SUNSET BLVD with Donna Murphy?

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 3:31pm

So last November, it was widely reported that Donny Murphy was a part of a workshop/reading of a new production of Sunset Boluevard.  Was wondering if anyone had heard anything further that perhaps I missed.  Sunset remains one of my all-time favorite musicals.  Would love to see a new production now that it's been over 20 years since it premiered on Broadway (and would be very interested with a Broadway production out of ALW's sometimes micro-managing hands)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 4:17pm

I hope it happens, but not with Donna Murphy please!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 5:13pm

Rewrite every lyric and it might be a worthy vehicle for her.

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 5:33pm

I heard they're shopping it around to investors, but I haven't heard if Donna is still a part of it.

[SingingChef]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 9:00pm

Good gosh, I hope this happens. Murphy would be sublime.

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 1:13am

bwayboy22 - Man I hope you're right... I'm guessing ALW and the RUG might be sitting this one out this time.  I'd just love to see what a new production might look like.  As much as people derided the 2nd American Tour directed by Susan Schulman, I really enjoyed the different perspective she took with it with a greater emphasis on the story and the acting which gave it a lot more emotion (I saw the original broadway production 8 times and the tour twice).  

Just hope this wasn't going to be another one of those actors playing instruments revivals.  Although - just to hear Murphy sing As If We Never Said Goodbye, and With One Look would be worth the admission

[Annetteiago]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 1:17am

 

Jacki Weaver

Andrea Martin

 

 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 1:18am

Wasn't Roundabout behind the workshops?

[philly03]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 12:58pm

I think ALW and team should look at this as a revisal (a la the last Jekyll tour) where they trim some of the fat and maybe add some to the Betty Schaefer role so that she is actually a character. 

They did a knock-off John Doyle version in 2008 on the West End, and I don't think it sold too well. I don't think Norma nor Joe played an instrument, if memory is correct. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 1:24pm

I think it would be a bit hard to add much to Betty's character considering the source material (the movie) has Betty as one-dimensional as she is in the musical.  The story really is all about Norma, one time she was larger than life - now she is only so in her own mind.  If there's any revisions I would suggest it would be the ending.  I think the finale is crying out for some 11:00 show stopper number capturing Norma's descent into madness rather than a reprise of With One Look.

[philly03]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 1:40pm

I think the film is much of a Hollywood story as is Norma's story (obviously hers is the main focus), and Gloria Swanson's (unproduced) musical version gave Betty some more to work with - I mean all 4 leads in the film were nominated for an Oscar. I'm not suggesting she get her own huge storyline, but she is certainly underdeveloped in the musical.

One other comment - I think that last dialogue line ("all those people...") is too iconic to be worked into a song.

[TheBoyFromNC]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 4:40pm

Donna would be terrific, but I'd really love to see Bernadette in this role. I think she'd sound sublime with the score. I can hear her singing Surrender, With One Look, and "No one ever leaves a star!" in my head. She may be a bit old for it (Norma is 50 and Bernadette is 67 right now, though she doesn't look it) so I'm not sure she could handle being on stage that much, but I'm still dreaming about it.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 5:27pm

"Donna would be terrific, but I'd really love to see Bernadette in this role. I think she'd sound sublime with the score. I can hear her singing Surrender, With One Look, and "No one ever leaves a star!" in my head. She may be a bit old for it (Norma is 50 and Bernadette is 67 right now, though she doesn't look it) so I'm not sure she could handle being on stage that much, but I'm still dreaming about it."

 I love Bernadette. I think she is one of the finest performers to grace a Broadway stage. With that being said, she could not be more wrong for this role. She simply doesn't have the voice for it.

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 9:38pm

yeah I like Bernadette Peters but don't think I can see her in this (can't believe she's 67 by the way - wow she looks amazing) she looks too young/girlish for me.  Donna Murphy the first time I read she was reading this, I could definitely see her in this, bringing a darkness and sophistication that would be perfect.  Thinking of her as Glenn Close with a voice.

[Jamminman]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 10:15pm

Alice Ripley needs to be Norma.  She has the voice and the crazy!

[Justin D]

Posted: 5/20/15 at 4:24pm

Id love to hear Julia Murney sing those songs, and would also think she would look stunning in the original costumes

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/20/15 at 4:44pm

Would love to see Vanessa Williams as Norma.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 5/20/15 at 5:04pm

I'd just love to see a revival in general. I love the score.

[binau]

Posted: 5/20/15 at 5:18pm

Bernadette's voice is a thousand times stronger than Alice Ripley's at the moment. If Glenn Close can sing it, Bernadette can sing it. I know I'm bias but reports of Bernadette's lack of vocal ability are highly exaggerated, in my opinion. She can still belt, and she still has a wide range. She isn't in the same category of people whose voices are severely limited due to ageing or other reasons (e.g., Alice Ripley, Chita Rivera, Elaine Stritch, Angela Lansbury etc.). She is no LuPone though. She'd never do it, but that would be a funny event I'd love to see.

[chernjam]

Posted: 5/20/15 at 11:07pm

qolbinau - I think Elaine Stritch's limitations to taking role would be more about her being dead than anything with her voice :)