SUNSET BLVD. Reviews — Page 8

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

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

You can say that again. She was absolutely spectacular.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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