Stefanie Powers as Norma in Ogunquit's "Sunset Boulevard"

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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 [phone].





Stefanie Powers

Updated On: 7/28/10 at 06:30 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 7:38am

I 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.

[PalJoey]

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.

Updated On: 7/29/10 at 08:08 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

[Flight0017]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:39am

Apparently, she will don the costumes that were used in the original production. Too bad I won't be able to attend...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

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

Updated On: 7/28/10 at 10:46 AM

[JRybka]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:47am

I always thought they WANTED actresses who could not sing for the role. That is why they went with Miss Glenn Close.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:51am

I was SO hoping to make it to this, but it's not looking like I'll be able to. Is anyone planning to attend?

[Flight0017]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 11:50am

Patti LuPone FANatic: you have a PM :)

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 12:18pm

I 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.

[BroadwayBenny]

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]

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]

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.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:30pm

Will 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.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 1:37pm

~ she'll always be 'the girl from uncle' and 'mrs. "h"' to me.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 2:57pm

wonderwaiter,

I'll do my best.