Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's "Sunset Boulevard"
Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's "Sunset Boulevard"
#1Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's "Sunset Boulevard"
Posted: 7/28/10 at 6:30am
Hello. I read this interesting article by Andrew Gans. Is anyone familiar with Stefanie Powers' singing? from RC in Austin, Texas
With One Look": Stefanie Powers Is Norma Desmond in Ogunquit Playhouse's Sunset Boulevard
By Andrew Gans
28 Jul 2010
Stefanie Powers
Stage and screen star Stefanie Powers dons a turban in the Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, which runs July 28-Aug. 14 at the Maine venue.
Shaun Kerrison directs the production, which boasts the Tony-nominated costumes designed for the Broadway run by Anthony Powell. An all-new set has been designed exclusively for the Ogunquit stage by Todd Ivins.
Powers is joined on stage by Todd Gearhart as Joe Gillis, Sal Mistretta as Max and Christina Decicco as Betty Schaefer.
The musical, which is based on the classic Billy Wilder film, features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.
The 1950 film "Sunset Blvd.," directed by Wilder, concerned an out of-work screenwriter named Joe Gillis who happens upon the home of former silent-screen star Norma Desmond. William Holden and Gloria Swanson starred in the film, which won three Academy Awards. Lloyd Webber's musical version debuted in London with Patti LuPone as Norma. Glenn Close opened the Los Angeles and Broadway productions; other Normas included Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige, Diahann Carroll, Petula Clark, Helen Schneider, Linda Balgord and Debra Byrne.
Stefanie Powers, who is best known for her TV work on "Hart to Hart," also starred in a U.K. revival and a U.S. national tour of The King & I. Her numerous stage credits include Oliver!, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady and the London production of Matador. She also starred as the legendary Margo Channing in a touring revival of Applause – The Musical All About Eve. She reunited with "Hart to Hart" co-star Robert Wagner in the play Love Letters in London's West End, followed by tours of the play in the U.S. and Canada.
The summer season kicked off June 9 with the award-winning The Drowsy Chaperone, and continues with Monty Python's Spamalot (Aug. 18-Sept. 11) and Chicago (Sept. 15-Oct. 24).
For more information visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call (207) 646-5511.
Stefanie Powers
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 7/28/10 at 06:30 AM
#2Stephanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 7:38amI saw her in Applause at the Papermill in the mid 90s, and she was fine, but that role is nowhere near as vocally demanding as Norma.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
#2Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 8:08am
It's Stefanie with and "f" not Stephanie with a "ph" because Stefanie with an "f" goes...
I can't figure out what the should come next, but please change the spelling in the thread title.
#3Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 9:18am
Well, it's nice to "see" that you still post something from time to time.
By the way, it's "please" not "pkease". "I can't figure out what the ( ? ) should come next, but "pkease" change the spelling in the thread title.
PalJoey, do you have anything to say about Ms. Powers' voice?
from RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#4Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:39amApparently, she will don the costumes that were used in the original production. Too bad I won't be able to attend...
"Curse you, Lady Glyde!"
#5Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:46am
It's great that she'll wear those fabulous Anthony Powell designs...especially that fantastic "AIWNSG" skirt/masterpiece(better... Brody?) when she goes to Paramount. from RC in Austin, Texas
Ogunquit Playhouse
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 7/28/10 at 10:46 AM
#6Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:47amI always thought they WANTED actresses who could not sing for the role. That is why they went with Miss Glenn Close.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#7Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:51amI was SO hoping to make it to this, but it's not looking like I'll be able to. Is anyone planning to attend?
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#8Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 11:50amPatti LuPone FANatic: you have a PM :)
"Curse you, Lady Glyde!"
#9Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 12:18pmI saw Ms Powers in On Your Toes in LA a couple of years ago - she has a good voice and, of course, a wonderful stage presence. She'll be fine as Norma Desmond.
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
#10Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:04pm
I loved her best when she was bitch slapping Ken Berry with a lobster in...
Disney's Masterpiece "Herbie Rides Again"
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#11Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:19pm
especially that fantastic "AIWNSG" gown when she goes to Paramount.
Huh? What? Norma wears a skirt suit NOT a gown when she goes to the Paramount's Stage 18 soundstage.
NOTE: the skirt below covers the knees but isn't floor length whatsoever. The bottom portion of LuPone is too dark to show this.
lovesclassics
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
#12Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:23pm
^Hah! Forgot all about the Herbie movies. LOL
I'm going Saturday. I've never seen her on stage, but her Hart to Hart glamour should work really well for this. I remember her from an old John Wayne movie where she sang. She was a kid then but had a pretty rich voice from what I recall. Her bio shows good credits. Ogunquit's casting is always solid. I'm sure she'll be fine, maybe even wonderful. Looking forward to it.
#13Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:30pmWill you post back and let us know how it was? I'm still irked that I'm not going to be able to see it.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#14Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:37pm
~ she'll always be 'the girl from uncle' and 'mrs. "h"' to me. 
lovesclassics
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
#15Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's 'Sunset'
Posted: 7/28/10 at 2:57pm
wonderwaiter,
I'll do my best.
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