Scherzinger in SUNSET BLVD. Previews- Page 10

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 12:01pm

I don’t think the monster needs to be fully human to connect with them. The woman murders a man in cold blood. She’s not as sympathetic as some seem to want her to be. You can lament her, poor thing, but she’s ultimately a movie monster not unlike Dracula. Or, more aptly in this production, Nosferatu.

I can understand their plight - it takes a toll having to rely on the blood (or praise) of others just to live - but it doesn’t excuse their ultimately monstrous actions. Your mileage will ultimately vary on if that’s a satisfying reading of Sunset Blvd, but I think it’s perfectly acceptable for what is ultimately a VERY melodramatic and simple story.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 12:57pm

I agree that Scherzinger is a phenomenon. If the tickets were more affordable I would recommend going just to hear (and see) her performance of "With One Look" and then skipping the overwrought second act.

Singleticket - Review of SUNSET BOULEVARD

[Mellony]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 1:21pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I don’t think the monster needs to be fully human to connect with them. The woman murders a man in cold blood. She’s not as sympathetic as some seem to want her to be."

Totally, I think it’s a matter of preference, and not a right or wrong choice.

I just wanted to point out that I’m not going off of what I hypothetically “want” Norma to be, but the actual productions I’ve seen in the past that worked for me. Specifically, I wasn’t very fond of this show until I saw the Kennedy Center production with Stephanie J. Block, who played Norma as quite sympathetic and damaged. It was the first time the play “clicked” for me—I think because I was actually invested in the character and hoped things would turn out differently than the inevitable tragic ending.

With Nicole, I was watching a monster go on a rampage. Fun, but nothing deeper than that. So, I just think this version was never going to align with what I want out of the show.

 

Updated On: 10/6/24 at 01:21 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 3:01pm

the deeper problem though is that (again) lloyd is bumping up against the text. what makes her a monster? How does that square with the fact that Max is protecting her for all those years? Is she a monster when her fragility leads her to self harm? Does Joe know shes a monster or is she surprised when she morphs into something semi supernatural in act 2?

ColortheHours nails it in describing her towards the end of Act 2, but it isnt contextualized, and feels like a left turn. The character just doesnt come together, even as the songs are sung beyond perfectly.  

And thats ok! Its an interesting experiment/concept, but if you're sitting down to this story for the first time, I'm sorry, this production isnt interested in your experience. 

[Mellony]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 3:32pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Is she a monster when her fragility leads her to self harm?"

Sorry to keep posting, but yes this really stuck out to me. Nicole plays Norma's panic attacks and suicide attempt with no gravity to them. Her panic attack after Joe finishes the script and says he's moving out was played for laughs with how quickly Norma snaps out of it. Yes, Norma is manipulative, but her suicide attempt always seemed like a genuine act of desperation and vulnerability. Here, it felt more like Norma was just using Joe to finish her script, and it wasn't quite clear why she wanted to keep him after that. Removing that vulnerability doesn't square with her becoming so distraught at the end that she kills Joe rather than let him go.   

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 3:34pm

Though fascinating,, I think those reading into Norma‘s characterization in this production as being some kind of “literal monster” are missing the idea that we see Norma through the lens of Joe ‘s perception of her. He is the narrator. It’s his version of her story. Yes, perhaps to Joe, Norma even is something of a vampire as she begins to take over his life and self agency. But a “literal monster “- I think that is reading  too much into it.

And now - *spoiler alert* - in terms of Normas line reading of the iconic “I am the greatest star of them all “ - The two times I saw the show. I noticed that there are moments in the final scene where Jamie Lloyd plays around with slow motion to heighten dramatic beats. I, thus, interpreted Nicole’s reading of this line to be a slow motion scream. Even Tom’s laugh in response is delivered in a slower than natural rhythm. 

Updated On: 10/6/24 at 03:34 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 3:36pm

i thought scherzinger played each scene just fine- i saw the fragility moments, i saw the hurt/wounded moments, and i saw the "im a monster here to eat your soul" moments- and nicole delivered each perfectly. but they dont add up to much of a whole. theyre disjointed and haphazard. its not her fault, shes being directed to give us a little bit from various characters, and the production is confident her charisma/voice will carry the day. it almost does!

[cirque]

Posted: 10/6/24 at 11:16pm

yyys said: "Anyone know why Orchestra B seat 10 is considered partial view? They're selling them for $99-$119 depending on the day."

Curious about this too. Coming over in January and hoping to see it a couple of times - am wondering if it's actually restricted or just reduced in price due to it being a single seat?

[altonido]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:21am

I'd say this production functions in the way numerous contemporary "auteur" opera productions do.   Set "La Boheme" on the moon (it's been done); stage "Macbeth" in an imagined dystopia of the future (saw this in a telecast starring Anna Netrebko); or have "Tristan and Isolde" take place at Trump Tower.  In all cases, the words the performers are singing often don't align with what you're seeing.   And the current "Sunset" goes out of its way to get rid of as many references to old film stars ("the Fairbanks, the Gilberts, the Valentinos," Hedy Lamarr, Pearl White, etc.) as possible.

[starlightlocamotion]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:54am

I can’t help but feel that the film adaptation is going to be made and in a full circle turn of events … Glenn is ousted by Andrew to make way for Nicole. 
 

Nicole just posted a video on tik tok of Andrew saying it’s the best performance of anything he’s ever had … truly think the momentum of her performance & this revival will prompt Andrew to make the movie happen with Nicole.

