SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 58

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 7:51am

Yes, as noted above, Nicole, Tom, and Grace were all out, and with a brand-new Max in his second day of performances, it would have been like seeing a completely different cast. Someone on Reddit reported Pierre saying at the stage door it was exhaustion after the past week (and all leading up to them). I don't know if he just meant Tom or all of them, but completely understandable and common for all shows (the RWHC leads were out Tuesday before returning last night). It makes sense for shows that won big to hold on for the post-Tonys show before taking the much-needed break. Likely nothing more than that. (Especially since Tom also took the matinee off, but Nicole and Grace were only out the evening.)

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 8:52am

binau said: "There is a YouTube video that claims to be Nicole's Post-Tony 'As If We Never Said Goodbye'. If so Nicole's vocals are is such amazing shape at the moment (as they were for the Tonys, I am always a little afraid about this because it will become the record that then judges the performance, such as CZJ's 'Send in the Clowns' - but Nicole absolutely killed the Tony performance).

Which does shock me because Nicole's voice has probably had a lot of strain at the moment (she has missed two performances in the last week, alone and only missed 3-4 in total).I admit that OF COURSE while her 'homeeeee at last' notes are always prettyconsistent I do think she ranges from about 97-100% from various clips and lives performances I have seen of hers and it seems to be 99-100% at the moment.

I find it striking in the clip how amazingly perfectly refined the opening notes of the song are - she is just ever so skating outside the beat and opens with such vulnerability and expressive dynamics. This kind of control and dynamic range is something that I typically have only associated with someone like Bernadette Peters, but unlikely Bernadette Nicole also clearly has much more power and belt too.

Nicole's voice is like a cross between Judy Garland and Whitney Houston. It is one in a million."

Can't seem to find the video. Any suggestions?

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 9:00am

To those who have seen Mr. Donica as Max, I'm aware that he has a wonderful voice, but what is his presence like? Does he read too young to have been the man who was married to Norma and "made her a star"?

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 9:37am

MemorableUserName said: "Did you take the refund to rebook for a later date? No offense to Rashidra Scott and the other understudies, but having Nicole, Tom, and Grace all out (especially the first two) would make rescheduling seem like the best option. (A lot of absences today. Audra was the only Lead Actress in a musical nominee who went on.)"

Yea I got my refund and rebooked. I was taking my mom for her second time and she's a big fan of Tom Francis in the show so that played a factor as well. We're going the 4th of July weekend now so fingers crossed Nicole and Tom will be on :)

[inception]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 9:58am

When I look at 30 year old Mr. Donica I feel like I'm looking in a mirror* so I believe he can pass for 50 something. 

Lot666 said: "To those who have seen Mr. Donica as Max, I'm aware that he has a wonderful voice, but what is his presence like? Does he read too young to have been the man who was married to Norma and "made her a star"?"

* after my second face lift LOL

 

Updated On: 6/12/25 at 09:58 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 10:02am

Lot666 said: "To those who have seen Mr. Donica as Max, I'm aware that he has a wonderful voice, but what is his presence like? Does he read too young to have been the man who was married to Norma and "made her a star"?"

Definitely did not read too young, in my opinion. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 10:06am

I wouldn’t necessarily say he doesn’t read too young. He for sure reads as younger than Norma, or at least around the same age. Honestly, given how lumbering and Lurch-like his physicality is, I justified the age difference by thinking Norma killed him a long time ago and he’s reanimated somehow. If Norma’s some kind of vampire, it could make sense.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 10:17am

ColorTheHours048 said: "I wouldn’t necessarily say he doesn’t read too young. He for sure reads as younger than Norma, or at least around the same age. Honestly, given how lumbering and Lurch-like his physicality is, I justified the age difference by thinking Norma killed him a long time ago and he’s reanimated somehow. If Norma’s some kind of vampire, it could make sense."

Exactly this. To me, the entire conceit of this production is so abstract and nightmarish that his age didn’t even register or cause pause for me. 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 10:53am

First I have to say that I don't even like "Sunset" as a musical, except for Norma's two solos, and yet this production is, so to speak, flawless that I would put around top 5 things I've seen on Broadway. It's the sheer example of the disruptive way that an artist is capable of doing when he deconstructs something that already exists, having a clear vision of what he wants to say.

The lighting design and costumes are striking as they evoke black and white cinema on the stage, and the use of camera/video on a play has never been more accurate than on a SUNSET BOULEVARD adaptation, everything is as if each scene had been thought out down to the smallest detail. In many ways I caught myself thinking ''wow, he thought of doing that angle?'', it's just perfection.

