SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 43

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 9:49am

QueenAlice said: "Why do the same insane people who aren't even at the show keep posting over and over about it?"

So we can't post unless we're literally in the theater while posting here? 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 10:01am

QueenAlice said: "Why do the same insane people who aren't even at the show keep posting over and over about it?"

Or the people (read: person) who clearly hates this production chiming in every other minute bemoaning and obsessively liking their own posts to make it look like anyone cares or agrees? 

Great question. 

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 10:01 AM

[Seb28]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 10:32am

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Or the people (read: person) who clearly hates this production "

Read: many, many people in this thread. Who love to discuss all details, also the ones that are less glorious, instead of just maniacally screaming "yass queen" at everything. The fact that you think that all of these people are 1 person is shockingly world-alienated. The real question is, why do these hollering yass queeners have complete meltdowns after each and every post that is even slightly critical? A few pages back someone gave an opinion about their concern of Nicole taking enough rest and they were attacked with aggressiveness beyond belief. Why do you think that is and why do people like you react on each and every one of the critiques with personal remarks and attacks? Never have I seen you respond with a content related argument on criticism of the show. Please refrain from that in the future. Thank you.

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 10:32 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 10:38am

"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]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:04pm

Seb28 said: "The real question is, why do these hollering yass queeners have complete meltdowns after each and every post that is even slightly critical?"

The only one having complete meltdowns in this thread is you (19+ posts nearly in a row; impressive). You and Lot666 should form a group for Defenders of the Great Lord Webber. He needs your support now more than ever, what with the wild desecration of his precious shows and all.

[Seb28]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:16pm

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]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:19pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "Seb28 said: "The real question is, why do these hollering yass queeners have complete meltdowns after each and every post that is even slightly critical?"

The only one having complete meltdowns in this thread is you (19+ posts nearly in a row; impressive). You and Lot666 should form a group for Defenders of the Great Lord Webber. He needs your support now more than ever, what with the wild desecration of his precious shows and all."

What are you going on about?

[Seb28]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:23pm

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]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:30pm

Do you have anything content-related to add to this thread right now, Seb? 

If not, please refrain from posting in the future. Thank you.

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 12:30 PM

[Seb28]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 12:34pm

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? 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 6:24pm

suzycat said: "Dog barked twice, no big deal.


How exhilarating to see Rashidra’s first performance! No one can do what Nicole can do but she gave a thrilling first performance, especially those last few minutes once Norma goes over the deep end. Brava!"

I was there. I thought I was going to be seeing Mandy, who I have seen before. Was surprised that Rashidra was  listed for Norma in the program but was interested in her take on the material. I’m sorry to say that I did not love her. However, I was unaware this was her first performance and if that is the case, she did a perfectly adequate job. I think there may have been one or two line flubs but quickly corrected. With One Look and As if We Never Said Goodbye got the usual huge stop the show applause but as others have noted, it was a little unearned. In any case, I wish her well in any future performances that she does. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 10:13pm

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.

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 11:48pm

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. 

[LxGstv]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 2:18pm

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!

[Huss417]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 4:11pm

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!"

Must have been an issue with it last night. I was back last week and all was fine.

[DrewJoseph]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 8:43pm

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.

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 3/7/25 at 6:15pm

I’m extremely upset I won’t get to see Nicole Kidman’s acclaimed turn as Norma Desmond!  Is this a BWW AI Fail or a third party ad with shoddy AI? 

 

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/7/25 at 7:08pm

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.

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/10/25 at 9:29pm

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

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/11/25 at 1:38pm

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

[binau]

Posted: 3/11/25 at 6:20pm

Nicole's vocals sound excellent!!! And I notice the balcony is indeed open tonight and also have no idea why - group bookings or unusually busy week? Who knows. 

If this is going to LA maybe they'll announce it as part of their Tony campaign. This is the tightest race for Best Actress in a Musical we have seen in a very, very long time!!

[Ensemble1728379893]

Posted: 3/13/25 at 10:12pm

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.  

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/13/25 at 10:29pm

I can't wait to see this for the 3rd time soon!  It's so wonderful - and the best revival of the season (so far).  Excited to see Floyd Collins .

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 3/13/25 at 10:35pm

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

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/13/25 at 10:52pm

Ensemble1728379893 said: "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."

Just got in from tonights performance as well! 
Second everything Ensemble says here... Was happy to see a different Betty (would've been upset if Joe or Max's understudies were on)  - This was my third visit and it's beautiful to see how much the cast has grown in their roles and really owning it.  

Nicole was sublime.  And for those wondering, With One Look is back to the original higher key.  God Bless the woman, if they had to lower it for a few weeks to avoid an absence, I doubt anyone minded (I know I didn't when that was the case in December) but it was good to hear her in full command tonight.  And the chemistry between them all, really makes this a magical, spectacular experience.

One interesting thing that I haven't heard before, Tom's Sunset Blvd walk it looked like the security had to intervene right as he was returning to the Theatre.  It was clear that someone had either gotten in the way or something because the camera was not on him and you could see a slight distraction - but man, he didn't miss a note and kept going and landed right back on stage at the precise moment he's supposed to - to rapturous applause.

Was happy to bring a friend of mine who saw the original once with me when we were in college and hasn't even listened to the score since and get his reaction.  He said he remembered and enjoyed the original, but tonight was already downloading the recording on Apple and said he doubted he'd ever forget this performance.  Loved the reinterpretation and performances...