SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 63

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 7/13/25 at 7:58am

Is the rumor that Sunset would go back to London for a very short run still in the mix? Or does it seem less likely now? I wonder if they will announce at the final performance like they did in London with the Bway transfer.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 7/14/25 at 2:41pm

Nicole scheduled for "Seth Meyers" tonight.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/14/25 at 3:00pm

MezzA101 said: "Nicole scheduled for "Seth Meyers" tonight."

The show is on hiatus -- it's all reruns this week.

 EDIT:  Sorry my mistake.  The show is back from hiatus this week.

 

Updated On: 7/14/25 at 03:00 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 7/14/25 at 4:47pm

JSquared2 said: "MezzA101 said: "Nicole scheduled for "Seth Meyers" tonight."

The show is on hiatus -- it's all reruns this week.

Tonight's episode is NEW and Nicole is scheduled. 

https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/late-night-with-seth-meyers/tv-listings/1000616723/

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 12:03am

Quick review for tonights performance, audience was very responsive but mostly respectful (thankfully), though it was clear a good number weren't regular theatergoers.

I LOVED Sidney Jones, I thought she was a very smart actress with her scenes and had a very clear concept of who she wanted Betty to be.  I know other people have said this production actually figured out Betty, but I never felt that and always thought Betty was the weak link in the show.  Sidney absolutely figured out how to make Betty work in this production, and she did great work with Pierre Marais especially.

Pierre plays a pretty different Joe from Tom Francis (it's my first time seeing someone else as Joe and I'm sad that I missed Diego's performance in the role).  He doesn't have as much of the deadpan and the casual disdain, but I found him more emotionally volatile--it seems like there's a current of real anger running beneath the surface rather than Tom's more angsty brooding.  He could still be quite tender in some of the scenes with Nicole though, and I felt I could better understand why he stayed with her and what drew him in.

I liked Jordan Donica a lot as well, his songs are gorgeous even if he doesn't have quite the looming presence of David Thaxton.  I doubt anyone who hasn't seen Thaxton would really know they were missing anything though.  As someone else mentioned, he didn't play the same kind of anguish at the end, but instead chose a colder persona for Max to walk off stage.

I'll admit I was a bit disappointed at Brandon Lavar as Artie.  He's a talented performer but just seemed miscast in this, as he didn't really seem to mesh with the rest of the show in his interpretation of Artie, especially opposite Sidney and Pierre who I thought were doing much more nuanced work.

Nicole as always was in fine form, I love the way she plays around with her camera moments and how she always keeps you guessing a bit as to how she'll play the scene this time.  I'm glad to have seen it one last time and to still get new choices to chew on.

[binau]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 2:43am

FANtomFollies said: "Is the rumor that Sunset would go back to London for a very short run still in the mix? Or does it seem less likely now? I wonder if they will announce at the final performance like they did in London with the Bway transfer."

Apparently ALW said in a radio interview recently that it was unlikely to go back to London, so all rumours of that have now died. I mean, I still think anything is possible but my current assumption is that New York City is the end of the road. 

[windowwaving]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 8:54am

chrishuyen said: "Quick review for tonights performance, audience was very responsive but mostly respectful (thankfully), though it was clear a good number weren't regular theatergoers.

I LOVED Sidney Jones, I thought she was a very smart actress with her scenes and had a very clear concept of who she wanted Betty to be. I know other people have said this production actually figured out Betty, but I never felt that and always thought Betty was the weak link in the show. Sidney absolutely figured out how to make Betty work in this production, and she did great work with Pierre Marais especially.

Pierre plays a pretty different Joe from Tom Francis (it's my first time seeing someone else as Joe and I'm sad that I missed Diego's performance in the role). He doesn't have as much of the deadpan and the casual disdain, but I found him more emotionally volatile--it seems like there's a current of real anger running beneath the surface rather than Tom's more angsty brooding. He could still be quite tender in some of the scenes with Nicole though, and I felt I could better understand why he stayed with her and what drew him in.

I liked Jordan Donica a lot as well, his songs are gorgeous even if he doesn't havequitethe looming presence of David Thaxton. I doubt anyone who hasn't seen Thaxton would really know they were missing anything though. As someone else mentioned, he didn't play the same kind of anguish at the end, but instead chose a colder persona for Max to walk off stage.

I'll admit I was a bit disappointed at Brandon Lavar as Artie. He's a talented performer but just seemed miscast in this, as he didn't really seem to mesh with the rest of the show in his interpretation of Artie, especially opposite Sidney and Pierre who I thought were doing much more nuanced work.

