SUNSET BLVD. Reviews - Page 8

[greensgreens]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 9:30pm

Are Joe and Betty actually in love in this version? In the 1993/94 staging, it was very clearly your typical ingenue couple. However, I got the feeling in 2024, they’re just two opportunistic people looking to score, like all the other denizens of Hollywood. They never seemed truly sincere about anything. The only character I actually cared about was Artie for a split second. I’ll agree with a previous poster here who said Sunset is about a bunch of not so great people getting what they deserve. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 9:30pm

Thank you, CreatureKitchen that's a really solid and nuanced answer to my question about demographic-specific differences in responses. I get it. This production doesn't necessarily function as standalone telling of the story; it's that yet also a comment on the piece's origin story, both film and gilt house ensconced mega-musical. I am seeing it tomorrow afternoon and feel my appetite whetted anew

Updated On: 10/22/24 at 09:30 PM

[dwirth]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 9:34pm

I saw the original Sunset London, Toronto, both 1st/2nd national tours, the Broadway 2017 revival - and now this production, a week ago. A fan.

The beauty and faded Hollywood vibe of the original is hard to beat - an all time favorite - and several of the performances I've seen in Sunset are among the best I've experienced in 6 decades of shows. If anything, each prior Norma... Paige, Carroll, Balgord, Clark, Close - had unique qualities - from a diminutive size (Paige) to a flat, nasaly American accent (Clark) to a manic manner (Balgord) that defined their Norma and made it clear that the silent screen both magnified Norma, but also hid what real life couldn't.

Well, nothing is hiding in Scherzinger's performance - or the production - it is all out there in the open. Literally. As a purist, I didn't WANT to like either of them - frankly, but very much did - both the undeniably talented and fantastic Scherzinger - a real star presence with a fine voice - and the thrilling overall production. Winners, both, though very, very modern. (And to those who say Norma's never been sung this well... Ummm. Elaine Paige...)

However, Tom Francis'Joe stole the show for me - the best Joe I've seen (Hanson, Smith, Bohmer, Cleale, Xavier, I saw before in the show order above) - and The Walk is an instant classic, whether gimmicky - or not.

What I'd REALLY like to see are the current leads - with the staging and trappings of the original, allowing the actors to be more characters and not just performers. That'd be something. The only glimpse of a traditional Norma is in Scherzinger's opening Surrender scene. She was super.. and Norma-y, then dropped the character.

The new production is a knockout, but I kinda just want my "real" Sunset back, too. Oh, and far, far less audience screaming, hooting, hollering. Manners, folks!

Updated On: 10/22/24 at 09:34 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 9:44pm

MusicalGuy3 said: "Mandy is giving her own wonderful/dazzling performance. Wow!"

You can say that again. She was absolutely spectacular. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 12:20am

Matt Rogers said: "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."

 

I find it kinda weird that you won't address this, even acknowledging you're frustrated with the tone of the person asking the question. But it's frustrating for me as someone who can't see the production and is trying to get a sense of it through the comments here that you won't explain why you think they work or what they contribute to the evening. You seem to think these choices work and fit the movements in which they are used. Since they are, from a traditional standpoint, very odd choices, couldn't you indulge Seb (and others of us) by explaining why you feel these moments work? 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 1:47am

MusicalGuy3 said: "Mandy is giving her own wonderful/dazzling performance. Wow!"

Audios abound, and Mandy sounds good, but her delivery only confirms the bizarre manner with which Lloyd is directing these ladies. I land on the side of this hurting, undermining, the show as a whole, even if its entertaining as a concert, but to each their own.  

Its funny how people insist something is great and "works" and "slays" but then cant back it up with any explanation/clarification. Enjoying a performance is one thing, explaining how it makes sense/elevates material/moves an audience, is another. 

[binau]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 3:27am

Sometimes it’s hard to explain, it’s just an emotional reaction. For example, my emotional reaction to the original recordings and the Glenn Close revival is that the show is a cheesy, cringeworthy, ‘ALW show’ that at best has some nice melodies and at worst makes me want to crawl into a hole. My emotional reaction to this revival is it is dark, scary, funny, beautiful, shocking, musically (vocal & orchestration) top tier and most of all ‘cool’. Yes it’s actually cool and something that I’d recommend to normal people - whereas beyond core theatre fans with our tote bags (ie ourselves) I wouldn’t have recommended they go any where near the last revival. 

And after all of that some people come on here with their precious pearl clutching for material that was garbage in the first place wondering how we can feel all of the above when we see a laptop!??! I don’t know it just works or ‘slays’ or whatever word you want to use. 

This lady is paying and paying big. This production IS big. It’s the minds that are small. 

[Seb28]

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

binau said: "It’s the minds that are small."

I don't think this is fair. You don't have to accuse people who dislike this production of being small-minded.

There are people who enjoy conceit and there are people who enjoy sincerity.

