Sunset Boulevard Cast Recording- Page 2

[Joe Mike2]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 3:02pm

The show was obviously way overproduced. And they stuck too close to the movie. There was no need to begin with Joe at the bottom of the swimming pool or to have the car chase which I thought looked ridiculous anyway. The whole thing needed to be rethought in theatrical terms. I still think it could be wonderful, but they would need a creative director not wedded to the movie and a star who can sing as well as LuPone.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 1:28am

I thought LuPone/Anderson were "Perfect" at the Adelphi! That was a great show, then something went wrong...Next thing you know LuPone & ALW are at war and (OF ALL PEOPLE!) Faye ("Mommie Dearest") Dunaway is about to open the show in Los Angeles and is axed? ("Tina, Bring me the AXE!!!")- strange, very strange.

[Sant]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 9:30am

"... giving the role to a novice..."

Referring to Glenn Close? A NOVICE? She was no novice considering performing on a theatre stage. Not even when a stage musical is considered! She had already performed in the musicals BARNUM and REX.

It's too bad that they never recorded the show with Elaine Paige. After Patti she must have been one of the best Normas when it comes to singing (no offence to Betty or other Normas but they're no match to Elaine when singing is concerned). She did record 3 songs from the show though, "With One Look", "As If We Never Said Goodbye" of course, and "The Perfect Year". The songs are included on her cd ENCORE! Her version of "WOL" is wonderful, close to the original slow(-ish) tempo, but unfortunately it is sung in the re-written key - the arrangement made to suit Glenn Close's voice.

[mcphan19]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 11:29am

there's nothing wrong with the re-written key - personally I think the key change makes the song more dramatic. and FYI as far as I know (at least of all the different recordings, singles, etc. of "With One Look") only Patti and Linda Bagnold sing the end without the key change)

Glenn sang beautifully on the Barnum CD and that was years before she was in Sunset.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 11:34am

The LuPone/Anderson recording is the ONLY way to go. I hated the Close/Campbell recording, and thought it was the show I didnt like, then a LuPone obsessed friend handed me the OLC and I was instantly a fan.

[ALWrules]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 12:43pm

Just a comment on the Lupone episode over contract: My understanding was that Webber cancelled her contract under severe pressure from Paromount, who was a major backer of the show. Apparently at first he didn't want to remove Patti, but did after extreme pressure from the movie studio. I don't blame ALW for the episode, but rather Paromount.

[Sant]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 1:30pm

That's what I've understood as well. It was the American investors who wanted Glenn Close to lead the cast on Broadway because she had gotten such rave reviews for her performance and was a 'bigger name' than Patti. Patti had gotten some not-so-good notices in the papers in the USA for her performance in London and the investors saw them and wanted to play it safe. So ALW kind of had to fire Patti.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 2:25pm

Firing Patti for Glenn Close is a blasphemy. Paramount or NO Paramount. What happened to the ALW who said to America "No Sarah, No Phantom" and won? Besides, Why does the Catholic Church own the sidewalk in front of Paramount Studios? They do indeed and it's all very shadey.

[Sant]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 8:22pm

Well I guess it was easier for him to say "No Sarah, no Phantom" with a BRITISH producer Cameron M on his side and with EVITA, CATS, LES MIS on their resent resume. But with SUNSET he didn't have CM to produce the show no matter who starred the show, so I suppose he kind of had to do what the investors wanted.

Catholic Church OWNS the sidewalk?? Never heard of that.