Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread- Page 51

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 12:02pm

CT2NYC said: "If [Patti] did SUNSET right now, I think she would knock it out of the park."

I have to admit, I'd buy a ticket.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 12:14pm

Lot666 said: "CT2NYC said: "If [Patti] did SUNSET right now, I think she would knock it out of the park."

I have to admit, I'd buy a ticket.

 

I'd never seen her on stage, and, even with 38 years of hype, I was stunned. She was everything I'd hoped, and then some.

 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 12:52pm

Lot666 said: "chernjam said: "Andrew McBean dropped another exclusive... Patti LuPone at the Sydmonton Premiere of Sunset Boulevard singing "With One Look".  I know this has surfaced on you tube before, but this is the cleanest upload i've seen of it.  

I forgot this contained some different lyrics to "With One Look"

"With one look, I touch everyone

With one glance I eclipse the sun

Take a look and you will see

Why the world watches me..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jejUMxyUOIE"

The intro bit with the piano is a bit awkward, as are the different lyrics you noted above, but she sang it beautifully (better than her CD version, I think). Ms. Close still wins for acting the part, though.

"

Why the World Premiere Recording was/is so bad still remains a mystery to me.  Perhaps all the difficulties with the premiere (the set malfunctioning, having to push back the opening 2 weeks, etc) and then getting mixed-bad reviews (particularly from the US press) was so unsettling that they rushed the recording.  The American Premiere Recording I remember they had completed a day of recording and an Earthquake hit, destroying that, so they had to start all over a few months later.  It really seemed that year Sunset was a real difficulty for ALW and team.  It's no wonder that Close's performance (and glowing reviews) was intoxicating after all that drama.

Anyway - yes LuPone sings it powerfully... and you can see why they were blinded in that context to cast her.  But acting wise, Close and her are a million miles apart.  And on a huge stage in a full production, you could see that. 

That's not to say I wouldn't be on line purchasing tickets to see her if she were succeeding Close in the revival :)

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 1:18pm

chernjam said: "The American Premiere Recording I remember they had completed a day of recording and an Earthquake hit, destroying that, so they had to start all over a few months later."

I didn't know that. ALW really is prone to this sort of thing, isn't he? When he was composing Love Never Dies, his cat jumped on his electric piano and accidentally erased a considerable amount of the work he'd saved. Later, during the recording of the LND album, they completed act one with John Barrowman as Raoul and then had to rerecord the whole thing when Joseph Millson came in to replace Barrowman in the role.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 9:57pm

Lot666 said: "chernjam said: "The American Premiere Recording I remember they had completed a day of recording and an Earthquake hit, destroying that, so they had to start all over a few months later."

I didn't know that. ALW really is prone to this sort of thing, isn't he? When he was composing Love Never Dies, his cat jumped on his electric piano and accidentally erased a considerable amount of the work he'd saved. Later, during the recording of the LND album, they completed act one with John Barrowman as Raoul and then had to rerecord the whole thing when Joseph Millson came in to replace Barrowman in the role.

"

Yeah it's strange how often these things happened to ALW.  And how he just takes these types of hits (like re-recording Love Never Dies... I know it was Barrowman but I think he also made changes to the score again)  yet now he's not re-recording Sunset with these new orchestrations, and a stronger cast...  can't figure it out

[eman02]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 12:12am

I saw Sunset tonight. Glenn was outstanding. Vocally she had power, which I was impressed by. It was one of the great theatrical experiences of my life. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 1:13am

eman02 said: "I saw Sunset tonight. Glenn was outstanding. Vocally she had power, which I was impressed by. It was one of the great theatrical experiences of my life. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!