Nicole as always was in fine form, I love the way she plays around with her camera moments and how she always keeps you guessing a bit as to how she'll play the scene this time. I'm glad to have seen it one last time and to still get new choices to chew on."

Wish I got to see Sidney in this role. Saw one of Grace’s final performances and you can tell she was soaking in her last moments.

I agree that Brandon was very uninteresting as Artie. He made the part forgettable and far more in the background. Diego had a lot more charisma and impact. You didn’t forget about him when Betty was flirting with Joe which made the ending more impactful.

Pierre was fine but I miss Tom, especially alongside Nicole. They just had this unmistakable (and understandably) chemistry. Also Tom played the role more ethereally so it fit the show more for me. Pierre felt in-the-moment and “real” which I enjoy the difference in interpretation, I just preferred Tom. But he sounds great vocally.

[east side story]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 9:31am

FYI: Brandon Lavar is the director’s boyfriend.

[idioteque...]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 12:45pm

Is there still a way to get cheap tickets to this? Threatr resale is insane.

 

and yes I know the play has been on for while why do I want to see it in the last week?  Been out of work and broke and things never changed 😭

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 2:04pm

idioteque... said: "Is there still a way to get cheap tickets to this? Threatr resale is insane.



and yes I know the play has been on for while why do I want to see it in the last week? Been out of work and broke and things never changed 😭"

Sorry to say but I can't see how, it's the final week and it's sold out.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 2:05pm

idioteque... said: "Is there still a way to get cheap tickets to this? Threatr resale is insane.



and yes I know the play has been on for while why do I want to see it in the last week? Been out of work and broke and things never changed 😭"

 

These last 2 weeks, people have been lining up for the partial view rush seats as early as 3:00am.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 4:12pm

windowwaving said: "Pierre was fine but I miss Tom, especially alongside Nicole. They just had this unmistakable (and understandably) chemistry. Also Tom played the role more ethereally so it fit the show more for me.Pierre felt in-the-moment and “real” which I enjoy the difference in interpretation, I just preferred Tom. But he sounds great vocally."

Yeah I think Tom overall fit the "vibe" of the production better but his acting choices  (Pierre seemed to have a different type of physicality that didn't always match, but then again maybe it's because I'm used to Tom).  I liked Pierre a bit more as an actor, and I think he feels more like a regular musical theater actor, whereas Tom felt kind of like a model who had musical theater chops--not meant to be a slight at all, but he definitely had the camera angles and the hands-in-pockets pose down to a T.  For me, it felt like Tom set the template of what this version's Joe would be (though a bit more inscrutable), while Pierre shaded in a few more of the specific choices.  It's hard to imagine what this show would've been like without Tom to originate the role, but I'm very very glad I saw both.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 4:15pm

idioteque... said: "Is there still a way to get cheap tickets to this? Threatr resale is insane.
 

It closes in 4 days so unfortunately no.  

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 7:18pm

everythingtaboo said: "idioteque... said: "Is there still a way to get cheap tickets to this? Threatr resale is insane.



and yes I know the play has been on for while why do I want to see it in the last week? Been out of work and broke and things never changed 😭"

Sorry to say but I can't see how, it's the final week and it's sold out."

I mean, it’s absolutely not “sold out.”

You can still get a ticket to any of the remaining performances.

You’re just going to be paying upwards of $150 for a decent seat. 

I’d recommend stopping by the box office. At least that way you can save on the service fees. 

[abcd12]

Posted: 7/16/25 at 10:17pm

Agree about the box office. Also, check at the TKTS booth. I noticed someone snagged a TKTS ticket to today’s matinee - Row K Center Orchestra for $115. (I fully realize prices are generally lower for weekday matinees, but you could get lucky.)

But yeah - unless you want to camp out overnight at the box office, you’re likely looking at spending somewhere in the $150-175 range. (I don’t even think rush is guaranteed to be available either.)

Updated On: 7/16/25 at 10:17 PM

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 12:58am

The prices keep going down down down for the final performance.  They made huge mistakes this production including the big waste of money that was bringing over people like David thaxton and Grace young as well as ensemble people all of whom contributed nothing to the box office and New York actors could have done the job just as good if not better.  Given how long they ran, they should have gone into the Hudson theatre and they wouldn’t have had to spend as much money on marketing.  Jamie Lloyd is a pretty terrible producer.  He’s certainly no Tom Kirdahy. 

[ER765]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 6:51am

Blow Gabriel said: "The prices keep going down down down for the final performance. They made huge mistakes this production including the big waste of money that was bringing over people like David thaxton and Grace young as well as ensemble people all of whom contributed nothing to the box office and New York actors could have done the job just as good if not better. Given how long they ran, they should have gone into the Hudson theatre and they wouldn’t have had to spend as muchmoney on marketing. Jamie Lloyd is a pretty terrible producer. He’s certainly no Tom Kirdahy."

