SUNSET BLVD. to transfer to Broadway- Page 23

[MezzA101]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 7:51pm

Miserent said: "Going tonight and soooooo excited…this is the first time I’m going to the truly first preview of a show. I did go to the reopening of Company, but technically it had already played a few performances before the shutdown so I’m not sure it counts. I walked by the theatre before, gift baskets were being delivered and I could see the house staff congregating inside. The next 2 hours of waiting are gonna be rough!!"

Oh, it counts!

First post-Covid performance and Sondheim in the house. Extraordinary experience.

 

[yyys]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 9:27pm

Give Nicole her Tony's already! 

[supersam1026]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 9:30pm

Intermission now!

I had incredibly high expectations and it is far exceeding those!

This won’t be for everyone, but it is definitely for me! Wow!!

[DCDrama2]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 9:35pm

Weird as hell, but it works. Nicole can SING! The show really leans into the insanity of the character and she commands it. No set, no costumes, minimal to the max but I’m enthralled so far.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 10:56pm

[Miserent]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 10:58pm

This is an absolutely stunning production…wow.  I’m still gathering my thoughts, but I was so impressed with this.  The final scene alone will be seared into my brain for the longest time.

[brenway]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 11:12pm

Parroting others but that was just insanely well done in so many ways. Three standing ovations mid performance, yes it was the first preview but I felt all were deserved.

I don’t see a way Nicole doesn’t win a Tony for her performance, I know it’s early and a loaded season but I don’t think her performance of Norma Desmond will ever leave me.

On another note, they are VERY strict with no late seating and no restrooms during the performance. It was sold out but the seat next to me was empty, I don’t know if that was due to the policy. They were very clear that if you didn’t make it back to your seat before the beginning of Act 2 you were not going to be allowed back to your seat. So be on time so you don’t miss this! 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 11:39pm

I need to sleep on this one before trying to post my full thoughts. A lot to process. I will say this, though, Nicole Scherzinger is giving an enthrallingly terrifying performance as Norma in the best way possible.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 11:41pm

Very much agree.  Nicole wins the TONY for this.   We love Audra, but no matter what she does, this is Nicole's - and Jamie Lloyd's - and the revival.   It. is. it. 

[DCDrama2]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 11:48pm

This was a horror show. Like Psycho is a horror show. It was so captivating. So many elements of this are things I don't like: minimal design, gimmicky camera tricks, non-theater celebs being pushed on Broadway, a singular performer/performance being the highlight, the horror genre as a whole, ALW in general. I don't know how I liked it, but I loved it!
The whole thing exuded power and drama. I've never been to a Jaime Lloyd show but knew what to expect. I was nervous about it. But all of the choices (save for the opening which was a bit stilted) were compelling and interesting. It was not bland boring theater. The walk outside to open act II was a gimmick, but OMFG was it cool to experience.
I've seen Sunset Blvd once before and didn't care for it, you could add it to my list at the top. But this interpretation of it transforms the show into a genuine psychological horror that blends cinema and theater in a way that is perfectly on point for this story.
Nicole Scherzinger. Damn. Epic. Iconic? Quite possibly. I hate recommending shows just to see one person, but folks, go see HER. If nothing you read in the forums or the reviews grabs your interest, rest assured that you will want to have seen THIS performance. The way she jumps from authentic depth to fourth-wall-breaking humor to Hannibal Lecter-eske insanity is un-freaking-real. And that's on top of her vocal power that somehow filled the otherwise literally empty stage. She will certainly be nominated, but this is a stacked season so a win is not assured.
What I do see winning, even this early, is lighting design. Presuming voters vote for 'best' design over 'most' design, it's in the bag.
It's late now. I need to sleep, but I'm too wound up. That was really, really high-caliber theater.

[supersam1026]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:08am

Yeah, this is just so incredible on so many levels. I don’t know how to come down from the high I’m feeling right now.

The only thing I’m upset about is that I know my wallet will be crying in the coming months. Thankfully there is not a performance tomorrow, or I know I would be trying to do everything in my power to go again in 24 hours! 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 5:20am

And Australia got Sarah Brightman instead of this. I can’t wait to January when I get to see this. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 7:02am

Last night was certainly an experience. First and foremost, The score sounds absolutely exquisite. The vocals and orchestrations sound absolutely SUBLIME. Nicole UNHINGED up on that stage. She’s legitimately terrifying.

I think those who are a fan of Jamie Lloyd’s direction and style and choices will find a great deal to love. As for me, I’ve never really been fully on board with Lloyd’s work (I saw both Betrayal and A Doll’s House and was pretty baffled by both). While this production of Sunset Boulevard definitely has a plethora of baffling moments, I think most of them are actually effective and impactful.

The stage is a black void with spotlights and a huge video screen that hinges in and out of the rafters. It’s deceptively simple looking, but the technical production must be a beast to run underneath it all. Lots of fog is used. There are some very beautiful moments with the lighting. The camera work is also quite impressive.

The act 2 opening / title number is really damn cool, and I’m impressed that they managed to pull that off so seamlessly. Not an easy feat at all.