It can also be argued that taking people deliberately out of the story is bad directing. Laughing at your leads in the most serious scenes and laughing at serious story lines is not for everyone. But indeed, some people seem to like that. In any case if there's a limitation of the mind, this fits that description better.

And like CreatureKItchen said:

"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." 

I agree, and therefore I think Jamie Lloyd's vision is extremely small-minded.

 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 6:32am

Seb, you are the last one to be pushing back on small mindedness when it comes to this production. You’ve crossed beyond critique and it’s giving hater. If you hate this production so much, leave it alone. There are clearly people who it works very well for. It’s art, they don’t have to defend WHY it works for them, it just does. And to the person who says “oh this is hurting the material and I guess it’s an entertaining concert” must have the critical thinking skills of a pea. Because this production is theatrical to the nth degree. It’s just silly to say it isn’t. If it isn’t for you, great that’s your prerogative but it doesn’t give you the right to put down and interrogate people for why they did enjoy it. Really the dregs of theatre fans on this board sometimes.  

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 6:38am

kdogg36 said: "And this is just one example among many I could cite from opera productions I have seen."

That is my point, it all depends on what people are able to understand and recognize. If a director is against the material and doesn't trust it, he should choose something else. 

It cuts off journeys to different era's, stories, experiences and world views from characters from the audience. It is numbing them. People already can't handle a story set in a different era anymore. If people continue to do this they will eventually not recognize anything but trashing and laughing.

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 6:42am

greensgreens said: "Are Joe and Betty actually in love in this version? ."

Yes, all the lyrics are about that.

The "direction" is just sidelining the lyrics. And the characters.

 

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 6:53am

dwirth said: "What I'd REALLY like to see are the current leads - with the staging and trappings of the original, allowing the actors to be more characters and not just performers. That'd be something. The only glimpse of a traditional Norma is in Scherzinger's opening Surrender scene. She was super.. and Norma-y, then dropped the character.

The new production is a knockout, but I kinda just want my "real" Sunset back, too. Oh, and far, far less audience screaming, hooting, hollering. Manners, folks!"

That would take the production to a whole new level. The talent of characterization must be in the leads somewhere. Too bad that they can never start that journey and discover that world.

I'm also afraid that a big part of audiences nowadays doesn't care anymore and just wants to see superficial jokes and not being pulled into a story, they seem bored by anything that differs too much from their daily lives and their world of experience.

 

 

 

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 06:53 AM

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 7:06am

OhHiii said: "but it doesn’t give you the right to interrogate people for why they did enjoy it."

People who respect the material and the artform are just interested to hear what their motivation is. But it very much seems like a one way street.

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 7:13am

binau said: "with their precious pearl clutching for material that was garbage in the first place "

Nobody denies that you think the material is garbage. In fact, we completely understand that's what makes you like the "conceit, disconnect, trashing" so much. And you sincerely seem to like it, so that's good. Others do not and need more.

 

 

 

[binau]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 7:27am

You’ve now posted 5 times in a row and you’ve had it out for this production before performances even started. I actually appreciated your views…the first time. But it is a bit nicer if we can keep the balance in the thread and let us who are excited about it continue to be excited about it. If others want to give their negative views that’s fine but why do you keep feeling the need to trash this production over and over again? It is crossing the line into what feels like a bit of vendetta/hatred. We get it, the production doesn’t work for you and I completely think it’s legitimate for you that it doesn’t and that’s ok.  When is enough, enough? 

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 7:34am

Thanks for your reply! I am just reacting on the latest arguments and questions in this discussion. That's what the board is for. I'm sorry if you don't like the answers and facts I present.

I am looking for good arguments and explanations but it seems they will not come. I do have to say that your explanation makes the most sense. You hate it so you laugh at it now and find it "cool". And you have all the right to have fun with that.

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 07:34 AM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:05am

Most people apologize for double-posting….and then there’s Seb, who thinks their thoughts/arguments are so important that they warrant five posts in a row. 

Seriously, we get it. This production does not work for you. That’s a totally valid take as you are not required by law to agree with every experimental choice of JL’s vision. You’re simply not going to get the “good arguments” (whatever the jackpot boulevard hell that’s supposed to mean) you’re seeking for here, as nothing anyone says seems to please you. Maybe try Reddit or Facebook.

I’m a lifelong Sunset Boulevard fan. This interpretation, while featuring some great performances, does absolutely nothing for me. I will go back to see Mandy or Caroline, but I’m a fan of their work already. I prefer a more traditional take on the material, HOWEVER, I fully respect that this is truly a critical, financial, and word-of-mouth hit. Not every single thing needs to be answered or laid out for you. Just accept that it doesn’t work for you and move on so more interesting and nuanced discussions can exist in this thread other than “this doesn’t work and none of you can tell me otherwise”. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:17am

MadsonMelo said: "a really not well beloved musical (let's be honest here, apart from 2 solos, no one really likes ''Sunset'')"

I'm so sick of sweeping generalizations like yours, as if you interviewed everyone who has ever seen the show. Sunset Boulevard is definitely a "well beloved musical" to me, I love the entire score (including the songs cut from this production, not just "2 solos"), and I'm not the only one who has made this point in this thread, so your claim is crap.