 

"

Might have to return for my 4th visit this weekend...  Going to miss this so much

[bfreak]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 7:47am

I was also at last night's performance (for my first time) and I have to say Glenn Close was PHENOMENAL. She brought down the house so many times, and yes vocally she seemed in great health and strength which surprised me also considering how much many people complain. The entire production was also very good, with Michael Xavier and Fred Johanson as incredible standouts. Amazing orchestra and everything about it. GO see this if you haven't already! Quite a few empty seats in the mezzanine.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 7:50pm

Thank you all SO much for this chat board & thread!! I saw Michael's performance last week at Stars in the Alley and it peaked my interest, so I entered the lottery and won yesterday. I was contemplating going since I had had a crazy work week and wasn't too willing to take a chance on possibly being in the back corner of the balcony. After reading through this, I realized it was something I should go to. Thanks to you guys, I got to the theater early and scored seat F1 in the orchestra. It was the most perfect, elevated, non-obstructed view. The full-orchestra, entire cast, and Glenn was transformative. It really felt like old Hollywood. The audience *loved* her. It was also the most well-behaved audience I've been around in a long time. No one got up, looked at their phones, ate, talked, or anything that I've been seeing a lot of lately. Everyone was engrossed, everyone was enchanted. The entire experience was magical!

[broadwayTX]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:29pm

Saw the show a couple weeks ago and loved it! I was surprised that the curtain that drops for intermission with Glenn's face on it was only there for roughly a minute before they turned off the blue lights and removed it. Is this normal? I've seen so many photos on instagram of the curtain, but wasn't able to get one myself since they removed it so quickly. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/9/17 at 9:38pm

broadwayTX said: "Saw the show a couple weeks ago and loved it! I was surprised that the curtain that drops for intermission with Glenn's face on it was only there for roughly a minute before they turned off the blue lights and removed it. Is this normal? I've seen so many photos on instagram of the curtain, but wasn't able to get one myself since they removed it so quickly. 

"

THANK YOU - I've seen Sunset 3 times and wanted to get a shot myself and thought the exact same thing, They simply remove it so quick you can't (and even more surprising, it's not in the souvenir brochure) - not sure why... but it is a spectacular way to end Act I

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 10:20am

chernjam said: "broadwayTX said: "Saw the show a couple weeks ago and loved it! I was surprised that the curtain that drops for intermission with Glenn's face on it was only there for roughly a minute before they turned off the blue lights and removed it. Is this normal? I've seen so many photos on instagram of the curtain, but wasn't able to get one myself since they removed it so quickly. 

THANK YOU - I've seen Sunset 3 times and wanted to get a shot myself and thought the exact same thing, They simply remove it so quick you can't (and even more surprising, it's not in the souvenir brochure) - not sure why... but it is a spectacular way to end Act I"

You definitely have to act fast. I have what I believe to be a pretty good shot of this curtain, taken with my iPhone from the center orchestra aisle at row E, with no audience heads at the bottom of the image. If anybody wants a copy, let me know.

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 5:02pm

I'm looking to buy tickets and were wondering how the view was from about row F orchestra left. Thanks!

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 8:47pm

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "I'm looking to buy tickets and were wondering how the view was from about row F orchestra left. Thanks!

 

"

honestly, you can't go wrong in the Orchestra.  The only complaint I've heard was that people sitting in the front row missed some of the projections...

[broadwayTX]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 9:07pm

Does anyone have photos of the souvenir program? Trying to find what kind of content is inside before purchasing, but am coming up short online - even checked eBay to no avail! 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 10:14pm

I do have pictures of them - but not sure I can get them on here... will try 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 10:24pm

Here's my attempt:

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 10:29pm

more: 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/10/17 at 10:30pm

...they did a beautiful job with the souvenir brochure... it's a shame they didn't go for a recording as well...  But for Sunset fans, you definitely should splurge to get this

[Dave28282]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 8:54am

I am baffled about how shockingly inadequate Glenn Close is in the role. I knew she could not sing well, but I noticed it really gets in the way of her (cartoon-esque) acting. This results in a performance of a woman strutting up and down the stage, speaking and moaning notes, of which I don't believe any word she sings or acts.

Why is this woman singing? Is this a showcase of a woman struggling with singing and desperately trying to act through that? How on earth will anything be believable if every syllable is unnatural and unbelievable. 

