SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 45

[dan94]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 12:01pm

Lane Bradbury, the original June, went on a podcast where she was asked about seeing it. 

Sandra Church is still with us, as is her replacement Julienne Marie. Off the top of my head Anita Gillette and June Squibb replaced in the original production, and are both still with us.

[Huss417]

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

The whole Audra/Nicole thing is really getting tiresome on here. It's like beating a dead horse as it just keeps going in circles.

Back to Sunset. Curious how many from here plan on going to the final on July 13? I have a feeling its going to be a very memorable performance and looking forward to it.

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 12:48pm

binau said: "In my opinion they might have used the term 'limited run' for marketing purposes but a 9-month run on Broadway in a large theatre is not a real limited run because nothing was really limited haha. It is reasonably predictable that this would not sell out the St James for 9 months and need Mandy's night but I guess they were expecting this to maybe be a kind of viral mega hit instead of just decent business."

Its interesting because when it opened and appeared as an open ended run I wondered whether they really intended to search for a new leading lady post- Nicole (and remember hearing Heather Headley either as someone they wanted to follow Nicole or originally as the "Tuesday guest star")  But after seeing Nicole 3 times now, it's hard to imagine someone else in this production.  Not that it's impossible, but because it is - like you pointed out - such a massive reinvention from the original and subsequent productions, the comparisons immediately following would be hard to contend with.

In reality, the 9 month run would've been hard to label "Limited Run" from the outset... I think it was simply math here - the capitalization being around $15 million, the operating costs per week around $950,000 - at 9 months that was their best shot at recouping, which seems 50/50 right now - at least here in NY. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 2:52pm

Huss417 said: "The whole Audra/Nicole thing is really getting tiresome on here. It's like beating a dead horse as it just keeps going in circles.

Back to Sunset. Curious how many from here plan on going to the final on July 13? I have a feeling its going to be a very memorable performance and looking forward to it."

I've got a party of four going to the finale on July 13.

[binau]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 4:26pm

By the way, there was a question on why the balcony was open for one of the Mandy performances recently and I THINK it might have been because of this: 

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

Such a nice idea. Rather than close the Balcony every Tuesday it would be such a nice thing to do if the production could do more outreach programmes to give away free tickets to people who would not see the show otherwise. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 6:05pm

Since it got last in the chatter, is rear balcony going to be awful? I’ve never sat up there. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 6:08pm

RippedMan said: "Since it got last in the chatter, is rear balcony going to be awful? I’ve never sat up there."

I don't remember if this would be your first time seeing the show or not, and I was literally last row of balcony the first time I saw it and I was still blown away, but I did miss a lot of nuances with the acting that was being done when it wasn't projected on the big screen.  So I think as a whole it's not a terrible experience because so much of the show is about the mood and a lot of important things are projected, but when I saw it again from the mezz I felt that there was a slightly deeper layer I missed out on from the balcony.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 6:14pm

RippedMan said: "Since it got last in the chatter, is rear balcony going to be awful? I’ve never sat up there."

This balcony is so high it is like sitting on the roof of the theatre. I sat there one time only and it was pretty miserable. The first thing that happens is the people in the front row of the balcony start leaning their heads forward to try to see better, rendering the people behind them unable to see anything at all. Then the second row starts leaning forward, and on and on and on. Not that there is anything to see from the balcony except a bunch of tiny dots running around a stage. It’s really a very unpleasant experience. At least you will be able to hear everything because the sound design for this show is pretty spectacular. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 6:32pm

Matt Rogers said: "RippedMan said: "Since it got last in the chatter, is rear balcony going to be awful? I’ve never sat up there."

This balcony is so high it is like sitting on the roof of the theatre. I sat there one time only and it was pretty miserable. The first thing that happens is the people in the front row of the balcony start leaning their heads forward to try to see better, rendering the people behind them unable to see anything at all. Then the second row starts leaning forward, and on and on and on. Not that there is anything to see from the balcony except a bunch of tiny dots running around a stage. It’s really a very unpleasant experience. At least you will be able to hear everything because the sound design for this show is pretty spectacular."

