SUNSET BLVD. to transfer to Broadway- Page 2
SUNSET BLVD. to transfer to Broadway
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#25
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:18am
Worth reminding the folks who don't like this production that you don't have to see it!! :)
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#26
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:28am
Eddie3 said: "I'm afraid I was not that thrilled with the production of Sunset, which I saw in London. I know that it has its fans, but I only enjoyed it moderately. I was particularly unimpressed by the choreography. I love Jamie Lloyd's work, having seen and admired many of his productions, but I thought the Sunset just wasn't good enough. Regarding Nicole, I guess she was ok, but I kept thinking I was watching Maila Nurmi (aka Vampira) as Norma.
It will be interesting to see how it's received here.
"
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#27
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:30am
OhHiii said: "Worth reminding the folks who don't like this production that you don't have to see it!! :)"
It sounds like they did see it and didn’t like it, so… I’m not sure what you’re at. People are allowed to have opinions that differ from the general consensus.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/4/14
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#28
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:31am
Also worth reminding everyone that it's no doubt going to be a very expensive ticket, and so particularly important to convey that there are a lot of non-gushing opinions, from those of us who have seen it already.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#29
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:37am
OhHiii said: "Spamalot must already have plans to close by Labor Day which isn't surprising."
The tour is launching in the Fall of 2024. SPAMALOT probably closes around the Tony's.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#30
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:44am
Is Hadestown a limited run in London if Grace is coming over?
Also, super excited to hear that Audra is attached to a Gypsy revival next season in that Johnny O article!
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#31
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:45am
Eddie3 said: "Also worth reminding everyone that it's no doubt going to be a very expensive ticket, and so particularly important to convey that there are a lot of non-gushing opinions, from those of us who have seen it already.
I don't see the public rushing out to see this, only the theater queens on this board. This will certainly have discounts.
"
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#32
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:53am
Leading Actress in a Musical will feed families at next year’s Tonys. Norma Desmond vs. Mama Rose vs. Diana Goodman, Nicole vs. Audra vs. Caissie.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#33
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:54am
Audra in Gypsy? Is that even a credible rumor at this point?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/22
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#34
Posted: 1/4/24 at 10:56am
I’m being general here, but I get the impression that London audiences are much more excited-about-beforehand and enthusiastic-after-seeing ‘bold reimaginings.’
Broadway audiences (local/tourist/whatever way you slice it) generally - I say generally - prefer known quantities that don’t stray far from what satisfied them before. I don’t think the frenzy this created in the more-accepting London will be replicated in NYC.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#35
Posted: 1/4/24 at 11:06am
Very credible rumor I know it was a long term Rudin plan. But yes. Very much so credible. It sounds like the the two night music and Mame have been the ones to unfortunately be postponed indefinitely
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#36
Posted: 1/4/24 at 11:10am
Very happy to see confirmation of the transfer, with the caveat that I don't know whether I'll love it or hate it. But I will be coming up for this.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#37
Posted: 1/4/24 at 11:37am
ColorTheHours048 said: "OhHiii said: "Worth reminding the folks who don't like this production that you don't have to see it!! :)"
It sounds like they did see it and didn’t like it, so… I’m not sure what you’re at. People are allowed to have opinions that differ from the general consensus."
I agree with this. I didn't see BTTF here in NY because I had seen it in London and wasn't enthralled by it enough to see it again. Similarly there will be those who saw SB in London, were not captivated by it, and won't see it. They're just expressing their opinion. The fact they won't see it again goes without saying.
I would maybe be interested in seeing this just to compare it to the original. Although from what I've heard from a friend who saw it in London, it is a totally different take on it. He personally liked it. But he liked the original too.
The original was a straight up musical rendering of the movie. No real flash, but in my opinion very good, and quite lush. I liked the score a great deal. While it had some very ALW sounds to it that sometimes reflected similarly back on the sounds of his previous works, I still felt it captured an old Hollywood vibe to it. I saw it in LA with Glenn, Alan, Judy and George at the Shubert prior to its move to NY.
