Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread — Page 21

Steve C. said: "Hi QA et all,

Quick side question, there is a pro-Muslim rally on 2/19 from W 48th to W 53rd. Is the entrance to the Palace on 47th or 48th ? I can't remember. I don't know how large turn out will be so I guess I'll find out, (my foot is in a cast), walking and or parking should be interesting. Thanks all!

"

Steve - the main entrance is basically in front of the TXTS booth/Duffy square... Hadn't heard about a rally but I would think you should have no problems getting into the theatre. The city isn't going to let the TXTS booth get blocked on a 60 degree Sunday in February. Enjoy the show

Glenn is scheduled to do every performance each week (which is why they are doing a 7 performance week instead of the normal . So any absences she has would be the result of illness or another unforeseen circumstance, thus can't be predicted.

Interesting article/review on Sunset /Hillary Clinton's visit: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/18/when-hillary-clinton-met-norma-desmond-review-of-sunset-boulevard-on-broadway.html

Apologies if this has been mentioned already, but are they any good discount codes valid through May? I'm in NY the first weekend and this board has me convinced that this is an unmissable performance.

Also looking for seating recommendations - sounds like front mezz is the best place for this production.

For some dates they have full priced, if not premium, 5th or 6th row orchestra center seats. I'd say grab these to get your money's worth.

Hmm, okay. I'm convinced that sitting close would be worth it. Just need to take a second job so I can pay for them tickets now.

I was listening to the OBC recording today, and the haunting tones in the music really remind me of The Visit. I wonder if Chita Rivera was ever approached to play Norma. She'd have been so good.

Just found a new interview with Michael Xavier: http://www.newnownext.com/michael-xavier-sunset-boulevard/02/2017/

chernjam said: "Just found a new interview with Michael Xavier: http://www.newnownext.com/michael-xavier-sunset-boulevard/02/2017/"

"Miss Great Plains"!

Valentina -

Going in to see Sunset on Feb 4, I was apprehensive about Michael Xavier as there seemed to be a lot of people trash talking him on boards post the London run of this production. But honestly, having seen Sunset 10 times now (Alan Campbell 7 of those times), he's by far the best Joe I've seen. He reminds me a bit of Kevin Anderson's portrayal.

Campbell and Close in the Original production played their respective roles very differently. Campbell was much more angry/aggressive. Close was almost Royal. This production is much more human and moving. Close is hanging on by a thread throughout - a hurt, fragile creature who's desperate for love - from the audience and from a companion. Joe is hanging by a thread too - financially bankrupt and discouraged and turned off by Hollywood. The effect is overwhelming

That's good to hear, chernjam . Princeton2's review is more in line with Ben Brantley who call Xavier a "light-weight".

Well, under the category of "opinions are like..." I have to disagree with a few posters.

First, I think Michael Xavier put's his own stamp on Joe Gillis. I found his hard boiled cynicism a little more evident. He sounded great vocally; he's definitely a victim of the re-staging, especially "The Lady's Paying" and "This Time Next Year". He's not John Barrowman or Alan Campbell but he does sing the role very, very well. I also don't remember the second act opening "Sunset Boulevard" featuring Joe Gillis and his collection of abs. (whoosh!) MX does look nice.

Actually I was more disappointed with the orchestra buried onstage, the sound and orchestrations were not even. We were 4th row orchestra.

Yet again, Close does the crazy, "we had faces bit" a little too much. I still think her acting is why people like her, but for me Betty Buckley is still "my" true Norma Desmond. BB sings, acts, and wonderfully plays ND's strengths as well as fragility and tragic demise. Max's role which was much deeper in the original is reduced to his featured song. Siobhan Dillon is fine, both acting and singing as Betty Schaefer.

If this does continue without Close, they would really need a great quartet to keep this going. Alice Ripley still might seem too young for Norma, I don't think BB would do it indefinitely...the casting prod/dir would have their hands full re-casting.

Still, though very VERY costly, I'm glad we got to see it. Now, just like ALW, we've seen all 4 of his shows running at the same time.

With the right star, no theater is too large to fill. I mean, wouldn't you pay to see the likes of, say, Bette Midler (I know, it's just an example)?



They might have to cut the orchestra to a more manageable/affordable size. Don't know if that's against the union rules, or if there's any precedent for that.

Valentina3 said: "With the right star, no theater is too large to fill. I mean, wouldn't you pay to see the likes of, say, Bette Midler (I know, it's just an example)?

They might have to cut the orchestra to a more manageable/affordable size. Don't know if that's against the union rules, or if there's any precedent for that.

"

While Sunset remains one of my all time favorites - and I love this production - I sincerely doubt this turns into an Open Run engagement. If it became a sold out - hamilton-esque kind of ticket demand - I would say maybe... but as much as it's done really well so far, the reality is tickets are still readily available. Plus they really billed this as GLENN CLOSE in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. Kind of set it up as a star vehicle.