And Lloyd knows how to handle the cynicism of the text, preserving the comic moments that beautifully expand the show. And what more can we say about the opening of the second act? One of the most thrillin experiences that I had in a theater and the actor is not even in it during most of the time.

Tom Francis and Nicole Scherzinger form a duo that understands the corrosive nuances of their characters, and play on stage with impeccable chemistry. He shows palpable maturity at 25 years old, becoming a really trouble man right in front of our eyes, and his voice is amazing.

Nicole is outstanding, she delivers something anthological. It is impossible to get past her Norma unscathed. And I mean that almost literally, when in the end Norma becomes anything but a human being in the final scene, you know you have witnessed something unique, something impeccable in contemporary theatrical language - I think the german language of expressionism really comes to play.

That last moment will live in my mind forever. She is more than ready for her close-up, we are not.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 11:21am

FANtomFollies said: "MemorableUserName said: "Did you take the refund to rebook for a later date? No offense to Rashidra Scott and the other understudies, but having Nicole, Tom, and Grace all out (especially the first two) would make rescheduling seem like the best option. (A lot of absences today. Audra was the only Lead Actress in a musical nominee who went on.)"

Yea I got my refund and rebooked. I was taking my mom for her second time and she's a big fan of Tom Francis in the show so that played a factor as well. We're going the 4th of July weekend now so fingers crossed Nicole and Tom will be on :)"

Did they send you email before you went to the theatre? I’ve a ticket for tonight. As I’ve already seen this production several times, including one time with Rashidra, I would love to see Nicole one last time as Norma. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 1:26pm

They sent an email at 6pm (yesterdays show was an 8pm curtain). Good luck!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 1:28pm

Seeing this tonight. Previously have seen it before too. I'm hoping for Nicole, but if she's out, I wonder if they'd refund me, but could I then just purchase a cheaper ticket to see the understudies? 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 1:31pm

Yes, someone on Reddit confirmed they did exactly that last night (and got a ticket for $100 less than they'd originally paid).

[ER765]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 4:47pm

As of now, looks like Grace and Jordan are out this evening. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 4:49pm

That was fast. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:01pm

Jordan Catalano said: "That was fast."

It was posted I think two days ago on the sunset update Instagram he would be out

Grace always calls out 

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:04pm

WldKingdomHM said: "Jordan Catalano said: "That was fast."

It was posted I think two days ago on the sunset update Instagram he would be out

Grace always calls out"

The six times I have seen it Three with Grace and Three with Sydney.

Not sure if anyone else has seen both but I much preferred Sydney.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:12pm

Huss417 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Jordan Catalano said: "That was fast."

It was posted I think two days ago on the sunset update Instagram he would be out

Grace always calls out"

The six times I have seen it Three with Grace and Three with Sydney.

Not sure if anyone else has seen both but I much preferred Sydney."

I’ve seen both! They’re both great - Sydney was wonderful. One of my friends also saw her go on for Young Norma and said she was fantastic. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:15pm

Ive never seen an u/s on for Grace - I’d be curious what she’s like if I get a chance before this ends. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:16pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Huss417 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Jordan Catalano said: "That was fast."

It was posted I think two days ago on the sunset update Instagram he would be out

Grace always calls out"

The six times I have seen it Three with Grace and Three with Sydney.

Not sure if anyone else has seen both but I much preferred Sydney."

I’ve seen both! They’re both great - Sydney was wonderful. One of my friends also saw her go on for Young Norma and said she was fantastic."

That's interesting. I Didn't realize she also covered Young Norma. 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:17pm

Huss417 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Jordan Catalano said: "That was fast."

It was posted I think two days ago on the sunset update Instagram he would be out

Grace always calls out"

The six times I have seen it Three with Grace and Three with Sydney.

Not sure if anyone else has seen both but I much preferred Sydney."

I’ve seen three Betty now, including the understudy in West End (Grace called out both times when I saw the show there). Grace is my least favorite, I just can’t stand her voice at all. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:28pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Ive never seen an u/s on for Grace - I’d be curious what she’s like if I get a chance before this ends."

I much prefer Sydney's singing. Hopefully you will get the chance.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:58pm

ER765 said: "As of now, looks like Grace and Jordan are out this evening."

Did not care for her voice either, so I'm excited to see an understudy tonight. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:31pm

ER765 said: "As of now, looks like Grace and Jordan are out this evening."

 

He's already calling out and just started on Tuesday  Don't fret Shavey Brown is on as Max and he's terrific!!!

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:44pm

As was pointed out, he didn't call out. It was a planned absence announced at least two days ago:

https://www.instagram.com/sunsetblvdupdates/p/DKvL0q-uGES/