This SB seems more edgy, dark, a bit abstract and avant garde. Which a lot of people like nowadays in their theater. I think we're seeing that Broadway audiences are looking for more of the "THAT was really COOL" effect over the more simple, "That was beautiful, great, or a lot of fun!" If that makes sense.
Simply a different presentation of the material that some will like, some will prefer over the original, some will prefer the original and others will not like it. It will be comparing apples to oranges though. Both are fruits, but still different in flavor.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#38
Posted: 1/4/24 at 11:50am
Couple other things from that Post article:
This Sunset has a $17 million capitalization in NY.
The publication isn’t confident about Cabaret’s Tony odds up against Merrily.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#39
Posted: 1/4/24 at 12:16pm
I am so sorry and mean this with the utmost respect, those of suggesting Benanti as the alternate Norma…. have you heard this score before?! Norma is a belter! In no world is Benanti, as she will even tell you herself, a belter who is even close to meeting the demands of this score! Team Stephanie J. Block all the way!
Secondary side tangent, it makes me ever the least bit feral that Broadway seems to be throwing vocal ranges out the window when it comes to casting so many musical revivals nowadays… Sutton as Marion, Kelli O’Hara as Mother, Tveit as Sweeney, in addition to the Audra as Rose rumors and people clamoring for Benanti as Norma?? Is everyone okay?? Can we please stop with this??
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#40
Posted: 1/4/24 at 12:28pm
It seems to me a little odd to conclude that there is a trend or problem with vocal casting on Broadway based on pure fantasy or rumours (Benanti & Audra), a performance that has not even begun yet (Aaron Tveit in Sweeney) or a one night concert performance (Kelli as Mother). I would say the general trend is that we tend to cast vocally strong and suitable people as a rule with exception rather than as an exception to a rule.
I would also suggest that people don't seem to have a problem with poor vocals in this role (see Glenn Close). Not me, that is partly why Nicole was so refreshing and thrilling.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/4/14
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#41
Posted: 1/4/24 at 12:32pm
theatreguy12 said: "ColorTheHours048 said: "OhHiii said: "Worth reminding the folks who don't like this production that you don't have to see it!! :)"
It sounds like they did see it and didn’t like it, so… I’m not sure what you’re at. People are allowed to have opinions that differ from the general consensus."
I agree with this. I didn't see BTTF here in NY because I had seen it in London and wasn't enthralled by it enough to see it again. Similarly there will be those who saw SB in London, were not captivated by it, and won't see it. They're just expressing their opinion. The fact they won't see it again goes without saying.
I would maybe be interested in seeing this just to compare it to the original. Although from what I've heard from a friend who saw it in London, it is a totally different take on it. He personally liked it. But he liked the original too.
The original was a straight up musical rendering of the movie. No real flash, but in my opinion very good, and quite lush. I liked the score a great deal. While it had some very ALW sounds to it that sometimes reflected similarly back on the sounds of his previous works, I still felt it captured an old Hollywood vibe to it. I saw it in LA with Glenn, Alan, Judy and George at the Shubert prior to its move to NY.
This SB seems more edgy, dark, a bit abstract and avant garde. Which a lot of people like nowadays in their theater. I think we're seeing that Broadway audiences are looking for more of the "THAT was really COOL" effect over the more simple, "That was beautiful, great, or a lot of fun!" If that makes sense.
Simply a different presentation of the material that some will like, some will prefer over the original, some will prefer the original and others will not like it. It will be comparing apples to oranges though. Both are fruits, but still different in flavor.
"
Just to clarify my comments about Sunset, which I saw in London, relative to the comments of theatreguy's12's post, above: I usually love different, including radical, presentations of material, including of the classics, and I've always loved Jamie Lloyd's productions, which I've seen on eight occasions. I just don't think the current production of Sunset is very effective.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#42
Posted: 1/4/24 at 12:48pm
broadwayboy222 said: "I am so sorry and mean this with the utmost respect, those of suggesting Benanti as the alternate Norma…. have you heard this score before?! Norma is a belter! In no world is Benanti, as she will even tell you herself, a belter who is even close to meeting the demands of this score! Team Stephanie J. Block all the way!
