubert. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 8:25pm

TaffyDavenport said: "ATG doesn't operate the Shubert."

I'm aware, but it doesn't have to be an ATG house necessarily. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 8:31pm

ATG is a lead producer on the show, so odds are it will end up in one of their houses.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 8:38pm

TaffyDavenport said: "ATG is a lead producer on the show, so odds are it will end up in one of their houses."

But think, All of ATG's Broadway theatres are occupied at the moment. If they are looking for a Spring transfer, they will have to co-produce with either the Shuberts or Nederlanders. 

[binau]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 7:18am

I managed to catch the show again with Rachel Tucker last night (and I also managed to catch the show with Tom Francis' understudy recently), a couple thoughts:

1. The show works with Rachel Tucker - but it comes across much more like an avant grade off-broadway production that has made it to the West End rather than the event that the show feels like with Nicole. It almost feels like an ensemble piece between the leads rather than the same kind of overwhelming star presence. 

2. Rachel Tucker's performance is great, it's a little more serious and angry than Nicole. However, she actually just doesn't have Nicole S's vocal ability/vocal acting ability. Occasionally you can hear Rachel T might be able to belt a little stronger for a couple of notes, but overall Nicole S is giving a master class in vocal acting - she can sing with the intimacy and vulnerability of Bernadette Peters and with the power of Betty Buckley. It's also a brand new and unique sound - not just a derivative pop interpretation. It's just a different league of performance. It's very hard to compete with Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl, or Alice Ripley in next to normal, or Bernadette in Sunday. And this is no exception. In addition to her stronger and more unique voice, she also brings her star presence and charisma. This elevates the whole show greatly.

3. Tom Francis makes a very powerful leading man impact and is almost irreplaceable. I expect that he should transfer with the show from London. The vocals are good, not the most perfect ever - and his acting is good - again may not be the most perfect ever. But what he has is stage presence, star power, charisma and looks. I would not be surprised if this is a future stage star (as much as one can be these days)

4. The production, I was just absolutely floored paying close attention to how exactly they manage to make this material work. For example, using static choreography while people are singing the overly colourful and odd-toned music. Not only does it help avoid issues of the 2017 revival where it just feels too camp and busy, it also actually might be creating new dramatic layers in the material that wasn't seen before where we the music is at odds with what is being presented visually, creating this unusual subtextual atmosphere that feels intentional not like a bandaid. Similarly, framing ultra cringe romantic dialogue between the younger leads as a kind of intentional melodramatic film scene. It excuses the material. I've never seen a production before that has made me realise a Director can overcome flawed writing so much

5. With Nicole at least, the whole show and voice plays to the back of the balcony (and the projections actually keep people even right at the back close up for the most intimate moments). I have no worry whatsoever about this playing in a large theatre like the St James. The show is weirdly intimate but not at the same time. 

Just a stunning production.

[Seb28]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 8:35am

binau said: "Occasionally you can hear Rachel T might be able to belt a little stronger for a couple of notes, but overall Nicole S is giving a master class in vocal acting "

While I think Nicole has a decent singing voice, I found her acting and especially her acting through song to be weak. In all her songs you can tell that there are certain words that she is directed to "act", such as: "makes the WHOLE world cry" or "I'll be BACK". She shouts those words loud and aggressively but the intention behind it is completely missing. Watching her performance was like seeing her following director's notes without the right intention behind it. This also was evident with many gestures. There was a disconnect.

binau said: "overwhelming star presence"

I guess this depends how sensitive one is to fame. To me it is the last thing that matters and I am not influenced by it at all. The experience is about the actual performance for me.

binau said: "framing ultra cringe romantic dialogue between the younger leads as a kind of intentional melodramatic film scene. It excuses the material. I've never seen a production before that has made me realise a Director can overcome flawed writing so much "

While it's fine to hate a show or hate the writing, I don't see why one would copy the exact script and then apologize for it and call it entertainment. This will never result in a truly joyous experience.

binau said: "Gurl this is an ALW show not Sondheim. Yes the production is apologising for the material because it needs to apologise for it. I barely cringed (still did at points)"

That is not an argument. 

binau said: "It doesn't always work, and occasionally my mind started to wander with some of the non-Norma songs"

That is not good. 

I guess it all comes down to the fact that a certain kind of people love to surf on the latest hype, whatever it is. Being hyped by buzz and fame no matter the actual material or writing.

Another thing that bothered me was the dragging pace and building up of the songs, all life was sucked out of it. For example in With One Look. It's like the musical director has put the metronome in the slowest mode and let her sing everything on the count. This song needs to feel alive, when it comes to the "no words can tell, the story my eyes tell, watch me when I frown, you can't write that down" (extremely specific lyrics about silent film), there needs to be excitement, indignation, urge and acceleration in the music and singing. Definitely not everything slow and staccato. This song should be a rollercoaster ride of acceleration and holding back, a flow that feels alive. 

