Sunset Blvd - Movie musical- Page 4

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 4:58pm

McG would sing the hell out of the score too. Especially my favorite song, "Surrender".

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 5:00pm

I hate you all for putting this into my head as it will never happen and now I won't be satisfied with any other!!!

Well, except Liza...

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 5:00pm

Jim, that's so great! HA!

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 5:00pm

Jim, that's so great! HA!

Drats! Double post. Updated On: 2/16/05 at 05:00 PM

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 5:15pm

Beaverhausen ~ I saw Petula too in the tour. (2 times) I didn't feel she did it any justice. I felt she was playing it for cutes and laughs which didn't seem like "Norma". It was strange when she killed Joe because it seemed to be out of character for the Norma that Petula portrayed. What blew my mind,was a couple of months ago ALWEBBER did a concert version of the show with Michael Ball and Petula Clark! Why would he pair up someone like Michael with some as horrible as Petula?
I couldn't understand it.
Plus, the touring set was not as 'grand' as the LA version. In fact, the staging and props were altogether different. Updated On: 2/16/05 at 05:15 PM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:36pm

Why not Whoopi Goldberg as Norma in the movie?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:48pm

Okay, take away the singing for a second......I think Glen Close could act the FOOL out of the role of a somewhat psycotic person. FATAL ATTRACTION anyone. Ok, her singing voice isn't the greatest, I do give you that but it is not "bad" either on the cd (I have never seen the show) you can hear the emotion in her voice and she pulls a few great "Gloria Swansonisms." I would love to see her in the part.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:12pm

I can't believe no one has mentioned the most obvious and perfect choice for the role of NORMA! I'm talking about a diva that could act the living daylights out of it: Nathan Lane.

:)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:13pm

Glenn Close is my first choice - she was absolutely incredible.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:13pm

Spider, you can't take the singing out of SUNSET.

And Beav - you can't compare Britney's brand of dance/pop to the SUNSET score. If they cast Close, they better hire Marni Nixon as well.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:17pm

Well, DUH!!! LOL I was just saying. I think she is quite good as Norma Desmond. But, to have Maureen would be bliss.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:50pm

I know, Beav - I was just saying it's much easier to make someone sound stomachable (may I take your word?) in a dance/pop context than in this one.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 07:50 PM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:20pm

What about Meg Ryan?

[Caleb]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:21pm

Anybody tricking themselves into believing Liza could even ATTEMPT to sing the role is living in some fantasy world. The score would literally need to be transposed down an octave, and any note that lasted longer than two beats would need to be shortened. I love Liza, and she used to be great, and she's still a great performer, but no amount of training or studio magic could make her voice suitable for this role.

Glenn Close sang fine, in my opinion, but that was ten years ago. I bet she could still do it, and I bet she'd be VERY good (in my opinion she's one of the most talented actresses who has just never found that "it" role that qualified her as one of "The Greats").

News of Anthony Hopkins kind of frightens me. I have no qualms about his acting, but I really love the vocal interpretation of George Hearn on the recording. I like Max as an extremely powerful baritone. I'm not saying George should do it, but I'd like a voice like his. Anthony Hopkins is so softspoken, I would guess that if he can sing, he isn't the epitome of power. I feel like I could be proven wrong, but who wants to risk it?

I love ALW, but I feel the score should be reworked a little bit to add some new themes to the second act. I always defend his use of reprisals, but Sunset Boulevard takes it too far. There are only two new musical themes in the second act (As If We Never Said Goodbye and Too Much In Love To Care). EVERYTHING else is a reprise. Something should be altered. Even just one new song, or even just rewrite some of the recitative. I also would love to hear a rich re-orchestration like Phantom got. Although, Sunset's recording has a very good orchestra to begin. Synthesizers are used, but they are subtle and underneath the rest of the orchestra. I also love the thick, dramatic strings. They are obviously mimicking the orchestrations of old hollywood movies. I love it!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:24pm

I think Liza would be good too, I really do.

What's with people not liking Glenn? She's brilliant.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 5:15am

Just because Liza Minnelli has similarities to both Gloria Swanson and Norma Desmond is no reason to cast her in this movie (if it even happens!). Everything I wanted to say has already been said by Caleb, but I can't stress enough how wrong her voice is for the part - seeing her on the Royal Variety Performance a few months ago demonstrated how shot her voice is now

[Sant]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 8:35am

According to Glenn Close herself, she was not that happy with the SUNSET BOULEVARD cd. After she had left the show she said it would have been better if it had been recorded towards the end of her run on Broadway, because she had learned a great deal about singing by then and how to use her voice better.

She performed "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye" at ALW's 50th birthday gala in the late 90's (the show had closed on B'way by then) and one can actually hear how different (and better in my opinion) her live version of "WOL" is. Her voice is stronger and her performance is more emotional than on the cd (of course it is a bit different seeing AND hearing the actress than just hearing her voice...). So I don't think Close would be that bad in the role.

But I do think Streep would be better...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:15am

Isn't it sad that Close "had learned a great deal about singing by then and how to use her voice better." How great it would have been if she had been there at the BEGINNING. People paid the same ticket price throughout.

And you will never convince me that Close would sing it better than Liza. I believe if Liza was cast she'd work her a** off to get her voice back in shape, knowing what was at stake. The woman has had more than one comeback. She knows how to do it.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:32am

I'm excited that Anthony Hopkins was mentioned and would be for him in the role of Max, providing he was able to bring strong vocal substance. As far as Joe is concerned, Hugh Jackman would be nice, but I would rather see Patrick Wilson. I think he has the better voice and the right look for the character.

As far as Glenn is concerned, she would be great. Like repeated before, ALW's 50 birthday celebration documented how well her voice is suited for the role. Plus, she'd be able to act the heck of it.

I have no idea re: casting for Betty ~ though I'm sure, many of you will have a good suggestions.

How about Alfonzo Cuaron as directer? He's not afraid of going into dark/taboo subject matter. Updated On: 2/17/05 at 09:32 AM

[Plum]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:37am

I would like to take this moment to state that every time someone refers to "McG" I think of the Charlie's Angels director.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:39am

There's a new McG in town, Plum. Get used to it.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:45am

It just sounds weird, is all. :)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:46am

To some, perhaps...would you like me to come up with something new? I love McG though...but you're right...

[Sant]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:01pm

"And you will never convince me that Close would sing it better than Liza."

Rath: I'm not even trying to convince you. You think Liza would be perfect for the role, I think almost anyone but Liza would be perfect for the role. No big deal. You are entitled to your opinion, and I'm to mine. End of the story.

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:24pm

I saw LUPONE, CLOSE, BUCKLEY, PAIGE and CLARK as I was a bit of a Sunset groupie when it came out. As terrifically as Patti could deliver the score it was just not beleivable that she was an aging and "past it" movie star. When she sang AIWNSG you couldn't help thinking "Why is she not a huge star". Glenn brought a more faded grandeur to the role and her light singing voice actually helped keep the belief in the character alive.
I think as SUNSET movie starring Glenn would put bums on seats! Though we could go for a glorious flop with Liza???