SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 7

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:17pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "I’m a person and I loved the concept"

That's great and I do acknowledge that there's a group that does either not care about concept of trashing the material nor the characters andemotions, or in your case even loving it. And that's ok."

At least one poster on here (chernjam) has been a huge fan of this show for decades, and said that he thinks this production elevates the material to new heights. (I hope he'll forgive me for paraphrasing him here.) 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:19pm

djoko84 said: "This is areviews thread, why are the fangirls posting publicity articles about Nicole's red carpet fashion and the opening night parties? The tweens on here are a joke."

After a show opens, the review thread often becomes the de facto general thread for a particular show, so there's nothing unusual about this.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:23pm

QueenAlice said: "I'm continually bemused by how many people can't wrap their head around this abstract take on Sunset Boulevard, but presumably wouldn't have a problem seeing a production by Shakespeare that isn't literally staged in Elizabethan reality. Theatre is an artform. Realism is not the paradigm of theatre. Please open your minds to be challenged by theatre at intentionally encourages you too think less and feel more."

Thanks for this answer! I read this thread appauled with how people even dare to compare Nicole's Norma to any other. ''Oh the humanity''... like, maybe it's not the point? This production takes a really not well beloved musical (let's be honest here, apart from 2 solos, no one really likes ''Sunset'') and tries to put an abstract view on the entire theme of the play. It's not always cohesive, but it's damn well entertaining, and while Scherzinger may not me acting in the way some people WANT, she is ACTING a lot in this show. It's both a greek tragedy and a silent movie performance.

I think it's tremendous, and hope at least her gets the awards recognition that she deserves, because the critics and the public already gave her the deserved flowers.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:25pm

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:25pm

Matt Rogers said: "Because many do not believe this is “trashing the material “. "

I don't think we need to go over this concept again. By now we all know what the concept is.

There are facts happening, like people laughing at serious moments (like the Betty scenes) and the shtick during the title song, and the breaking of the 4th wall, and the trashing of the lyrics and story, and the Tik-Tok jokes, and the cardboard cut-outs, and the Mc Hammer references, and the over-acting to the point where the first act seems like a parody, and creating a disconnect and deliberately pulling the audience out of the story all the time.

That's what I mean by that description. You have every right to like it.
 

Updated On: 10/22/24 at 06:25 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:34pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Because many do not believe this is “trashing the material “. "

I don't think we need to go over this concept again. By now we all know what the concept is.

There are facts happening, likepeople laughingat serious moments (like the Betty scenes) and the shtick during the title song, and the breaking of the 4th wall, and the trashing of the lyrics and story, and the Tik-Tok jokes, and the cardboard cut-outs, and the Mc Hammer references, and the over-acting to the point where the first act seems like a parody, and creating a disconnectand deliberately pulling the audience out of the story all the time.

That's what I mean by that description. You have every right to like it.
"

So do the authors, who approved the production. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:40pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "But my reason for saying all those things is that I feel there is an inherent flaw in the musicalization of Sunset Boulevard which flattened a really gnarly property into a show with a traditional R&H love plot and a leading character that is begging for empathy and understanding. 

I was wonderfully surprised by how invested I was in the story under Lloyd's direction."

You have every right to your opinion, but Joe and Betty's lovestory was better executed in the original musical than in this version. People are laughing. Because there is no build up. That is not being "invested". At most "invested in laughing at the show".

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:42pm

So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight. 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:49pm

Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

OMG, I feel bad for the ushers, can't these people read? Plus, I also book a ticket for a Tuesday in Nov just to see the show again. I received an email from Jujamcyn Theaters telling me that Nicole is not performing that night and I can request a refund or exchange my email easily.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:54pm

It's very clear  on SeatGeek

Casting Alert

Mandy Gonzalez will guest star as Norma Desmond at this performance.

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:55pm

CreatureKitchen said: "My point about whether the concept distracts from the material or elevates it is a matter of opinion. I think, for instance, a cardboard cutout of ALW and a person in a monkey suit distract from the lyrics being sung, rather than elevating them."

Secretly we all know exactly (including Matt) that those examples only distract. It's about the reaction on that distraction. There's people who don't like it and people who love it.

 

 

 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:02pm

Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

They also have Mandy’s pic outside. People are so unreal 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:03pm

Seb28 said: "CreatureKitchen said: "My point about whether the concept distracts from the material or elevates it is a matter of opinion. I think, for instance, a cardboard cutout of ALW and a person in a monkey suit distract from the lyrics being sung, rather than elevating them."

Secretly we all know exactly (including Matt) that those examples only distract. It's about the reaction on that distraction. There's people who don't like it and people who love it.

I’ve stated my view on the matter. Don’t tell me what I “secretly know”. That is the height of arrogance. 



"

 

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:07pm

Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

I used to call these people idiots too. Why on earth do they visit a show they have no interest in?