The camp and melodrama have been dialed up to a ten for this production, which is an interesting, but effective choice. I was surprised at how many funny moments there were that were not in previous productions.

The cast is stellar. Nicole and Tom Francis have excellent chemistry. They play off of each other very well. Grace Hodgett-Young and David Thaxton are both great in their featured roles.

I don’t think Jamie Lloyd’s work will ever be 100% my taste personally, but there is still so much to like and admire in what is happening at the St. James Theatre right now. I will definitely be making a few return visits to this one.

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 07:02 AM

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 7:20am

Given the lack of sets and projections etc. what are people’s thoughts about where to sit? Is this something that will be a good view from the balcony? If you sat on the sides would you miss some? I know a lot of us don’t always buy the most expensive tickets so I’m just wondering which of the cheaper options will be the best. This has me intrigued. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 7:27am

BwayinVan said: "Given the lack of sets and projections etc. what are people’s thoughts about where to sit? Is this something that will be a good view from the balcony? If you sat on the sides would you miss some? I know a lot of us don’t always buy the most expensive tickets so I’m just wondering which of the cheaper options will be the best. This has me intrigued."

I was front row balcony off to the side and thought the view was actually pretty great.

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 7:31am

bwayphreak234 said: "BwayinVan said: "Given the lack of sets and projections etc. what are people’s thoughts about where to sit? Is this something that will be a good view from the balcony? If you sat on the sides would you miss some? I know a lot of us don’t always buy the most expensive tickets so I’m just wondering which of the cheaper options will be the best. This has me intrigued."

I was front row balcony off to the side and thought the view was actually pretty great."

That's near where my seat is. Thanks!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 10:02am

Miss Nicole came out of the stage door in costume, drenched in blood to sign playbills. Genius PR move. By the time we got outside, it was a madhouse around that area so crazy, I just went home but now I’m pissed I didn’t force my way through the crowds. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 11:30am

Can someone please -- using spoiler tags or via DM -- explain the large amount of blood used at the end of this production? I'm genuinely curious, as I recall that in the original production there was certainly death at the end, but not a literal bloodbath....

[CreatureKitchen]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 11:37am

This is a super niche question but...can anyone confirm if they've changed Max's dialogue/lyrics about his relationship with Norma?

I ask because he's supposed to be about a decade older than her (according to character descriptions in the libretto). He's meant to be an up-and-coming director when she's 16. But they've cast an actor who's younger than Nicole and looks it. Did they change his age to get rid of the implication that he basically groomed Norma? Is he just meant to be the Doogie Howser of directors now?

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 11:37 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:14pm

18 + stick in the orchestra:

• Conductor
• 3 Keys
• 2 Reeds
• 1 Trumpet
• 1 Trombone
• 2 French Horns
• 1 Guitars
• 1 Drums/Percussion
• 1 Bass
• 3 Violins
• 1 Viola/Violin
• 1 Viola
• 1 Cello

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 12:14 PM

[broadwayboy222]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:17pm

First off, beyond thrilled over all the uniform praise across the board for this. Stoked beyond words to hopefully see this at some point soon. 
 

1. Anyone notice any merch being sold. If so, what were the items? Pictures if possible would be nice!

2. Did anyone do rush yesterday? If so, what was your experience like? When did the first in line arrive? Did they even sell any rush tickets for yesterday’s first preview?

Thanks so much for any info that can be provided!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:20pm

Windowcards, hat, shirts. One shirt just says “He doesn’t live with Mother” and it’s amazing lol

[DCDrama2]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:23pm

broadwayboy222 said: "First off, beyond thrilled over all the uniform praise across the board for this. Stoked beyond words to hopefully see this at some point soon.


1. Anyone notice any merch being sold. If so, what were the items? Pictures if possible would be nice!

2. Did anyone do rush yesterday? If so, what was your experience like? When did the first in line arrive? Did they even sell any rush tickets for yesterday’s first preview?

Thanks so much for any info that can be provided!"

My merch pic: https://imgur.com/SgizLqr

[TBFL]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:25pm

I am thrilled to hear peoples thoughts from the first preview,

The lighting is so smart in this production. It's almost like it's another character in the show. The DSM or whoever is on the book must be constantly calling for things to happen to the lighting/effects/video team

 

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Is Nicole still doing the sultry looks to camera?

Did Max cry at her breakdown? It broke my heart,, after all he had done for her

One thing that baffled me in London, was the single moment the back video wall turned red. It was a random moment with all the ensemble on stage. Why that moment?

Also, towards the very end, did they turn off every single light in the house, including the exit lights? the pitch black was very un-nerving.

On paper, it really shouldn't work, but yet it does in thrilling ways. Not everything lands, but you got to admire the big swings that Jamie Lloyd takes. Once you adjust to the style in the first few minutes, the whole thing flows so well.

Can't wait to come back and see it in November.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/29/24 at 12:33pm

Looks like they gave everyone a totebag that says "If you can't handle me at my Norma Desmond, you don't deserve me at my Nicole Scherzinger"(?)

Updated On: 9/29/24 at 12:33 PM