SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 61

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 7:41am

shomeika said: "I know this is scheduled to close, and there haven't been any official announcements about what is "next" with it, if anything.

Is there absolutely no way this show could tour, do they not want to do that? Are the video screens too "large"? Aside from the video screens, there isn't much set, does it not seem like it would be easy to pickup and move from city to city?"

Somebody is definitely considering sending it on tour, because Broadway Across America included it in their recent "Please indicate how interested you would be in seeing these shows..." survey email.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 7:42am

It wouldn't be easy since a key part is the walk, which would have to be restaged in every city, and would have to be factored in when selecting which cities and theaters to book. Plus the lighting and sound are complicated, and so key to a show with no set.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 8:27am

“The walk” was impressive because it was happening amidst the hustle and bustle of the theater district in Manhattan. Other than that….it’s filming someone crossing a street and walking outside for three minutes. A fun gimmick, but not much more than that’s 

It’s not a difficult ‘stunt’ elsewhere nor would it take much time to establish a “route” for each stop of said tour. They don’t even make it a block away from the venue for this moment. 

Updated On: 6/26/25 at 08:27 AM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 9:19am

No, the sequence is not just crossing a street and walking for three minutes. It begins within the theater, where half of it takes place, so would have to be rechoreographed for each one (as it was between the three-level Savoy and the seven-level St. James). And yes, they would have to take into consideration the layout of each theater, what's around it, the routes available, and conflicts that may make it difficult to do in each location (on Broadway it's the other shows getting out or having their own intermissions) before booking. And the London and New York productions used the same ensemble member, Shayna McPherson, as the camera operator. They would have to train replacements presuming she doesn't want to go on tour since she's from the UK, who would have to relearn it in each stop.

"The six-minute sequence requires McPherson to walk down those seven flights of stairs — sometimes backward — as well as to navigate the uneven pavement and various other obstacles outside the theater. All the while, she must keep shots perfectly framed while holding a heavy camera rig; a millimeter on her one-inch viewing screen can make a difference of a foot on the theater’s nearly 25-foot-tall LCD screen."

6 Minutes. 62 People. 1 Epic ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Sequence.

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 9:52am

Nothing you’ve said is incredibly difficult to do in a touring format compared to a standalone venue. It’s another step in their logistical planning, sure - but that doesn’t make the actual stunt more difficult to execute than what they’ve already done twice already.
 
I’m curious as to why you think they need to hire and train a new camera operator for each and every stop, as opposed to that person being part of the standard touring company.

Most if not all the venues this hypothetical production would be playing have the space and capability to pull it off, often to an easier extent than what they had to work with in New York. Nevermind the fact that it doesn’t need to replicate the exact way it was done in London or on Broadway, there’s alternate options that can be taken to pull off the staging gimmick if needed. 

It’s a cool moment, I’m not knocking it - it’s just not this overly complicated, game-changing stunt that Lloyd & Co have made it out to be. It’s just a very well done one. 

Updated On: 6/26/25 at 09:52 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 10:29am

It may not be a game-changing stunt, but it is a complicated one. Shutting down the street each night requires city permits, traffic police, a security team, and additional responsibilities from house staff. There are, I’m sure, other little bits of business that make such a complex feat of staging look as simple as it does, and that make keeping that moment intact on tour challenging. Even keeping it all indoors - as they do when there’s particularly inclement weather or they can’t fully shut the street down - is an undertaking that would require rechoreographing for each tour house.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 10:47am

Many touring houses are in areas that would make the walk much less effective- they're not all in bustling downtowns. Some are on college campuses, others are removed from the city center and don't really have much around, others are part of sprawling arts center complexes.  I imagine it would make much less of an impact to have Joe walking through, say, a parking garage or performing arts center lobby or courtyard. What could be effective at Shea's in Buffalo wouldn't necessarily work at the Straz Center in Tampa, though both are major touring houses. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 11:08am

To me, what made it work on Broadway was the stunt of it. He sings "Sure I came out here to make my name..." as he's standing next to a poster with his actor name. And then it's time perfectly for "and if I'm honest, I like the lady" as he's walking up to a poster of Norma/Nicole. It's very meta and works (for me), but like others have said, I don't think the idea would work out of that context because for a lot of people broadway is the end goal so it works with the lyrics. I don't think "Sure I came out here to make my name..." works if you're playing in Tampa. 

Quick Side note: Do they change the poster out in Shubert Alley for the understudy/Mandy performances? 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 11:21am

RippedMan said: "Quick Side note: Do they change the poster out in Shubert Alley for the understudy/Mandy performances?"