[inception]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 7:00am

Webber will say anything to make a buck.  

[Skip23]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:07pm

What’s there to film?

 

no movie audience would sit still for this dreck. 
 

just do videos of Nicole singing her songs in half-time and mugging to the camera and call it a day. 
 

 

[Mellony]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:44pm

ALW would be saying he "always wrote the score with Sarah Brightman's voice in mind" if that was the production with buzz around it.

[binau]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 1:16pm

Well I guess she just played the part - did he say that? I agree that he probably would be doing his job with the marketing though haha. 

[Mellony]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 2:20pm

binau said: "Well I guess she just played the part - did he say that?"

No, because it got bad reviews and no buzz. That's my point. I'm saying he'll ally himself with whatever production is currently getting buzz and critical acclaim and/or making $$$. 

[binau]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 4:14pm

I see, I agree I think you're right he'd say anything if it suited the moment. That said, even if it's marketing BS I do agree with it!

By the way, does anyone know how much this is on at the TKTS board each day? Is it 50%? I've noticed that despite a weak advance word of mouth is indeed picking up and it looks like they will have a strong first week, which I anticipate will continue indefinitely - but they are selling loads of tickets on the day/day before right now!

 

[scripps]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 4:42pm

binau said: "I see, I agree Ithink you're right he'd say anything if it suited the moment. That said, even if it's marketing BS I do agree with it!

By the way, does anyone know how much this is on at the TKTS board each day? Is it 50%? I've noticed that despite a weak advance word of mouth is indeed picking up and it looks like they will have a strong first week, which I anticipate will continue indefinitely - but they are selling loads of tickets on the day/day before right now!"

Visit TKTS Live and you can view what is offered daily in real time. Right now <i>Sunset</i> is up for 40%. It's a big house. It's going to be on TKTS a lot.

 

[tacotheatrelover]

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

Should i book to see Nicole or Mandy in this?

I'm buying the rest of my trip today so I'd like more opinions

[BorisTomashevsky]

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

tacotheatrelover said: "Should i book to see Nicole or Mandy in this?

I'm buying the rest of my trip today so I'd like more opinions "


Based on how soft sales look, you could probably walk in and watch both for free. 

[tacotheatrelover]

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

that would be so so cool but my schedule only allows to do one illegal

unless i replace seeing sterophonic then there is no doing both

[inception]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 7:52pm

Are you looking at the Mandy dates because you want to use the TodayTix $20 off offer, and those are only good for a Tuesday?  What day is otherwise open for Sunset Blvd?  How many tickets? No one has yet seen Mandy's performance.  It might be best to use the discount code for Stereophonic and wait to buy Sunset at TKTS.

Edit: When you go home you're going to want to be able to brag a bit & say you saw Nicole.

Edit2: The code Norma1 still works on the Nicole dates in November & if you are buying more than one ticket, it works out the same as the TodayTix offer.  The code also works on the cheaper seats bringing even some Mezz searts down to $88

Updated On: 10/7/24 at 07:52 PM

[TBFL]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 11:24pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "tacotheatrelover said: "Should i book to see Nicole or Mandy in this?

I'm buying the rest of my trip today so I'd like more opinions "


Based on how soft sales look, you could probably walk in and watch both for free."

The St.James has gotten rid of all it's ushers and door staff have they? Good to know...

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 12:01am

inception said: "Are you looking at the Mandy dates because you want to use the TodayTix $20 off offer, and those are only good for aTuesday? What day is otherwise open for Sunset Blvd? How many tickets?No one has yet seen Mandy's performance. It might be best to use the discount code for Stereophonic and wait to buy Sunset at TKTS.

Edit: When you go home you're going to want to be able to brag a bit & say you saw Nicole.

Edit2: The code Norma1 still works on the Nicole dates in November & if you are buying more than one ticket, it works out the same as the TodayTix offer. The code also works on the cheaper seats bringing even some Mezz searts down to $88"

I'm just looking at "should i see one or the other" i have the money for both

I had to knock a day off my trip so what was supposed to be a sunday 3pm mat is now either tuesday or thursday night show

Tuesday the 12th is Mandy, And Thursday the 14th is Nicole

If i do wanna flex i might swap sterophonic for tuesday and Sunset for Thursday

I'll be able to flex the fact that i saw Adam Lambert to most adult's and Auil'i to most other people in my class (high school) since we've all seen the mean girls movie

It's not really about the flexing, it's about seeing different stuff and figuring out finally if this is really what i wanna do in my life Updated On: 10/8/24 at 12:01 AM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 12:17am

Despite a good production, this musical is still mediocre and I could easily take another 30 minutes of cuts (chorus songs in particular). But Nicole is a revelation.  Indelible in every sense of the word. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 3:45am

TBone said: "IlThere were a few other things that made me scratch my head:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Why so much Artie? The close-up of him with the tears streaming down his face seemed a bit much for a character that doesn’t mean very much to us.



The business of the ensemble member and the drugs behind Joe and Betty before “Too Much in Love to Care” was distracting and had the audience laughing at a moment when I thought we should be listening to what’s going on with Joe and Betty…



Can anyone explain the removing of the mics?

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

"Why so much Artie? The close-up of him with the tears streaming down his face seemed a bit much for a character that doesn’t mean very much to us."

To me this is Lloyd's best use of mixing the old with the modern. The tear on Artie's face is a meme. And today's memes are sort of the equivalent of yesterday's silent films, putting across an emotion silently with only image.

I'm, of course, not sure if this was his reasoning, but I got that from that moment right away...