SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 62

[lastmidnights]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 12:41am

They have had Jordan Donica start powdering his beard to make it look whiter. I'm sure they made this change this week. In the previous weeks, I remember wondering why they hadn't done anything to make him look older. He still looks very young on camera, especially given the angle at which he holds his face and the close-up shots.

Grace Hodgett Young was struggling a lot tonight. It's sad to watch. I hope she gets some help as she is so young and so talented. 

Tom grabbed Nicole's hand tonight in the last scene in Act I faster than I've ever seen him or anyone do it before. He barely even looked back, played it like it was a no-brainer to stay with her. 

Nicole cried during the end of As If We Never Said Goodbye. She gets better and better every time. And my wallet gets emptier and emptier.

[lastmidnights]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 1:19am

Also, I came out of tonight wondering why Stephanie J Block was not the alternate. I truly think she could've been a perfect Tuesday Norma, like Donna Murphy with Dolly. Gonzalez was not my cup of tea. Is Block too big a name for something like that? I do think the show is so specific to Nicole that I very well might have been dissatisfied with whoever they got

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 2:36am

lastmidnights said: "Also, I came out of tonight wondering why Stephanie J Block was not the alternate. I truly think she could've been a perfect Tuesday Norma, like Donna Murphy with Dolly. Gonzalez was not my cup of tea. Is Block too big a name for something like that? I do think the show is so specific to Nicole that I very well might have been dissatisfied with whoever they got"

Cause Stephanie would of been all wrong for this production. If they wanted someone they should of got Lena Hall

if you want Stephanie in a show she would be perfect in Death Becomes Her 

Updated On: 7/6/25 at 02:36 AM

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 5:28am

lastmidnights said: "Also, I came out of tonight wondering why Stephanie J Block was not the alternate. I truly think she could've been a perfect Tuesday Norma, like Donna Murphy with Dolly. Gonzalez was not my cup of tea. Is Block too big a name for something like that? I do think the show is so specific to Nicole that I very well might have been dissatisfied with whoever they got"

I adore Block but she wouldn’t have been good in this. She played the role previously and based on videos from that production she just… wasn’t good. It was like she was making fun of the original production with her acting choices. 
 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 7:45am

lastmidnights said: "

Grace Hodgett Young was struggling a lot tonight. It's sad to watch. I hope she gets some help as she is so young and so talented.

"

Grace has been struggling A LOT every time I saw her in this show (3 out of 6 times). Her vocal is just so bad. Even on the live recording, i cannot stand her first line "I reeeeaad, one of your storiiies". 

From this and Hadestown, I hope she takes a long break and gets some improvement before returning to stage again. It would be a blessing to the audience. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 11:39am

spicemonkey said: "lastmidnights said: "

Grace Hodgett Young was struggling a lot tonight. It's sad to watch. I hope she gets some help as she is so young and so talented.

"

Grace has been struggling A LOT every time I saw her in this show (3 out of 6 times). Her vocal is just so bad. Even on the live recording, i cannot stand her first line "I reeeeaad, one of your storiiies".

From this and Hadestown, I hope she takes a long break and gets some improvement before returning to stage again. It would be a blessing to the audience."

I was there last night and am also very worried for her voice. I hope there is no permanent damage. I also want to say even with some vocal issues, she is still giving a fantastic performance and I just love her as Betty. 

[lastmidnights]

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

FANtomFollies said: "I was there last night and am also very worried for her voice. I hope there is no permanent damage. I also want to say even with some vocal issues, she is still giving a fantastic performance and I just love her as Betty."

Yes. I completely agree. This is not an issue of "not liking" her voice. She was croaking out some of the words, really struggling to stay on pitch during parts. I think it was particularly on the low notes? The high notes she sounded pretty good on. She sounds completely different from the cast recording. The friend I was with didn't notice it until after I pointed it out during intermission, and actually really liked her. It was deeply concerning for me and I hope if something is wrong it's temporary and/or she can get help

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 12:56pm

Speaking of vocals, a Jordan Donica audio clip just landed on YT and he sounds brilliant. I hope his attendance record for the remaining shows stays good, the audience would benefit from it. 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/9/25 at 11:37pm

Something extraordinary happened during tonight’s performance. 