Secondary side tangent, it makes me ever the least bit feral that Broadway seems to be throwing vocal ranges out the window when it comes to casting so many musical revivals nowadays… Sutton as Marion, Kelli O’Hara as Mother, Tveit as Sweeney, in addition to the Audra as Rose rumors and people clamoring for Benanti as Norma?? Is everyone okay?? Can we please stop with this??"
I agree with this to an extent. It's definitely not the general rule of thumb. But there have been some PRIME examples of just overlooking voice type altogether if a person is the physical type and has enough clout behind them. That didn't work out so well for Sutton's Marian. But we have other examples, Beanie being one of them. And I agree Laura would be wholly incorrect for this part vocally as I mentioned.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#43
Posted: 1/4/24 at 1:32pm
Awesome! The most thrilling and daring musical revival I saw in 2023 (and that includes the Broadway "Merrily," which would be my runner-up). Very excited to get a chance to see it again.
Broadway Star Joined: 8/31/08
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#44
Posted: 1/4/24 at 1:55pm
She wouldn’t be an alternate, obviously, but I would love to see Idina Menzel play Norma in this production for a short stint. But I’m dreaming.
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#45
Posted: 1/4/24 at 2:01pm
broadwayboy222 said: "I am so sorry and mean this with the utmost respect, those of suggesting Benanti as the alternate Norma…. have you heard this score before?! Norma is a belter! In no world is Benanti, as she will even tell you herself, a belter who is even close to meeting the demands of this score! Team Stephanie J. Block all the way!"
I see what you're saying and I think you might be right about Benanti....But I also have to say having seen this with Nicole in London, Stephanie J. Block is wrong for this production as well. They have essentially turned Norma into a Kim Kardashian-type. She has a cool-factor and moderness that SJB just couldn't be further from. As I said in another thread, Sherie Rene Scott is far more in the realm, though I know that wouldn't ever happen. Maybe they will go with another former Elphaba like they did with Rachel Tucker?
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#46
Posted: 1/4/24 at 2:23pm
FANtomFollies said: "broadwayboy222 said: "I am so sorry and mean this with the utmost respect, those of suggesting Benanti as the alternate Norma…. have you heard this score before?! Norma is a belter! In no world is Benanti, as she will even tell you herself, a belter who is even close to meeting the demands of this score! Team Stephanie J. Block all the way!"
I see what you're saying and I think you might be right about Benanti....But I also have to say having seen this with Nicole in London, Stephanie J. Block is wrong for this production as well. They have essentially turned Norma into a Kim Kardashian-type. She has a cool-factor and moderness that SJB just couldn't be further from. As I said in another thread, Sherie Rene Scott is far more in the realm, though I know that wouldn't ever happen. Maybe they will go with another former Elphaba like they did with Rachel Tucker?"
Rachel Tucker isn't playing it like Nicole is from the reports I've seen. On paper, I wouldn't have thought Rachel could play the same role as Nicole, but by all accounts she works too. SJB could surprise. And she'd surely sing it at the level Nicole is. Jessica Vosk could be an alternate choice.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/3/18
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#47
Posted: 1/4/24 at 7:51pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Grace is doing “Hadestown” in London starring next month, so that means this “Sunset” most probably won’t be until late summer/Fall.
And I reeeally want Laura Benanti as Tuesday Night Norma."
Then they have to cast a standby for the Tuesday nights LOL
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#48
Posted: 1/4/24 at 8:23pm
Shoutout to everyone who swore up and down this was coming in this season
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
SUNSET BLVD to transfer to Broadwa#49
Posted: 1/4/24 at 9:28pm
Yes, my suggestions will be Elphabas, but bring back Rachel, or even turn ton Jackie Burns or Kerry Ellis or Mandy Gonzalez. Don't know their ages right off the bat, but...
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