Honestly, the only negative aspect I've had seeing Sunset Blvd three times is the theatre itself. I've sat in the orchestra, and I've felt cramped and uncomfortable—I can't even imagine what it must be like in the balcony.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 6:40pm

chernjam said: "Matt Rogers said: "RippedMan said: "Since it got last in the chatter, is rear balcony going to be awful? I’ve never sat up there."

This balcony is so high it is like sitting on the roof of the theatre. I sat there one time only and it was pretty miserable. The first thing that happens is the people in the front row of the balcony start leaning their heads forward to try to see better, rendering the people behind them unable to see anything at all. Then the second row starts leaning forward, and on and on and on. Not that there is anything to see from the balcony except a bunch of tiny dots running around a stage. It’s really a very unpleasant experience. At least you will be able to hear everything because the sound design for this show is pretty spectacular."

Honestly, the only negative aspect I've had seeing Sunset Blvd three times is the theatre itself. I've sat in the orchestra, and I've felt cramped and uncomfortable—I can't even imagine what it must be like in the balcony."

I’m short, so legroom is not a problem for me, but I brought my husband the other day, and he said the orchestra seats were like a torture chamber. He’s not short. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 7:21pm

Anyone gotten a TKTS ticket? I might just do that or rear Mezz. I sat there for Frozen and it was a fine seat.

[binau]

Posted: 3/26/25 at 3:09am

Does the screen make sitting in the rear balcony at least a little more tolerable? 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/26/25 at 7:46am

bwaydreamer said: "Matt Rogers said: "bwaydreamer said: "Could not agree more. And I don't necessarily blame her so much as the direction. But still, wholly baffled by a well-enough-sung-at-times (she was cashed when I saw her) performance that goes nowhere and does nothing."

Could not agree more with what? The quote button is your friend.

Also, “she was cashed when I saw her”……..huh????????"

Please calm down. I thought I hit the quote button. Was quoting this obviously to any one with a brain.



"Honestly, no offense to Nicole, but I hope she doesn't win a Tony for this. You have to do more than sing well to deserve a Tony and her performance here is far from clever or interesting.

She's a good singer, sure, fine, but this show hasn't exactly pushed her to do more than act like a Diva and take her sweet time delivering the tunes. The weird modern touches don't help the fact that this is supposed to be a period piece. It just doesn't work.

That doesn't mean it isn't entertaining, mind you, but...to win a Tony I'd like to think she'd given us a great Norma who has dimension and humanity and layers. She just isn't an actress. But hey, it's showy."



And YES she was hoarse and her pushing and it sounded PAINFUL when I saw her. And the acting was bad. I know that gets your panties in a bunch but it's not a performance for the ages or even the season. Get off your gay high horse."

There is something very wrong with this site. The moderators keep deleting my response to this obvious personal attack but when I report this post, they let it live. 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/27/25 at 10:43pm

I saw the show again tonight and I’m not sure how it’s possible, but Nicole has only gotten stronger. Every time I return, I continue to be absolutely floored by what she’s doing on that stage. I love Audra and think she’s doing a strong job in GYPSY, but I wouldn’t even hesitate if I were a Tony voter. Nicole is astonishing.

I was also thrilled to finally catch Diego Andres Rodriguez as Joe - he’s got an incredible career ahead of him.  

And let’s please not forget about David Thaxton come Tony time?! Grace Hodgett-Young seemed a bit off her game vocally (strange, considering she just came back from vacation) but still managed to sell what is normally a throwaway role. 

Also happy to report the audience was on their best behavior and seemed wrapt throughout. 

This production is as good as it gets, in my opinion. What a way to spend World Theatre Day. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/27/25 at 11:28pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "I saw the show again tonight and I’m not sure how it’s possible, but Nicole has only gotten stronger. Every time I return, I continueto be absolutely floored by what she’s doing on that stage. I love Audra and think she’s doing a strong job in GYPSY, but I wouldn’t even hesitate if I were a Tony voter. Nicole is astonishing.

