Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread — Page 22

Updated On: 2/23/17 at 08:15 AM

I just stumbled upon this piece of nostalgia from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/04/theater/for-sunset-boulevard-it-s-the-end-of-the-road.html

"In spite of the hundreds of thousands of people who saw 'Sunset' since it opened at the Minskoff on Nov. 11, 1994, there were not enough of them, and the show closed without having made back the $13 million it cost to put it on."

This is particularly sad:

"Most of the set, custom built for this production and too large for a road show, is to be taken apart and junked. Norma's mansion, which weighs 17 tons, may look like a livable place, but that's show biz. 'The couch is the most uncomfortable thing you've ever sat on, believe me,' said Jim Woolley, another stage manager. Some of the office equipment has been sold to a production of the musical 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' due on Broadway next fall; some of the backstage curtains have been donated to a small theater in Florida. The car is to be listed for sale in an antique auto catalogue. The sculptures in the mansion are to be given to some of the stars or returned to the sculptor, Nino Novoleno. Assorted costumes and props are to be stored in Ossining, N.Y."

Updated On: 2/23/17 at 01:05 PM

The follow up to that was that ALW wrote her an apology, she accepted it and they all lived happily ever after :). That was in April of 1995. But the time the tonys came and sunset swept and all, this became just another silly drama in a show history that was filled with them....

Lot666 said: "I just stumbled upon this piece of nostalgia from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/04/theater/for-sunset-boulevard-it-s-the-end-of-the-road.html

"In spite of the hundreds of thousands of people who saw 'Sunset' since it opened at the Minskoff on Nov. 11, 1994, there were not enough of them, and the show closed without having made back the $13 million it cost to put it on."


I would love it if they ever did a whole book/behind the scenes of Sunset from firing Amy Powers after the first Sydmonton tryout to this opening of the revival in New York. Truly it's provided eequal drama on and off stage


This is particularly sad:

"Most of the set, custom built for this production and too large for a road show, is to be taken apart and junked. Norma's mansion, which weighs 17 tons, may look like a livable place, but that's show biz. 'The couch is the most uncomfortable thing you've ever sat on, believe me,' said Jim Woolley, another stage manager. Some of the office equipment has been sold to a production of the musical 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' due on Broadway next fall; some of the backstage curtains have been donated to a small theater in Florida. The car is to be listed for sale in an antique auto catalogue. The sculptures in the mansion are to be given to some of the stars or returned to the sculptor, Nino Novoleno. Assorted costumes and props are to be stored in Ossining, N.Y.""

I had thought I had read they had stored one of the sets but I suppose that is wishful thinking and not practical.

Lot666 said: "I'm trying to avoid establishing an opinion of Mr. Xavier as Joe until I actually get to see his performance two weeks from now, but watching the brief clips that have been posted on the internet, there seems to be something a bit "off" about the way he sings/pronounces the phrase "Sunset Boulevard". I can't put my finger on exactly what about it feels odd to me, but I believe it has to do with which syllables he places emphasis on."

A lot of Brits interpret the American accent as having very hard "R's". Everyone can't be Hugh Laurie. I have a hard time listening to a lot of West End actors trying to sing in an American accent.

Lot666 said: "chernjam said: "The follow up to that was that ALW wrote her an apology, she accepted it and they all lived happily ever after :). That was in April of 1995. But the time the tonys came and sunset swept and all, this became just another silly drama in a show history that was filled with them...."

Thanks for filling in the missing pieces. If the scenario in that Times article had actually been the way things were left, I just couldn't imagine her having any interest in doing this again. Now I wish he would reconcile things with Ms. LuPone.
"

I have a huge box of clippings, articles, magazines of Sunset Blvd coverage from the 1990s. Didn't know what fascinated me so much about this show -- had never done that before and haven't since --- but I pretty much was fascinated by every aspect of this show, as I said, both on and off stage. And it's still intriguing to me. Will have to get that box out to share some more tidbits and memories of it.

I kind of think Michael Riedel misses what an amazing circus that entire first run was on both sides of the Atlantic - that he's hoping for some similar fireworks once again (even asking Glenn about Patti taking over for her here in NY on Opening Night for example) Hence the speculation he's putting out there. I was surprised that they extended the initial run from 16 to 20 weeks (although, truth be told, I picked that up in one of Michael Xavier's initial Vlogs that he said he was moving into the dressing room for "the next 6 months" I'd love for Sunset to stay as an open run, even through the Summer (since I forget when the Palace needs to close for it's renovations) but for now, I'm just glad that it returned as it did. Not with some small -actors playing instruments production - but a big, in its own right - production... And hope that for the producers it proves a hit

Village Voice Review: http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/ready-for-another-close-up-sunset-boulevard-comes-back-to-broadway-9695881

chernjam said: "Feature/Review on Sunset from NY Magazine just published: http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/02/glenn-close-is-ready-for-a-second-turn-in-sunset-boulevard.html"

"She even had the monkey mannequin from the original production — Sunset opens with Desmond mourning her deceased simian pal. 'He had a nice refurbishment. He has a penis and little balls and nipples. It’s fabulous.'”

LOL! Why was it that detailed?

Discovered this Omnibus episode on the musical today. Was nice seen the b-roll from original broadway (LA?, I noticed Judy Kuhn in a scene) production.

I'm a huge fan of the show, but I think the recording with Glenn and Judy Kuhn is perfection and there is no need for a new recording. So happy that Judy was able to record this...she will always be the best Betty and Glenn will always be the best Norma. I love Alan Campbell too.

Princeton I'd settle for that... didn't realize Glenn's illness was what sidelined that recording last year.

that's just a rumor...no evidence to any of that...sorry!