SUNSET BLVD. Reviews — Page 43

"Someone snuck their dog in with them (are service dogs allowed?)"

Service dogs don't bark unless it's part of their duties. If the dog barked it wasn't a service dog, it's a bad service dog, or its owner was about to have a medical emergency.

ColorTheHours048 said: "The only one having complete meltdowns in this thread is you

He needs your support now more than ever, what with the wild desecration of his precious shows and all."

Do you know the difference between a good discussion and a meltdown, such as constant personal attacks over opinions? If not, I would recommend you look into that.

In general, aside from the people who experience a complete identity crisis when reading a comment that doesn't fit their bubble, who obviously need support, this board needs support from more people who understand what discussions are. Dropping a personal, isolated, snark comment here and there that is not content-related is not it. Good discussions require multiple content-related posts.

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 12:16 PM

Lot666 said: "What are you going on about?"

Don't worry about it Lot666, people like that don't know any better. They are completely devoid of character. You will never have anything that comes close to a discussion with them. There's just emptiness. A maniacal panic when being confronted with reason, facts and themselves.

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 12:23 PM

abcd12 said: "Do you have anything content-related to add to this thread, Seb?
If not, pleaserefrain from posting in the future. Thank you."

Definitely! All my posts aside from the reaction on this attacks are content-related. How would you describe yours?

Anyway, have more people seen or heard Rashidra Scott?

Ok since on Saturday I was posting with enormous tooth pain that led to a double root canal on Monday but now I'm back I can sort of appraise the production:

I thought the artificiality was the point. The whole production makes sense as a fever dream where Norma sees HERSELF as younger and beautiful. The constant screens re-inforce her vision. It's how she sees herself: young and hot, Max is young and hot too.

I feel like it worked bc one thing that's never made sense about the musical is how damned earnest all the ALW power ballads seem as a response to a movie that is deliberately cruel and ironic. Billy Wilder made you care about Norma by highlighting all the ways she's ridiculous. It's pathetic and sad. ALW power ballads are more "yasss queen" than pathetic and sad.

But by making it all so artifcial, and making Norma SO theatrical and performative, it kind of brought back the coldness that was so much a part of the original film.

That's my take anyway. That and Nicole's voice is ****ing amazing.

I’m a huge fan of this production, saw it again last night with Nicole after seeing it with Mandy previously.

I noticed that they didn’t have the video projections of Joe driving during the “opening credits”, was that removed from the show or did they have issues last night? The show did start later than usual.

They had the camera setup and everything, but no lights and there was no projection. Only Nicole’s projection at the very end.

Was just curious about it!

LxGstv said: "I’m a huge fan of this production, saw it again last night with Nicole after seeing it with Mandy previously.

I noticed that they didn’t have the video projections of Joe driving during the “opening credits”, was that removed from the show or did they have issues last night? The show did start later than usual.

They had the camera setup and everything, but no lights and there was no projection. Only Nicole’s projection at the very end.

Was just curious about it!"

Yeah I was at the show as well. Bit bummed it did not work, but just an issue that night. He was holding the cam, it just did not go on. I was particularly looking forward to that moment. It’s such a great reveal of the screen and tech of the show. Rest ran smoothly as I remember it from London. Such a good piece of theater.

Bwaygurl2 said: "poisonivy2 said: "

I feel like it worked bc one thing that's never made sense about the musical is how damned earnest all the ALW power ballads seem as a response to a movie that is deliberately cruel and ironic. Billy Wilder made you care about Norma by highlighting all the ways she's ridiculous. It's pathetic and sad. ALW power ballads are more "yasss queen" than pathetic and sad.

But by making it all so artifcial, and making Norma SO theatrical and performative, it kind of brought back the coldness that was so much a part of the original film.



M​​​​y thoughts exactly. Webber isn't suited to cynicism and irony, and that was lost in translation from the original movie to the musical. He is superb at conjuring Old World glamour and mystery, the Hollywood Babylon of it all, and Norma and Max are in his wheelhouse, Joe less so. This production reinstates the irony and is truer to the original movie in tone."

Really appreciate both of your insights here. I've been a massive fan of Sunset Blvd since I first listened to the World Premiere Recording 31 years ago. Which obviously makes me a bit biased in my approach to seeing it on stage - heck I even liked the Petula Clark 2nd National Tour. But the first time seeing this production I couldn't quite figure out what it was that made it connect so much on so many different levels (and helped me to look at the original production with new eyes) I think you both nailed it in that the elements that made Sunset Blvd such a classic film were lacking in the original (and up to now subsequent productions) that tried to replicate everything onstage.

By stripping away so many of the trappings of the original ("silent screen star" now easily interpreted as Instagram/Social media influencer) and leaning into the sad pathetic story that Norma is ("there is nothing else...") had made it much more raw, cynical and jarring. Loved every minute of it and can't wait to get back to the St. James to see it again.

Nicole singing With One Look live this morning on Good Morning America
- - and she's singing it back in the keys on the recording.

Fabulous performance -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQ7a9I6Hx8

I was there tonight, Thursday March 13th. We had Betty's understudy, and Sydney Jones was wonderful. Great voice and presence. And great chemistry with Tom Francis. She resembles young Norma and Norma, creating an eery effect.

The production is still perfect for me. I love it. Tonight's audience was incredible, we were all enraptured by the proceedings. Long curtain call.

chernjam said: "OK - so here's a question - does anyone know why they opened the balcony for tomorrow night's performance with Mandy Gonzalez guest starring? Pretty much the balcony has been closed for Tuesday nights - and it looks like they've sold pretty well for tomorrow night"

You may have already gotten your answer by now, but it was a special show for NYC educators.

SUNSET BOULEVARD Welcomes 500 NYC Public School Educators for Teachers Night on Broadway

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SUNSET-BOULEVARD-Welcomes-500-NYC-Public-School-Educators-for-Teachers-Night-on-Broadway-20250312