For Mandy they have a little placard that they put out in Shubert Alley with her on it (it's the same one they use in the ticket line to inform you it's a "guest star" date.  But for the standbys they just zoom in on his face

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 11:29am

In my opinion, the actual setting of the scene doesn’t matter that much as it completely breaks the fourth wall of the show anyways. I don’t think the Alicia Keys musical was playing in Los Angeles pre-1950, but you see Joe walk directly in front of it.

It’s an interesting creative possibility for the local audience/community attending to see part of their town (just as they love it when a show throws in a local reference that has nothing to do with the show). Again, I’m sure that decision would factor into the tour planning anyways. 

I don’t mean to come off as if I’m passionately fighting for this scene or anything like that. Who knows if they are even seriously considering a tour or repeating that staging. 

I just don’t think the logistics of those six-minutes are enough to be a dealbreaker for the possibility of a tour, as people continue to insist. I also think it undermines the creativity of those involved.

Updated On: 6/26/25 at 11:29 AM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 11:36am

My main issue with the tour is that the show is so clearly built around Nicole and who she is, and it would take some very smart casting to find someone to replicate that (of the three other Normas I saw, only Rashidra Scott felt like she was truly owning the role and not just doing an imitation Nicole).  I do think there are logistics to doing the walk that wouldn't be impossible to work out, but might be a consideration for the creatives to decide if that's something they want to take on or if they'd rather move on to other projects instead (Jamie Lloyd seems to have a lot lined up already).  I could maybe see this being a limited tour of only a few stops (and if so one better be LA!!) but I'm still a little dubious that it would happen at all (thought I'd be excited to see it if it does).

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 11:39am

I think we are all forgetting how built into the space this show is. During the Betty/Joe scenes they are walking around the backstage area, etc. It would have to really be thought out to time everything out so perfectly. And to me one of the thrills was hearing the full orchestra. I would hate to see this trickle down to a Non-Eq Sunset touring show. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 1:16pm

For me if they wanted this to tour, I think the walk and backstage sequence would definitely have to be simplified, and we've been spoiled with how it's done and how well it's gone here in NY.  The sequence at the Savoy seemed far less complicated with Joe basically taking the long way from backstage to the stage by going outside.  There were no streets crossed, there wasn't massive amounts of street traffic to contend with since it was just the Savoy Hotel/theatre and it was only Tom Francis (Joe Gillis) involved  I would think by now that they've worked out the technology and logistics they could work it out to do something similar that will be albeit less dramatic than we've seen in NY, but still a feat that raises the interest and excitement that opens Act II

I was there yesterday for my 5th visit (possibly/probably my last before it closes :( ) and it's amazing to see how post-Tony's the extra excitement in the audience.  Loud and sustained applauses when Tom first emerges from the body bag; when Nicole's face first appears during "the car chase scene."  It's been awesome to see how the show started off pretty hot to begin with, but is ending on a sizzling note for sure.  And Jordan Donica as Max was phenomenal.  I was worried how it might affect the chemistry, but you would never have known he just joined the cast two weeks ago.  (My friend who was with me seeing it for the first time confirmed that for me) 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 1:39pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I just don’t think the logistics ofthose six-minutesare enough to be a dealbreaker forthe possibility of a tour, aspeople continue to insist. I also think it undermines the creativity of those involved."

I don't think anyone's claiming it's a dealbreaker. This all began with shomeika asking: 

"Is there absolutely no way this show could tour, do they not want to do that?  Are the video screens too "large"?  Aside from the video screens, there isn't much set, does it not seem like it would be easy to pickup and move from city to city?"

I responded it wouldn't be easy because of the logistics of the walk, as well as the complex sound and lighting design that are so vital for the space and carry so much in the absence of a set that would have to be carefully replicated in each theater. 

You said the walk would be totally easy to restage everywhere, and the conversation moved into a discussion of how easy it is, but this originally started with the question of whether it would be totally easy for the show to tour because it has no set...but no, simply having no set wouldn't make it easy. There are technical aspects that complicate things. Not saying they're dealbreakers. Just that the absence of a set alone wouldn't make it easy for the show to tour.

Updated On: 6/26/25 at 01:39 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 3:08pm

Grace Hodgett Young will depart on the 13th, and Sydney Jones will play Betty for the final week.

Updated On: 7/2/25 at 03:08 PM

[sparklingtonic2]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 11:50pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Grace Hodgett Young will depart on the 13th, and Sydney Jones will play Betty for the final week."

She was fantastic tonight. I was a little sad she didn’t get a more enthusiastic welcome when she first appeared onstage. (My attempt to start a round of applause pretty much failed.) But they seemed to appreciate her by the end.

Updated On: 7/2/25 at 11:50 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:45pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Grace Hodgett Young will depart on the 13th, and Sydney Jones will play Betty for the final week."