Updated On: 11/21/23 at 08:35 AM

[binau]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:17am

I’m not sure I fully understand the comments re: being hyped on buzz or fame no matter what the writing is, or the comments re: not an argument that the material needs apologising for. What I am suggesting is (and I understand not everyone would agree with me, but I’m fine with that) this show (music and lyrics) is not great. It’s a complete calibre below what I consider high quality (for good examples see: most Sondheim). I don’t think enough buzz, fame or hype can save the show (see: Glenn Close 2017 revival). But I think clearly a strong director can, as they have. Sure it’s not always perfect but you can only do so much. But it really works for me, and I am enjoying the show so much. Add Nicole’s stunning performance and star quality (I think when the cast recording comes out it’ll be clear what she is doing) and it’s a big success. 
 

I don’t really have anything to complain about. I just want this in NYC urgently. 

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:32am

I actually think its the nature of any good art to be a conversation piece of debate.

Seb, the criticisms you offer seem to be tied to your personal feelings about how the material should and shouldn't be presented. And that is perfectly okay. It seems like most people who are enjoying this production are focusing on the overall cumulative emotional mpact the show has on them.  Enough people have posted very specifically that they thought the experience was 'thrilling' -- I think its unfair to simply say that is only because of hype.

I still am confused why this is closing January 6 if it is not planning to come to Broadway this spring. Why wouldn't they try to move houses in London after the 6th then? its a big hit...

 

Updated On: 11/21/23 at 09:32 AM

[yyys]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:42am

Most likely because Nicole is not available.  She is the only reason why this is selling well. I think they've said limited run since day one.

QueenAlice said: 

"I still am confused why this is closing January 6 if it is not planning to come to Broadway this spring. Why wouldn't they try to move houses in London after the 6th then? its a big hit...

"

 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:42am

If your brain fights this production's concept, it makes for a long night. 

That wasn't the case for me in general and I thought the production was very good.  Lloyd's often glacial pacing and the highly mannered choices inflicted upon actors (Scherzinger in particular) grew a bit tiresome for me by the show's end.  But I know I am in the minority.

[lopside]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:45am

It's sold well, but there's no guarantee it will continue to do so. I feel like the hype hasn't reached the broader public in quite the same way, otherwise it would have sold out for the remainder of its run. Plus, there seem to have been shows that were lined up beforehand anyways and shifting the setup to another venue might be too expensive and not worth it. 

Also, seem to remember Chastain mentioning further life for Doll's House, and there's nowhere else for that to go but the West End. Wouldn't be surprised if Llloyd is already committed to doing that in London just post Sunset. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 9:57am

binau said: "this show (music and lyrics) is not great. It’s a complete calibre below what I consider high quality (for good examples see: most Sondheim).

But I think clearly a strong director can, as they have. 

I don’t really have anything to complain about."

Except your mind wandered off outside of her 2 songs and you dislike the writing of the show and say the material needs to be apologized for. ;)

But you are right, we all have different tastes and different ways of experiencing things. I seems that we are quite the opposite, I really dislike Sondheim and I think this director is weak, we have very different ways of experiencing things.

QueenAlice said: "It seems like most people who are enjoying this production are focusing on the overall cumulative emotional mpact the show has on them.  Enough people have posted very specifically that they thought the experience was 'thrilling' -- I think its unfair to simply say that is only because of hype."

True, impact is different for everyone.

And if someone enjoys something, there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 12:59pm

binau said: "What I am suggesting is (and I understand not everyone would agree with me, but I’m fine with that) this show (music and lyrics) is not great. It’s a complete calibre below what I consider high quality (for good examples see: most Sondheim)."

You're right - I don't agree with you. I think Sunset Boulevard comprises a haunting, glorious score with lyrics that rightfully pay homage to the script of the Billy Wilder film. By contrast, the only Sondheim show that didn't completely bore me was the last revival of Sunday in the Park with George, which was saved only by the cast (Jake Gyllenhaal, Annaleigh Ashford, Ashley Park, and Claybourne Elder) and the song "Sunday" and its reprise. I wish I could get my money back for the current production of Sweeney Todd.

[alovingfan]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 4:52pm

yyys said: "Most likely because Nicole is not available. She is the only reason why this is selling well. I think they've said limited run since day one.

QueenAlice said:

"I still am confused why this is closing January 6 if it is not planning to come to Broadway this spring. Why wouldn't they try to move houses in London after the 6th then? its a big hit...

"

"

I don't think they were expecting the huge hit this has become.  The theater is booked for Plaza Suite already.  

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 5:43pm

Told they have the Saint James theater in NYC.

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 5:54pm

BETTY22 said: "Told they have the Saint James theater in NYC."

Post #392, 5 days ago.

Updated On: 11/21/23 at 05:54 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 5:58pm

I really hope Tom Francis and his hotness ends up transferring too.

[JBradshaw]

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

please. 
 

EDSOSLO858 said: "I really hope Tom Francis and his hotness ends up transferring too."