Not very far into AIWNSG, it seemed like Nicole got a lump in her throat and began to cough a bit. You could almost feel the audience lean forward to see if she would restart the song or go into a coughing fit. She kept it together, cleared her throat a couple of times, and then she held that note for no less than 15 seconds, to which the entire orchestra leapt to their feet, applauding all the way through “with so much to live for…”

A prolonged standing ovation MID-SONG.

It was absolutely electric and palpable. That ever-elusive, ever-rare feeling of a fully engaged audience assuring a performer that they’re in good hands and vice versa. 

It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget, honestly. 

The show is in great shape. Pierre is a very strong Joe. He, too, got a standing O after the title song. 

Could’ve done without the audience member who loudly and obnoxiously “whooped” during the mad scene, in response to Norma asking if she could say a few words…but not going to let one bad apple taint an otherwise perfect audience. 

This production is brilliant. I’ve said it before, but it’ll be sorely missed after July 20.

Updated On: 7/11/25 at 11:37 PM

[chernjam]

Posted: 7/9/25 at 11:46pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Something extraordinary happened during tonight’s performance. Just as she was about to start AIWNSG, it seemed like Nicole got a lump in her throat and began to cough a bit. You could almost feel the audience lean forward to see if she would restart the song or go into a coughing fit. She kept it together, cleared her throat a couple of times, and then she held that note for no less than 15 seconds, to which the entire orchestra leapt to their feet. A standing ovation MID-SONG. It was absolutely electric. That ever-elusivefeeling of a fully engaged audience assuring aperformer that they’re in good hands and vice versa.

It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget, honestly.

The show is in great shape. Pierre is a very strong Joe. He, too, got a standing O after the title song.

This show is brilliant. I’ve said it before, but it’ll be sorely missed after July 20."

I'm absolutely in awe of Nicole... when I saw this my second time in December, I could tell she was fighting something (having been listening to the recording non stop I could tell that they had lowered the key for With One Look) but when she settled into that song, she soared and from the reaction of the audience, she amazed them as well.  

I'm with you - not prepared for July 20th (and trying to get in for at least one more visit)

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/10/25 at 4:46pm

Final performance tickets are currently $1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/10/25 at 4:53pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Final performance tickets are currently$1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good."


It was on TDF for months so I guess it’s just about priorities.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 7/10/25 at 4:59pm

I'm all for affordable tickets but final performances are an Event, so I don't think it's crazy to hike them up for this (and you probably would've paid much less if you got them when they first went on sale, or if your tickets were automatically moved when the show extended).  I'd be more concerned if that was the case for every regular show in the run.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/10/25 at 5:48pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Final performance tickets are currently$1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good."

The precedent has already been set. Maybe you don’t remember the pricing of the final weeks of Merrily We Roll Along. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 4:43am

BorisTomashevsky said: "Final performance tickets are currently$1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good."

Wait...Mr. Capitalism has a problem with market forces?!

[bear88]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 5:30am

I find it difficult to get too worked up about the cost of the final performance. Even now, if I wanted to see Sunset Blvd. during the last few shows, I could find perfectly decent seats for prices that are higher -  but not absurdly higher - than what I paid in early April for a Wednesday matinee when it was at the TKTS booth every day.

It’s one thing when you can never get a reasonable price for a decent seat. That’s discouraging for anyone who doesn’t live in New York City and can’t plan far in advance.

Sunset Blvd.? People have had months and months to buy bargain tickets. If they want to see the very last show, they’re paying - as chrishuyen points out - to be part of an exclusive event. That’s either worth big bucks or it’s not.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 7:20am

TheatreMonkey said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "Final performance tickets are currently$1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good."

Wait...Mr. Capitalism has a problem with market forces?!"

This is beyond market forces. This is the emperor, in his new clothes, overestimating his worth. 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 7:37am

BorisTomashevsky said: "TheatreMonkey said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "Final performance tickets are currently$1100 for mid orchestra and $250 for rear mezzanine. These precedents are not good."

Wait...Mr. Capitalism has a problem with market forces?!"

This is beyond market forces. This is the emperor, in his new clothes, overestimating his worth."

Thanks for that word salad but if they "overestimate their worth" then dynamic pricing will go the other direction and tickets will lower. 