While I'm all for seeing new faces in these roles, I'll admit I'm surprised that I won't be able see 3 out of 4 of the main faces I saw previously.

[chernjam]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:48pm

everythingtaboo said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Grace Hodgett Young will depart on the 13th, and Sydney Jones will play Betty for the final week."

While I'm all for seeing new faces in these roles, I'll admit I'm surprised that I won't be able see 3 out of 4 of the main faces I saw previously."

I've seen Sidney twice out of the 5 times I've went and I really preferred her voice and acting to Grace.  David Thaxton was hard to beat, but I most certainly did not feel jipped in any way by Jordan.  Haven't seen anyone other than Nicole and Tom as Norma and Joe, so if I can sneak in one more time (and prices are a bit more reasonable) I'll be able to catch Pierre as Joe.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:48pm

Crazy to think that come the final performance it will be solely Nicole for the original principal cast.

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:53pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "Crazy to think that come the final performance it will be solely Nicole for the original principal cast."

And she will shine brightly in the spotlight. Still think its going to be a great final performance.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:54pm

chernjam said: "everythingtaboo said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Grace Hodgett Young will depart on the 13th, and Sydney Jones will play Betty for the final week."

While I'm all for seeing new faces in these roles, I'll admit I'm surprised that I won't be able see 3 out of 4 of the main faces I saw previously."

I've seen Sidney twice out of the 5 times I've went and I really preferred her voice and acting to Grace. David Thaxton was hard to beat, but I most certainly did not feel jipped in any way by Jordan. Haven't seen anyone other than Nicole and Tom as Norma and Joe, so if I can sneak in one more time (and prices are a bit more reasonable) I'll be able to catch Pierre as Joe."

Yeah, I would be more than happy to NOT see Grace when I’m seeing this production one last time next week. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:58pm

Huss417 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Crazy to think that come the final performance it will be solely Nicole for the original principal cast."

And she will shine brightly in the spotlight. Still think its going to be a great final performance."

 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 1:58pm

Huss417 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Crazy to think that come the final performance it will be solely Nicole for the original principal cast."

And she will shine brightly in the spotlight. Still think its going to be a great final performance."

Oh, no doubt about that in my mind! Believe me!!

[lastmidnights]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 2:23pm

spicemonkey said: "chernjam said: "I've seen Sidney twice out of the 5 times I've went and I really preferred her voice and acting to Grace. David Thaxton was hard to beat, but I most certainly did not feel jipped in any way by Jordan. Haven't seen anyone other than Nicole and Tom as Norma and Joe, so if I can sneak in one more time (and prices are a bit more reasonable) I'll be able to catch Pierre as Joe."
Saw Sydney last week. Beautiful voice, but Grace is superior for the on-camera parts. Especially during the driving scene at the end, I felt Sydney was overacting. A small thing, and I imagine something not easy to learn, especially with the limited rehearsals understudies get.

I didn't think it was possible, but I slightly preferred Jordan Donica's Max. I went back specifically to see him, but wasn't expecting him to be such a standout. Thaxton's Max was perfection, but Donica is just as good, if not better. 

I saw Diego Rodriguez as Joe and was underwhelmed in the first act; I felt he was very wooden, but he also seemed way too young, which didn't help. I think the wooden thing works better for Francis because you believe he has lived some life in the industry and has become jaded by it. Rodriguez looked 16 or 17, younger than Betty. However, he didn't struggle at all with the camera element, and he won me over in the second act. 

I am excited to see Marais, since I've heard only good things, but also wish we could have Francis for longer. He is made for this role and this production. 

[sparklingtonic2]

Posted: 7/3/25 at 2:58pm

lastmidnights said: "…
I didn't think it was possible, but I slightly preferred Jordan Donica's Max. I went back specifically to see him, but wasn't expecting him to be such a standout. Thaxton's Max was perfection, but Donica is just as good, if not better. …”

I was blown away by Donica’s voice. However, I thought he looked too young (couldn’t they have added a few white streaks to his hair?). Also, in my opinion, Thaxton is the superior actor. In Act 2, Thaxton’s Max basically ripped his heart out and left out on the floor, while Donica’s just sort of hunched over and shuffled off stage when his time there was over. Even in Act I, I thought Thaxton was better — he just dripped disdain. I’m glad I got a chance to see Donica, and I hope to see him again in other roles, but for Max, I’d pick Thaxton any day. 

lastmidnights said: " …
I am excited to see Marais, since I've heard only good things, but also wish we could have Francis for longer. He is made for this role and this production."

1000% agree. I like Darren Criss, but I wish Francis had taken home the Tony. He’s sensational in this role, and it really says something that he can hold the spotlight so powerfully alongside the amazing Scherzinger. Hope to see him back on Broadway soon.

Updated On: 7/3/25 at 02:58 PM