SUNSET BLVD at Signature — Page 2

I wonder why the chose to do this with the thrust configuration? Seems like it would have been much better if they had used the proscenium configuration like they did with Spider Woman.

The show would require massive re-writes in order to eliminate the chorus. Songs like "Let's have lunch", "The Lady's paying" and "Eternal Youth..." would have to be cut almost entirely. Also, the dramatic juxtaposition of Norma's epty house on New Years versus artie and betty's would also be lost.
cutting the cast to four people kinda would ruin the show

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Does this production ever sell out?

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I finally caught the show before it closed.

It was a well crafted, wonderfully cast production.

I still have problem with ALW's score. For me, his best score is Jesus Christ Superstar. This one is not bad, far better than Phantom but definitely not his best. There is simply not enough music and he filled the story with the same melody over and over. It's a shame cause this is such a great story and I could imagine a lot great music can be put there yet I have to settle with repeated, over blown melody. This pissed me off cause I think that's just laziness from the composer.

The production itself is really well done. And the cast definitely stood out. I have never seen Sunset Blvd the musical before but was very familiar with the cast recording. I have seen D.B Bonds in Signature's "The Visit" as young Anton and he really impressed me with his fine voice even though it was a small role. Joe Gillis was the first major role I saw him in and I was not disappointed. I don't know if it was his choice or the director's decision.I found his Joe showed a lot kindness and genuine sympathy under his sarcastic tone. It made me care about him which is a surprise cause I never thought I would care about Joe Gillis. You can tell that he was truly feeling sad about Norma and truly gratitude for her generocity. He was with Norma partly because he was desperate, partly because he cared about her and because he was too weak to resist her demand. But there wasn't cold hearted, manipulative calculation from his end. He tried to stay away from Betty cause he knew he did not deserve her. No one despised him more than himself which made his ending much sadder.

Florence Lacey was an outstanding Norma. The singing and acting were spot on. She's a self-centered, crazy egomanic but wasn't a monster that I would imagine. Her Norma showed true humanity here and there which made me care about her and felt sad for her just like Joe did. Her "As if we never say goodbye" was the highlight of the show.

Ed Dixon's Max was a chilling figure that I could not forget. Norma was acting like a child who's living in her dream. She's not a monster and wasn't that creepy. Max was truly creepy. When a man could love and be obssesive with a woman to such a degree it became creepy. He was well aware that the kingdom they used to own were long gone but Norma was his dream and he created this bubble to wrap her to "protect" her. He's crazier than Norma.