Norma in Sunset Boulevard transfer

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:31am

Who could play Norma Desmond in the hoped for transfer for the London revival of Sunset Boulevard?

Bernadette Peters or Victoria Clark would be great or even Christine Baranski

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:42am

Maybe Patti will make peace with ALW and win another Tony!

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:43am

ooo... is that a pig fly?

I can't see Patti ever making up with Webber!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:46am

Yes but folks didnt see her and Laurents patching things up either and their GYPSY reconciliation was a huge success for both. Who knows....

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:50am

Bernadette and Victoria don't have the level of crazy the role needs. Christine doesn't have the vocals.

I know it will never happen, but they should try and get Whitney Houston to do it. Can you imagine the publicity they could generate on that.

BTW, Liza is doing the movie. IMDB never lies.


Liza in Sunset Boulevard

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:50am

Would love to see Kathryn Evans brought over. She was (and I hate the overuse and simply using this word) fierce.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:58am

There are a few people who would be great in this role...I take it that the Norma role doesn't have to do too much with the instruments?

Christiane Noll released a great version of "With One Look" on her CD. It was wonderful. Don't think she's old enough yet, but maybe they can fix that.

I'd love to see what Judy Kuhn could do with it too!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:00pm

Agreed with Yankeefan. Stick with Kathryn Evans. She was incredible.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:06pm

The problem with Kathryn Evans is that nobody in the US knows who she is.

When the show first played in the US, audiences attended based on who was playing Norma. Everyone knew Glenn Close so it was a huge draw, less people knew Betty Buckley and so TKTS kept the show open, and even less people knew Elaine Paige and so they were papering the house and there were still half empty performances.

Updated On: 6/15/09 at 12:06 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:10pm

I think Vanessa Williams would be incredible. For an outside the box choice, how about Kathy Bates? I know she can sing, but I don't know if she can sing well enough for this role. I know she would act the hell out of it.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:11pm

But isnt it true that sometimes NY audiences will flock to see someone who got amazing notices in another production overseas.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:14pm

Douglas Hodge isn't a big name here, either, and they're banking on him to headline LA CAGE.

And yes, people will flock to anything London here in New York.

Unless the show is called "The Norman Conquests," which despite extraordinary reviews, the Tony for best revival and dynamite word of mouth still has to paper to fill seats.

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:15pm

Vanessa Williams... love that idea!

[jejr]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:17pm

Dihanne (sp?) Carroll did a fantastic job in the Toronto production and Petula was great in the tour. Either one would be a real asset for Broadway.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:23pm

Norma is supposed to be 50ish. Many of the names that have been suggested are too old.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:25pm

"But isnt it true that sometimes NY audiences will flock to see someone who got amazing notices in another production overseas."

Can you name a production where this happened?

The normal theater savvy people will see these productions no matter who is in them. But Sunset Boulevard is an expensive show and it needs tourist dollars to fill the seats.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:29pm

""But isnt it true that sometimes NY audiences will flock to see someone who got amazing notices in another production overseas."

Can you name a production where this happened?"

That's why ALW/whoever decided when Elaine Paige wasn't selling at first to have her be reviewed by many of the US critics, if I'm not mistaken, and she got incredible notices and great crowds through New Years time,...and it wouldn't surprise me if they just wanted to close the show when they did because Elaine's contract probably expired anyway (September to March - 6 months sounds good to me), like a Jekyll & HYDE thing. Why bother to put someone who could be vastly talented (although all the Normas were very talented) who is an unknown over a celebrity!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 12:32pm

Actually, youre both right. When I think of successes they are things like The Seagull which had an international film star at the helm of it. Things like Mary Stuart arent selling well despite the acclaim.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 1:07pm

This prod. is far from expensive. Turntable Unit set with actors playing instruments.

[mzk2004]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 1:21pm

I don't understand why this show that had to close early (instead of run its extension) due to lack of demand in London wants to come over.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 1:45pm

I think you guys are in for a treat if Kathryn Evans comes over.

Make no bone about this Sunset Boulevard will be on TKTS from day one!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 2:43pm

Hello. Someone mentioned Kathy Bates as a possible "Norma Desmond." That makes as much sense as someone...like Oliver Platt being cast in a leading musical role. Wait.... : ) I think Vanessa Williams would be great! She's got the voice... and certainly the dramatic potential. from RC in Austin, Texas (visiting Chicago from June 26-29 and seeing "La Cage" at Theatre Building Chicago.)

[dg22894]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 2:47pm

I know it is not conditional and I might get shot but Debra Monk?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 3:01pm

It really needs a Dorothy Loudon type. Someone who can sing the score and can be believable as being whacko crazy.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 3:17pm

That's why I suggested Kathy Bates. I don't know if she sings well enough, but does anyone do whacko better? The more I thought about it, the more I liked it. If Tyne Daly can succeed in Gypsy, why not? Now, before anyone goes nuts, I know the demands of Sunset Boulevard's are different from Gypsy's, but I just don't know whether or not Bates could handle it.