[MusicalGuy3]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 9:19am

These are sophisticated computer algorithms that match supply and demand, adjusting as dynamics shift.  They exist because producers/investors lose money on 4/5 Broadway productions, and because theater rents and NY unions have made the economics of producing on Broadway a daunting task.  When producers cut the cost of set design or other elements to keep prices lower, we focus on the cheapness of the set design rather than the relative affordability of the ticket. Sadly, it has created an environment where potential audiences are priced out, producers/investors are losing lots of money, particularly on new work, and chat boards turn the livelihood of hundreds of people into a parlor game, anticipating when a show that just opened will close.  Sunset has had plenty of affordable tickets during its run, and that remains true for some remaining performances before it closes.  Hope those that still want to see Sunset before it closes can do so, it is a brilliant piece IMO. 

 

[binau]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 10:39am

Exactly. Sunset has been in a large theatre with plenty of availability for over 6 months with multiple ways to get affordable tickets in good locations. I don’t think it reflects anything wrong with Broadway - quite the opposite. If people want to spend $1,000 for the final performance that’s on them. I suspect these final few weeks have and will contribute majorly towards recoupment after months of mediocre sales. Good on them. 

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 10:46am

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Something extraordinary happened during tonight’s performance.

Just as she was about to start AIWNSG, it seemed like Nicole got a lump in her throat and began to cough a bit. You could almost feel the audience lean forward to see if she would restart the song or go into a coughing fit. She kept it together, cleared her throat a couple of times, and then sheheld that note for no less than 15 seconds, to which the entire orchestra leapt to their feet, applauding all the way through “with so much to live for…”

A prolonged standing ovation MID-SONG.

It was absolutely electric and palpable. That ever-elusive, ever-rare feeling of a fully engaged audience assuring aperformer that they’re in good hands and vice versa.

It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget, honestly.

The show is in great shape. Pierre is a very strong Joe. He, too, got a standing O after the title song.

Could’ve done without the audience member who loudly and obnoxiously “whooped” during the mad scene, in response to Norma asking if she could say a few words…but not going to let one bad apple taint an otherwise perfect audience.

This productionis brilliant. I’ve said it before, but it’ll be sorely missed after July 20."

I was at this same performance and was completely in awe of how she pulled off the song after the coughing. Her holding that note for upwards of 20 seconds - and then finishing the phrase with no breath - is something I won't soon forget. Also, her final sequence was extra fiery and intense, and even scarier than my previous visits. Her performance is truly something to behold, and I feel honored that I got to witness her brilliant work.

Have to also agree with some of the audience behavior - from the front mezzanine, the "whooping" was extra self-indulgent at this performance, especially during the moment mentioned above at the end of the show. Ridiculous.

[ER765]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 12:16pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Something extraordinary happened during tonight’s performance.

Not very far into AIWNSG, it seemed like Nicole got a lump in her throat and began to cough a bit. You could almost feel the audience lean forward to see if she would restart the song or go into a coughing fit. She kept it together, cleared her throat a couple of times, and then sheheld that note for no less than 15 seconds, to which the entire orchestra leapt to their feet, applauding all the way through “with so much to live for…”

A prolonged standing ovation MID-SONG.

It was absolutely electric and palpable. That ever-elusive, ever-rare feeling of a fully engaged audience assuring aperformer that they’re in good hands and vice versa.

It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget, honestly.

The show is in great shape. Pierre is a very strong Joe. He, too, got a standing O after the title song.

Could’ve done without the audience member who loudly and obnoxiously “whooped” during the mad scene, in response to Norma asking if she could say a few words…but not going to let one bad apple taint an otherwise perfect audience.

This productionis brilliant. I’ve said it before, but it’ll be sorely missed after July 20."

I was there as well. The way you described it alone gave me chills all over again.

It was truly an unforgettable moment. Thrilling. 

Updated On: 7/11/25 at 12:16 PM

[SeymourInBrooklyn]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 10:59pm

Just left tonight’s performance—this was my second Sunset Boulevard experience. It’s not that I was necessarily in love with it the first time, but I realize it’s closing soon and felt like it was such an event of the season that I wanted to experience it one last time.

Nicole was magnetic as always, though I will say she added a few more verbal and physical ad libs that felt anachronistic, and I personally found them distracting. The show opens with “1949” flashed on the screen—I just wish they’d commit more clearly in one direction: they’re either playing it in that era or they’re not. I think I said this in my first review, but I wish she trusted herself—or that Lloyd trusted her—enough to find humor without relying on “bits” like cheeky vocal fry.