I was also thrilledto finally catch Diego Andres Rodriguez as Joe - he’s got an incredible career ahead of him.

And let’s please not forget about David Thaxton come Tony time?! Grace Hodgett-Young seemed a bit off her game vocally (strange, considering she just came back from vacation) but still managed to sell what is normally a throwaway role.

Also happy to report the audience was on their best behavior and seemed wrapt throughout.

This production is as good as it gets, in my opinion. What a way to spend World Theatre Day."


Diego is indeed an incredible addition to a stellar cast.  He actually made Artie who was often an afterthought integral to the production.  Glad he got another week stepping in for Tom as Joe.  I think I heard that Diego is leaving soon for the UK to star as Che in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Evita

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/8/25 at 7:01pm

Have tickets for the Saturday matinee on 5/24, and just got an email from Seatgeek that Nicole S will not be performing that weekend.  She'll be out Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I saw her in SB back in November and loved it.  I'm assuming that Rashindra Scott will be covering for her.  

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/8/25 at 8:31pm

nealb1 said: "Have tickets for the Saturday matinee on 5/24, and just got an email from Seatgeek that Nicole S will not be performing that weekend. She'll be out Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I saw her in SB back in November and loved it. I'm assuming that Rashindra Scott will be covering for her."

I saw Scott do this and unfortunately it was not great. Granted, it was her first performance but still, it was extremely rough. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 10:14am

So what exactly does Norma do to Joe at the end in this production? In the original film and stage production she shoots him 3 times and he falls dead into the pool. Here she’s not holding any gun and it just goes into a blackout, then a male scream, then 2 quick light flashes of Joe with blood on his chest then lights come up with Norma standing on stage solo with blood on her, which she then smears on her neck and chest. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 10:18am

When I saw it, it seemed to be some kind of stabbing assault that they were going for. At least that’s what the sound effects and panting made me think. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 11:01am

On the live London cast recording, it's very clearly gunshots, which isn't the case on Broadway, for some reason.

 

Updated On: 4/10/25 at 11:01 AM

[bwaydreamer]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 11:12am

BrodyFosse123 said: "So what exactly does Norma do to Joe at the end in this production? In the original film and stage production she shoots him 3 times and he falls dead into the pool. Here she’s not holding any gun and it just goes into a blackout, then a male scream, then2 quick light flashes of Joe with blood on his chest then lights come up with Norma standing on stage solo with blood on her, which she then smears on her neck and chest."

If anyone figures this out let us know because it makes no sense beyond shock value, especially the blood all over Nicole and her smearing it.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 11:17am

Apparently those gun shots were added to the London recording as I have a friend who saw the show twice in London and on Broadway and he said both productions are identical. The same ending in London is what is done on Broadway. There are no gun shot sound effects to imply she shoots him. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 1:24pm

They show a gun during the Entr'acte, so the intention is likely a stylized shooting. Nothing else in this production is literal, so that's always been my assumption having seen it twice. The loud bangs are still present if not literal gunshot effects. They are indeed different live than are on the recording, that's true.

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 2:13pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "So what exactly does Norma do to Joe at the end in this production? In the original film and stage production she shoots him 3 times and he falls dead into the pool. Here she’s not holding any gun and it just goes into a blackout, then a male scream, then2 quick light flashes of Joe with blood on his chest then lights come up with Norma standing on stage solo with blood on her, which she then smears on her neck and chest."

It's unclear exactly how she kills Joe, but I assumed the blood smeared around her mouth and running down her chest was supposed to be the result of her literally "kissing his mouth" (i.e., "They bring in his head on a silver tray...She kisses his mouth..." lyric from "Salome") just before, or perhaps immediately after, he expired.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 2:45pm

The Salome callback is 100% why she does that.