…huh? LOL 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn’t the ensemble recast with Americans? And I’d like to think Lloyd felt all four leads deserved to make the transfer, as they were all Olivier nominated.


Finally, Tom Kirdahy’s most recent work:

GYPSY: flop 

LEMPICKA: flop

GREY HOUSE: flop

NEW YORK, NEW YORK: flop

THE INHERTIANCE: flop

TINA: flop

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY: flop

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 7:04am

Are you kidding me?

HADESTOWN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, JUST IN TIME, ANASTASIA, HERE WE ARE.  New York New York was Sonia Friedman’s mess, Lempicka was Seaview’s, not his. 

[ER765]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 7:14am

Blow Gabriel said: "Are you kidding me?

HADESTOWN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, JUST IN TIME, ANASTASIA, HERE WE ARE. New York New York wasSonia Friedman’s mess, Lempicka was Seaview’s, not his."

So Tom is only responsible for the shows he produces that are hits? If he produces a flop, it’s someone else’s fault? Got it!


Tom, is that you?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 7:18am

I don’t know about the Kirdahy comparison (maybe Greg Nobile would be more comparable) but I agree that bringing UK ensemble members over (and then paying for their accommodation, plus flights which add up) was a mistake. 80% of the people at Pearl Studios could do what they did, including the camera work. 

I don’t think an Olivier should guarantee someone nine months of work and the taking away of an opportunity from a local performer. Grace didn’t need to appear on Broadway, the role of Betty is already super small and then to direct it like Jamie did, it barely exists. David Thaxton also could have stayed at home. Zachary James could have done the job brilliantly. 

Updated On: 7/17/25 at 07:18 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 7:20am

Blow Gabriel said: "Are you kidding me?

HADESTOWN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, JUST IN TIME, ANASTASIA, HERE WE ARE. New York New York wasSonia Friedman’s mess, Lempicka was Seaview’s, not his."

Joined the board today just to toot Tom Kirdahy’s horn and dig up months-old threads. How much are they paying you?

Updated On: 7/17/25 at 07:20 AM

[abcd12]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 7:21am

I forgot this board is chock full of people who miraculously know the answers to everything when it comes to theatrical finances. Even more than the people in the actual room, crunching the numbers and calling the shots! 

So grateful for you all for sharing your infinite wisdom and insights. You should DM Jamie Lloyd! 🙄 

Updated On: 7/17/25 at 07:21 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 8:26am

I attended the 7/9/25 matinee and the 7/12/25 evening performances. 

The state of Grace Hodgett Young's voice was frightening; I was shocked that they let her go on.

I had concerns about Jordan Donica's age for the role of Max, but that all went out the window the minute he uttered the line, "Once, you won't remember....". In hindsight, I would have preferred that he'd been cast from the start, and David Thaxton not been brought over. The way Jordan literally looms over everyone else is fantastic. For me, he all-but steals the show from Nicole.

Pierre Marais seemed a bit nervous during the matinee, which I believe was his first performance after Tom Francis' departure, but he was notably more confidant by Saturday night. He doesn't come across quite as coldly as Tom, but he has a good voice, and I think he's a fine replacement.

I was very disappointed by Brandon Lavar as Artie. Diego Andres Rodriguez made something of this very small role, but Brandon looked lost and out of his depth.

I'll be returning for the final performance.

[binau]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 12:01pm

Are we sure that they brought over ensemble members? That would surprise me I had no idea and I agree this was a commercially unwise decision if so. I also agree Grace should not have transferred - I must admit I never understood what Jamie Lloyd was doing with the character if I were to be critical to the production but it's such a small and thankless part I'm not really bothered by it. I think it's fair that they paid for Nicole, Tom and David to come over. They were very much central to the concept and execution of the show. 

[Bryce 2]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 12:38pm

binau said: "Are we sure that they brought over ensemble members? That would surprise me I had no idea and I agree this was a commercially unwise decision if so. I also agree Grace should not have transferred - I must admit I never understood what Jamie Lloyd was doing with the character if I were to be critical to the production but it's such a small and thankless part I'm not really bothered by it.I think it's fair that they paid for Nicole, Tom and David to come over. They were very much central to the concept and execution of the show."

Yes. Tyler Davis, Emma Lloyd, Shayna McPherson, and Hannah Yun Chamberlain all transferred from the West End. I can understand why Shayna and Hannah were brought over, but Tyler and Emma seem like completely random choices to me.