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 08:17 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:28am

binau said: "material that was garbage in the first place"

Statements like this are breathtakingly arrogant.

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:32am

binau said: "why do you keep feeling the need to trash this production over and over again? It is crossing the line into what feels like a bit of vendetta/hatred. We get it, the production doesn’t work for you and I completely think it’s legitimate for you that it doesn’t and that’s ok. When is enough, enough?"

Maybe Seb28 will stop trashing this production when you stop trashing the show itself ("material that was garbage in the first place").

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:36am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "
I’m a lifelong Sunset Boulevard fan. This interpretation, while featuring some great performances, does absolutely nothing for me. 

I fully respect that this is truly a critical, financial, and word-of-mouth hit.

Not every single thing needs to be answered or laid out for you."

I respect that too, and I think it's nice to have a discussion about how and why. Especially when people go from calling it "garbage" to "oracle".

Also, in fact we agree, and I agree with Binau too. Binau hated it and likes what they have done with the material. I do not. And explained why. People are laughing at serious scenes. Character build ups are gone. Deliberately taking the audience out of the story, real life actor's jokes, Tik Tok, jokes, etc, etc. That is not even a discussion anymore. The question is, is the interest the same from both sides and what does this mean for the future of musicals and the arts in general? Will those specific things they have done be the new norm? Are audiences changing? What do we think of that development? 

 

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 08:36 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 8:59am

Seb28 said: "The question is, is the interest the same from both sides and what does this mean for the future of musicals and the arts in general? Will those specific things they have done be the new norm?

"

The problem is that you don’t actually appear to be interested in honest discussion. You’ve already made it clear that you dislike this production, but you’ve also made it clear that you just want people to justify why they liked it so you can tell them why you think they’re wrong - based on, I don’t know, your deep reverence for Sunset Boulevard, which somehow in your mind makes you the official rep for it. But theatre is an art,  and art is experimental. A concept like this harkens back to the OG Wooster Group days when theatre artists were dropping acid and acting out Hamlet while a different production of it played on a screen in the background. I’d be curious to hear what all you Billy Shakes purists had to say about THAT (just kidding, I don’t).

And your insistence that this production is somehow indicative of the future of the theatre, or that people not wanting to enter your bad faith “discussion” is some political statement on how both sides of that discussion aren’t mutually respectful, just makes you come off as dramatic and obnoxious.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 10:27am

binau said: "It’s the minds that are small."

Some of us aren't taken in by the emperor's new clothes, I guess.

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 10:50am

Lot666 said: "binau said: "material that was garbage in the first place"
Statements like this are breathtakingly arrogant."

I agree, things like "the material was garbage in the first place" and "nobody liked Sunset" are arrogant and obnoxious. They do not contribute to a good discussion at all.

I always try to look at the bigger picture, the causes of things and I study human behavior. And this discussion is a 1-way street because I am not the one saying "the original was great" and "this one is trash", without giving examples and explanations of scenes and explaining all the choices. I explain very well why. I truly don't get why people think "a cardboard cut-out elevated the material" or "keeps people in the story" and why they think that "audiences laughing at serious scenes" is an improvement in any way. And I have not heard 1 proper argument why it does.

To me it shows they don't care. They care about seeing a popstar. Nothing else. Just like the director does. This is not saying they can't have that opinion, they can love it, it is just calling out facts.

There is also another interesting thing that Binau mentioned. "Now it is cool" or "now it slays". This is an overall feeling I sense from more people who adore Nicole's performance (not specifically the material because they are either silent about that or trash it).

This is interesting because I think people in general are very basic. From being in groups in school, to later in life while being in a work environment, in sports, there is always a group of people that is, how should I say it, "slightly submissive to the popular people", they want to be part of it. "this is popular now so now I think so too". Because then we count too. The own mind does not really count, therefore material that was considered "trash" before can suddenly turn into "oracle" in the blink of an eye because someone popular does (taking the piss with) it. This is just a thought that crossed my mind today because I have to find the cause behind this situation and I will keep looking for it.

Edit: Or it could be something like when people hear a song in a commercial they suddenly go crazy about it, while never having paid attention to the original (even while knowing the song before and that it existed) and now are open to it, mostly because of the fact that it is hyped now. It is all very interesting. Also, Binau, I respect you very much on this board, you know that.

 

 

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 10:50 AM

[Seb28]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 10:53am

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’d be curious to hear what all you Billy Shakes purists had to say about THAT (just kidding, I don’t)."

 "...is somehow indicative of the future of the theatre."

I bet you don't :)

What do you think of the rapid change we see in what audiences want in theatre and the future developments?