Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread — Page 47

10086sunset said: "BuddyStarr said: "10086sunset said: "I still think ALW made the right call.

Nothing personal against Miss LuPone, Glenn was the better fit."

I'm guessing you didn't see Patti LuPone do Norma.  She was phenomenal.  I saw Glenn Close in this revival...not so much."

 

I've seen them all.

Have always thought LuPone's performance was not equal to Close.  Her portrayal of the character didn't feel right. While we can agree who has the superior vocals, there's more to a role than singing. The acting between the two was never close. ALW thought the same, otherwise Patti wouldn't have that pool she loves to mention."
 

Of course Patti was also directed to play Norma the way she played it.  You can't blame the actress for the director's vision.  I saw Glenn in the recent revival because of her supposedly "high acting" skills and was very underwhelmed.  Her vocals were even worse than I expected.  I would have liked to have seen Dihann Caroll play Norma because I do like her on the Canadian Cast recording (Rex Smith not so much).  Elaine Paige was also a "Meh", don't really recall her performance but do remember that she was lost on the stage.

 

BuddyStarr said: "Of course Patti was also directed to play Norma the way she played it.  You can't blame the actress for the director's vision.  I saw Glenn in the recent revival because of her supposedly "high acting" skills and was very underwhelmed.  Her vocals were even worse than I expected.  I would have liked to have seen Dihann Caroll play Norma because I do like her on the Canadian Cast recording (Rex Smith not so much).  Elaine Paige was also a "Meh", don't really recall her performance but do remember that she was lost on the stage.

 

I don't blame the actor for the director's vision. The same director directed Patti and Glenn, hence why I don't completely believe it was just a case of Miss LuPone not fitting the director's vision. I tend to fully agree with something Lot666 mentioned earlier, that on the vocal parts of the London recording, Patti sounds like Patti and not like the Norma Desmond character. 

At the time, a bunch of reviews said Ms. LuPone seemed young and invulnerable for the part. I don't know about the young comment but I agree with the view she was invulnerable. 

I'm sorry you were underwhelmed with Close in the recent revival. I was underwhelmed with Miss LuPone when she played the role. At the end of the day, perhaps it's simply a matter of preference. 

Carroll was very good as Norma. Happen to feel the same way about Paige. She may not have looked the part physically but her acting and singing certainly justified her casting. 

 

10086sunset said: "
I don't blame the actor for the director's vision. The same director directed Patti and Glenn, hence why I don't completely believe it was just a case of Miss LuPone not fitting the director's vision. I tend to fully agree with something Lot666 mentioned earlier, that on the vocal parts of the London recording, Patti sounds like Patti and not like the Norma Desmond character. 

At the time, a bunch of reviews said Ms. LuPone seemed young and invulnerable for the part. I don't know about the young comment but I agree with the view she was invulnerable. 

I'm sorry you were underwhelmed with Close in the recent revival. I was underwhelmed with Miss LuPone when she played the role. At the end of the day, perhaps it's simply a matter of preference. 

Carroll was very good as Norma. Happen to feel the same way about Paige. She may not have looked the part physically but her acting and singing certainly justified her casting. 

"

Well I guess the adage different strokes for different folks... Find Carrol's recording unlistenable and as for Paige - I kind of blame the closing of Sunset in NY on her.  Found myself agreeing with whoever the reviewer it was that called her "cartoonish" - and comparatively speaking thought Buckley sang it (and acted it) much better then the so-called "First Lady of Musical Theatre (UK)" 

As for Patti... what else is there to say...

Last night, in Norwalk, CT, Betty Buckley took part in a show with 7 other Broadway musical theatre performers. I didn't get a ticket because I'm already going to see her solo show at the same venue on June 3. Apparently, she sang "As If We Never Said Goodbye," and I'm kicking myself for not going. Her solo show is in support of her new album, Story Songs, so I have a feeling she won't be singing it again, but I'm still daring to hope.

To all those interested in seeing/hearing Nancy Anderson as Norma..... you're welcome.  Hoping there's a clip of her With One Look out there as well!

 https://www.facebook.com/divarobbie/posts/10158610585025621

Thanks so much for posting, with that said. Glenn owns this role. I got to see Betty, I heard Patti's recording, watched Elaine doing it and they were all not my cup of tea. I think Glenn is the best, followed by Debra Byrne perhaps. Nancy is a great actress and singer, but all wrong for Norma Desmond.

agirlnamedlucky said: "I just joined this forum (after stalking for many months!) just so that I could speak about my experience..."

I felt so terrible for you at the beginning of your post, but then was delighted to learn that your experience turned out so wonderfully in the end. I'm glad that Ms. Anderson delivered such a great performance and you enjoyed yourselves.

CT2NYC said: "Last night, in Norwalk, CT, Betty Buckley took part in a show with 7 other Broadway musical theatre performers. I didn't get a ticket because I'm already going to see her solo show at the same venue on June 3. Apparently, she sang "As If We Never Said Goodbye," and I'm kicking myself for not going. Her solo show is in support of her new album, Story Songs, so I have a feeling she won't be singing it again, but I'm still daring to hope."

I was wondering about this. Telly Leung posted something on social media a day or two ago about Ms. Buckley doing a wonderful rendition of "As If We Never Said Goodbye", but it wasn't clear where this took place. Of course, my wishful thinking immediately hoped it was some hint that the show was going to extend with her.

muscle23ftl said: "Thanks so much for posting, with that said. Glenn owns this role. I got to see Betty, I heard Patti's recording, watched Elaine doing it and they were all not my cup of tea. I think Glenn is the best, followed by Debra Byrne perhaps. Nancy is a great actress and singer, but all wrong for Norma Desmond.

 

"

Muscle did you see Ms Byrne do the show, she was a mess and not in a good way, her understudy Maria Mercedes on the other hand was outstanding and should have been cast in the first place. Her acting and singing was out of this world, pity it was never recordered 

I agree with what Lot666 says...and no, I have never been to Australia, never saw either live.

broadwayboy222 said: "Interesting to see the new Sunset display at Bloomingdale's is advertising that the show is nominated for two Tony awards including Best Revival.... Now unless I've truly missed the information, this is obviously false as the production was not Tony nominated at all..... Hope this gets fixed. 

"

I noticed the same thing this morning and wondered if they had planned/prepped the windows way back when thinking that it was sure to get that nomination.  Which it certainly deserved

Agreed. And Glenn would be among the furtherst away vocally. Still, I wonder how close (no pun intended) others come to her acting. 

qolbinau said: "Agreed. And Glenn would be among the furtherst away vocally. Still, I wonder how close (no pun intended) others come to her acting. 

"

honestly - Buckley is a vocal powerhouse and I loved seeing her in the role twice (as well as Karen Mason, who even though she was young for the role, hit those high notes with such ease it was a thrill to hear the score sound like that).  But it's an amazingly unique actress who can take an average voice and utilize it and the source material so masterfully that no you don't feel shortchanged but rather that you're witnessing something amazingly special and reminds you what makes Theatre - Theatre.

Had two friends who went to see Sunset Saturday night.  Had never seen the movie, knew nothing of the score or anything - simply went on my recommendation.  Mind you this was the Eve of her missing Sunday, so she had made the pre-show announcement appologizing in advance.  In any event, they came out raving about it, saying how they were simply blown away by the music, and her riveting performance.

Going back this weekend with another friend to see Sunset for the third time and am hoping at least once more before June 25th.  If there is an extension with a new Norma, I will be sure to be back...