That said, she had me back in the second act, and her performance in the final scene was even scarier than I remember. She got two standing ovations that I saw from the mezzanine: “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”

Jordan Donica is just delicious—my jaw dropped at several of his vocals. Pierre Marais was excellent too, with a great voice and a very sympathetic portrayal. Grace Hodgett Young seems to be losing her voice? Her upper register was fine, but something is definitely going on.

I think it can be easy to roll one’s eyes at all the video/projection work, but the quality of the imagery is just stunning—and damn if that wall of red during the climax of the chase (post–“The Phone Call”) didn’t make my heart race, despite knowing it was coming.

The audience? Could’ve been worse, but still not great. Definitely some gratuitous whoopers who started cheering while she was still singing in “With One Look,” though they improved by the end of Act I. More offensive were the two (!!) phone rings during the last scene.

[sparklingtonic2]

Posted: 7/11/25 at 11:42pm

SeymourInBrooklyn said: "Just left tonight’s performance—this was my second Sunset Boulevard experience. It’s not that I was necessarily in love with it the first time, but I realize it’s closing soon and felt like it was such an event of the season that I wanted to experience it one last time.

Nicole was magnetic as always, though I will say she added a few more verbal and physical ad libs that felt anachronistic, and I personally found them distracting. The show opens with “1949” flashed on the screen—I just wish they’d commit more clearly in one direction: they’re either playing it in that era or they’re not. I think I said this in my first review, but I wish she trusted herself—or that Lloyd trusted her—enough to find humor without relying on “bits” like cheeky vocal fry.

That said, she had me back in the second act, and her performance in the final scene was even scarier than I remember. She got two standing ovations that I saw from the mezzanine: “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”

Jordan Donica is just delicious—my jaw dropped at several of his vocals. Pierre Marais was excellent too, with a great voice and a very sympathetic portrayal. Grace Hodgett Young seems to be losing her voice? Her upper register was fine, but something is definitely going on.

I think it can be easy to roll one’s eyes at all the video/projection work, but the quality of the imagery is just stunning—and damn if that wall of red during the climax of the chase (post–“The Phone Call&rdquo didn’t make my heart race, despite knowing it was coming.

The audience? Could’ve been worse, but still not great. Definitely some gratuitous whoopers who started cheering while she was still singing in “With One Look,” though they improved by the end of Act I. More offensive were the two (!!) phone rings during the last scene."

omg, the last time I saw it, a guy’s phone went off during the last part of “No One Ever Leaves a Star,” when the theater is stone silent except for Norma’s unhinged ramblings. And he let it ring until it went to voicemail! 

Updated On: 7/12/25 at 11:42 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/12/25 at 12:39am

singerunlimited said: "WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Something extraordinary happened during tonight’s performance.

Just as she was about to start AIWNSG, it seemed like Nicole got a lump in her throat and began to cough a bit. You could almost feel the audience lean forward to see if she would restart the song or go into a coughing fit. She kept it together, cleared her throat a couple of times, and then sheheld that note for no less than 15 seconds, to which the entire orchestra leapt to their feet, applauding all the way through “with so much to live for…”

A prolonged standing ovation MID-SONG.

It was absolutely electric and palpable. That ever-elusive, ever-rare feeling of a fully engaged audience assuring aperformer that they’re in good hands and vice versa.

It was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget, honestly.

The show is in great shape. Pierre is a very strong Joe. He, too, got a standing O after the title song.

Could’ve done without the audience member who loudly and obnoxiously “whooped” during the mad scene, in response to Norma asking if she could say a few words…but not going to let one bad apple taint an otherwise perfect audience.

This productionis brilliant. I’ve said it before, but it’ll be sorely missed after July 20."

I was at this same performance and was completely in awe of how she pulled off the song after the coughing. Her holding that note for upwards of 20 seconds - and then finishing the phrase with no breath - is something I won't soon forget. Also, her final sequence was extra fiery and intense, and even scarier than my previous visits. Her performance is truly something to behold, and I feel honored that I got to witness her brilliant work.

Have to also agree with some of the audience behavior - from the front mezzanine, the "whooping" was extra self-indulgent at this performance, especially during the moment mentioned above at the end of the show. Ridiculous."

I’m still thinking about it. What a moment. 

And I’m all for a good “whoo!” or “bravo!” at the appropriate time. I love a lively audience. That specific moment, however, is NOT the time. Nicole played it perfectly though - she seemed to look in their general direction, without breaking, and deliver the next couple of lines directly to them. Terrifying and chilling. Loved it.