SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 47

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/16/25 at 12:09am

Yes I am in the camp that thinks this production is staged for Nicole and all her strengths. I’ve also seen it with Rachel Tucker and Caroline Bowman and they both tried to emulate a lot of whst Nicole did and some worked, some didn’t. I don’t know how Mandy was directed in this but I felt she actively pushed away from a lot of the “Nicole-isms” and ended up giving a really grounded Norma. I’d say it’s the closest performance to a traditional take on the role I’ve seen in Jamie Lloyd’s version and it was actually refreshing to me. Obviously there are things she can’t do because of the staging and the cuts but using what she had, it was the most “realistic” Norma I’ve seen.  And again I think that’s because all the added stuff (that works mostly for Nicole), Mandy did her best to avoid. 

Updated On: 4/16/25 at 12:09 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/16/25 at 12:10am

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/16/25 at 12:12am

Jordan Catalano said: "Yes I am in the camp that thinksthis production is staged for Nicole and all her strengths. I’ve also seen it with Rachel Tucker and Caroline Bowman and they both tried toemulate a lot of whst Nicole did and some worked, some didn’t. I don’t know how Mandy was directed in this but I felt she actively pushed away from a lot of the “Nicole-isms” and ended up giving a really grounded Norma. I’d say it’s the closest performance to a traditional take on the role I’ve seen in Jamie Lloyd’s version and it was actually refreshing to me. Obviously there are things she can’t do because of the staging and the cuts but using what she had, it was the most “realistic” Norma I’ve seen."

Thanks!