But when a production shows contempt for its own story, asking audiences to not take it seriously and turning it into a celebrity concert, how can we expect audiences to not treat it as such?

 

 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:10pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

I used to call these people idiots too. Why on earth do they visit a show they have no interest in?

But when a production shows contempt for its own story, asking audiences to not take it seriously and turning it into a celebrity concert, how can we expect audiences to not treat it as such?



"

Oh FFS, imagine taking any chances to form a narrative that suits one's arrogant belief? Again, does this mean "NOWADAYS" the audiences are stüp1d and ignorant to you too?

cannot believe when some people (ushers) are suffering, but this person still takes this opportunity to trash a production (is this really a opportunity that cannot be missed?) Updated On: 10/22/24 at 07:10 PM

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:12pm

Matt Rogers said: "I’ve stated my view on the matter. Don’t tell me what I “secretly know”. That is the height of arrogance."

Please explain how a cardboard cut-out of Andrew Lloyd Webber during a song "elevates" the material. Or keeps people involved in the story in general.

 

[Joe Vernuccio]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:14pm

I don't get into the city enough to be an expert on this but can anyone tell me which performances Nicole Scherzinger would definitely or more-than-likely be in the production?    If I am going to make the trip in I really don't want to see another performer in the lead, no matter how wonderful she may be.  Any advice?

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:17pm

spicemonkey said: "does this mean "NOWADAYS" the audiences are stüp1d and ignorant to you too?

cannot believe when some people (ushers) are suffering, but this person still takes this opportunity to trash a production (is this really a opportunity that cannot be missed?)"

No, it means I'm starting to understand them, this is what the production asks of them.

And it's not an opportunity that can't be missed, it is just naming facts and consequences of the production choices.

Updated On: 10/22/24 at 07:17 PM

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:19pm

Joe Vernuccio said: "I don't get into the city enough to be an expert on this but can anyone tell me which performances Nicole Scherzinger would definitely or more-than-likely be in the production? If I am going to make the trip in I really don'twant to see another performer in the lead, no matter how wonderful she may be. Any advice?"

Mandy does Tuesdays, generally. But each performance on Seat Geek has a casting alert that tells you who is on for Norma that night, just to be sure. 

[CreatureKitchen]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:42pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "But my reason for saying all those things is that I feel there is an inherent flaw in the musicalization of Sunset Boulevard which flattened a really gnarly property into a show with a traditional R&H love plot and a leading character that is begging for empathy and understanding."

Haha, sorry, I didn't mean to call you out or anything, and I think your comments are very thoughtful. I actually think Norma "begging for empathy and understanding" is one of the musical's strengths, but you're right that the musical took the movie and made it into something else. My issue is that Jamie Lloyd seems completely disinterested in what the musical is, except as a vehicle for his concept. He cares about the live video aesthetic, and Nicole's performance, and not much else. I think the dynamics between the characters and the actual plot are sidelined for that overarching concept. 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 8:19pm

Seb28 said: "Please explain how a cardboard cut-out of Andrew Lloyd Webber during a song "elevates" the material. Or keeps people involved in the story in general."

Several years ago I saw a production of L'italiana in Algeri that, among many other concepts, featured secret service agents in black suits and sunglasses skulking around in medieval North Africa. This didn't "keep me in the story" as originally written by the librettist, and it was, on the face of it, very much at odds with the libretto. Yet it greatly enhanced my enjoyment, and understanding, of the piece. And this is just one example among many I could cite from opera productions I have seen.

I haven't seen this production of Sunset Blvd. yet, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing it next month. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 8:32pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

I used to call these people idiots too. Why on earth do they visit a show they have no interest in?

But when a production shows contempt for its own story, asking audiences to not take it seriously and turning it into a celebrity concert, how can we expect audiences to not treat it as such?

"

Dude, we get it -- you don't like it. But you're not one to talk about "contempt", given your responses to those that feel differently than yourself about the production. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 8:39pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "So many idiots here right now, bitching at ushers because they were too stupid to read the disclaimer when they were buying tickets that Mandy Gonzales was playing Norma tonight."

I used to call these people idiots too. Why on earth do they visit a show they have no interest in?

But when a production shows contempt for its own story, asking audiences to not take it seriously and turning it into a celebrity concert, how can we expect audiences to not treat it as such?



"

AGAIN, it does NOT show contempt for its own story. You sound like someone who has not seen it. The authors have seen it. And they approved it. 
 

Also, it is intermission and Mandy is amazing. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 8:41pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "I’ve stated my view on the matter. Don’t tell me what I “secretly know”. That is the height of arrogance."

Please explain how a cardboard cut-out of Andrew Lloyd Webber during a song "elevates" the material. Or keeps people involved in the story in general.

"

Figure it out. 

[MusicalGuy3]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 8:53pm

Mandy is giving her own wonderful/dazzling performance.  Wow!