This is a disgrace to the arftorm. This artform, this show, should be like an oil painting. It is essential that every nuance in every word, note and syllable is painted with finesse. Especially with this role. In the line "all you need to know", the word "all" on it's own, should be so gentle, with a hopeful glow, it could break your heart. Now that is singing and acting through song. What Glenn does is the opposite, she tries to act in spite of it. She is not able to connect the sung notes with acting and does not understand or believe the syllables she sings, nor does she understand that notes, syllables, words and lines have a beginning, middle and end, and actually have a reason, so why should we? She does not master the language of this artform.

Now this, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done. Prepare yourself for true acting through song, where some notes convey 3 different emotions in a row. Painting with finesse. That is acting. Through song. You will notice the acting becoming more natural and filmic because of this, instead of the cartoon-esque Glenn Close acting in spite of song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJsb8HNsjp8

 

 

Updated On: 6/11/17 at 08:54 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 9:00am

MarilynMonroeSmash said: "I'm looking to buy tickets and were wondering how the view was from about row F orchestra left. Thanks!"

Row F is great in terms of distance from the stage (personally, I wouldn't go any closer then row E), but be aware that the stage at The Palace is very wide - how far left is "left"?

Updated On: 6/11/17 at 09:00 AM

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 9:58am

Dave28282 said: "I am baffled about how shockingly inadequate Glenn Close is in the role. I knew she could not sing well, but I noticed it really gets in the way of her (cartoon-esque) acting. This results in a performance of a woman strutting up and down the stage, speaking and moaning notes, of which I don't believe any word she sings or acts.

Why is this woman singing? Is this a showcase of a woman struggling with singing and desperately trying to act through that? How on earth will anything be believable if every syllable is unnatural and unbelievable. 

This is a disgrace to the arftorm. This artform, this show, should be like an oil painting. It is essential that every nuance in every word, note and syllable is painted with finesse. Especially with this role. In the line "all you need to know", the word "all" on it's own, should be so gentle, with a hopeful glow, it could break your heart. Now that is singing and acting through song. What Glenn does is the opposite, she tries to act in spite of it. She does not understand believe the syllables she sings, words and notes with a beginning, middle and end why should we? She does not master the language of this artform.

Now this, ladies and gentleman, is how it's done. Prepare yourself for true acting through song, where some notes convey 3 different emotions in a row. Painting with finesse. That is acting. Through song. You will notice the acting becoming more natural and filmic because of this, instead of the cartoon-esque Glenn Close acting in spite of song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJsb8HNsjp8

 

 

 

"

I was reading this post without reading who the poster was and I was positive it was After Eight. 

 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 11:46am

Hey look - everyone has their favorite Norma - and I've always said that the fact that they didn't record the Australian cast with Byrne and Hugh Jackman is another major misstep... But to bash Close's performance?  Definitely going out on an frozen tundra by yourself on that one

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 12:00pm

Oh yeah, Glenn should learn how to act! Hahahhha, best joke of the year.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 12:10pm

Dave28282 said: "I am baffled about how shockingly inadequate Glenn Close is in the role. I knew she could not sing well, but I noticed it really gets in the way of her (cartoon-esque) acting. This results in a performance of a woman strutting up and down the stage, speaking and moaning notes, of which I don't believe any word she sings or acts.

Why is this woman singing? Is this a showcase of a woman struggling with singing and desperately trying to act through that? How on earth will anything be believable if every syllable is unnatural and unbelievable. 

This is a disgrace to the arftorm. This artform, this show, should be like an oil painting. It is essential that every nuance in every word, note and syllable is painted with finesse. Especially with this role. In the line "all you need to know", the word "all" on it's own, should be so gentle, with a hopeful glow, it could break your heart. Now that is singing and acting through song. What Glenn does is the opposite, she tries to act in spite of it. She does not understand believe the syllables she sings, words and notes with a beginning, middle and end why should we? She does not master the language of this artform.
 

Wow, I had the complete opposite experience. I completely believed her and thought her acting was superb. I made a comment to a friend that she really was an actor who could sing, rather than a singer who could act. Was her singing the best I've ever heard- no. But I 110% bought it and was very moved by her performance. Perhaps it helped I had no preconceived notions going into it.