Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread- Page 52

[Dave28282]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 3:18pm

Well, I  find her acting style to be lacking a realistic quality and it is too cartoon-esque for me. Almost like the acting style people do for little kids.

But I guess it's a matter of debate if you like/buy this style.

But aside from that, the lack of singing quality really harms the acting. This artform is acting through song. Not acting in spite of song.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 11:22pm

Glenn Close - pure class act... Takes Michael Xavier to the Tonys with her; graceful in presenting the Tony to the (IMO) obnoxious Bette Midler. 

Infuriating that the Tonys Snubbed Sunset.  And well, for that, they had lackluster, forgettable numbers in the show - wheras they could've had Glenn ripping the roof off singing As If We Never Said Goodbye - which would've shamed Middler to actually perform tonight.

[End Rant]

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 12:47am

Not the same with 39 fewer instruments... But if you want to hear Nancy Anderson as Norma (and not sure who this Joe is) - here you are:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCDaA0upG-o

[carnzee]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 1:13am

Dave28282 said: "Well, I  find her acting style to be lacking a realistic quality and it is too cartoon-esque for me. Almost like the acting style people do for little kids.

But I guess it's a matter of debate if you like/buy this style.

Glenn has said her performance was influenced by watching silent film actresses. She does not intend for her performance to be 'realistic. ' Glenn is of course brilliantly capable of realistic cinematic acting, just watch Damages or her many films. The vast majority of critics and audiences are impressed by her work in Sunset, but some people will only accept cinematic performances, and just won't tolerate a stylized performance of any kind. 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 5:18pm

Just saw the show today for the 4th, and most likely last time. I'm going to miss this production.

Glenn was in terrific voice. She hit all the money notes and got a well-deserved standing ovation after  "As If We Never Said Good-bye."  Her performance was exactly the way you expect Norma to be portrayed. Guarded and wounded to begin, in love and hopeful in the middle, and broken at the end. 

Michael Xavier is a wonderful and talented man, but his performance as Joe frustrates me. He does things that I love, yet also goes so big and comedic other times where it doesn't work for me. However, from the act 2 "Boy Meets Girl (Reprise)" to the end, he always, always nails it. I care about his Joe in those moments more than I did William Holden's. 

Great matinee audience today. Engaged and quiet, save 1 cell ring. A number of people gasped when Norma slapped Joe and when she shot him. I wonder if they were that engaged or there were that many people who didn't know the story. Either way, Glenn came back for an encore, encore bow. No one wanted the show to end. 

I wanted to give a shout out to Katie Ladner as Mary, the struggling actress. I love what she does with the beats she's been given. Especially at the end of the Schwab's scene  

I'm not ready to say good-bye to this production. 

ETA - I feel bad for the people house left who have to look through the wires holding the dummy during the end of the show. That was really poor planning. I don't see why they couldn't just raise and lower it from the pit. Besides the fact, as mentioned here, that the dummy hangs near the ceiling all show. Makes me glad I always sat house right in the orchestra. 

Updated On: 6/14/17 at 05:18 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 5:27pm

I saw this last week. I didn't hate it, but I was underwhelmed and kept thinking about the excellent minimalist production I saw in London 2009 with Kathryn Evans.

The mid-song applause was entertaining.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 5:40pm

10086Sundays said: "Just saw the show today for the 4th, and most likely last time. I'm going to miss this production.

I'm not ready to say good-bye to this production. 

"

Was trying to get in today for my 4th visit as well.  Happily tonight is pretty much sold out.  Sadly, my only last shot will be Friday (work tomorrow and then out of town from Sat till after it closes... so here's hoping I can make Friday work)

I have to agree- really not ready to see this end either.   It's one of few theatrical pieces that genuinely moves me (and one of the first to ever do so) Didn't realize how much I missed it till it came back in February and I saw it for the first time in almost 20 years....

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 8:01pm

10086Sundays said: "She hit all the money notes "

 

Are you sure it was Glenn? 

Hitting the notes and selling them are two very different things.

 

Updated On: 6/14/17 at 08:01 PM

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 9:17pm

So just saw this announcement about another production of Sunset this winter...

 

OK it's not Glenn going to LA but... it sounds exciting:  https://www.broadwayworld.com/spain/article/Paloma-San-Basilio-protagonizar-SUNSET-BOULEVARD-en-Tenerife-20170613 

 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 11:59pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "10086Sundays said: "She hit all the money notes "

 

Are you sure it was Glenn? 

Hitting the notes and selling them are two very different things."

I've been there when she hasn't been able to get there for the end notes and this wasn't one of those times. Sounded the best out of all my viewings. I'm only comparing her to herself. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:30am

Bought my tickets for the final performance today. The most I've spent on this show but I know it will be worth the price. Can't wait to see everything one last time, but up close!

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:45am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Bought my tickets for the final performance today. The most I've spent on this show but I know it will be worth the price. Can't wait to see everything one last time, but up close!

"

Giants - I hear you... so far I've spent almost $1,000 and if I do make it in on Friday, that will be another $180...  but I haven't regretted it at all.  Absolutely love this show and this production

[mc1227]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:51am

Saw this tonight and I can't shake the goosebumps.  Glenn was just magnificent!  The orchestra just carried me away with that glorious music.  Three curtain calls for Glenn and she brought Michael Xavier out with her the last time.  The crowd was frenzied, probably more than when I saw Hamilton last year.  I won't see Bette until October but I find it hard to imagine that she could top Glenn's performance.  I wish I had seen this production earlier in the run but glad I got the chance tonight.  

[SteveL2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 7:43am

So having loved it in London, loved it on Broadway, it's been interesting reading everyone else's take on what for me was theatre magic. Hoping someone will post the final curtain call on YouTube. Last year at the London Coliseum, we were lucky enough to be there, living in London I can only hope I can share in the magic one last time. Very jealous for those lucky enough to be going.

 

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:22am

chernjam said: "So just saw this announcement about another production of Sunset this winter... 

OK it's not Glenn going to LA but... it sounds exciting:  https://www.broadwayworld.com/spain/article/Paloma-San-Basilio-protagonizar-SUNSET-BOULEVARD-en-Tenerife-20170613 "

For those of us who don't speak Spanish, can you give us the gist of the article?

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:31am

10086Sundays said: "Michael Xavier is a wonderful and talented man, but his performance as Joe frustrates me. He does things that I love, yet also goes so big and comedic other times where it doesn't work for me."

Yeah, I had reservations about him when I first saw a clip of him singing the title song, and then when I saw the show I thought he played a bit too much of it for comedy. I particularly don't care for his first scene alone with Max, just before "The Greatest Star of All", when he says "She's quite a character, that Norma Desmond" and then he does that "Woooo" thing and flutters his fingers, suggesting something weird and creepy. It's just a little too mocking for me.

It's not that he's bad; I just wish I could give him a few notes. 

10086Sundays said: "I wanted to give a shout out to Katie Ladner as Mary, the struggling actress. I love what she does with the beats she's been given. Especially at the end of the Schwab's scene"

Every time I've seen it, I've thought her to be the clear highlight of the ensemble.

10086Sundays said: "I'm not ready to say good-bye to this production."

Me either, and although I feel fortunate to have seen it five times, I'm still bummed that I won't be able to get back up there for the final performance.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:54am

There's been plenty of tickets for this weekend's matinees on TDF.  $47.00 a seat.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 9:06am

Well, I  find her acting style to be lacking a realistic quality and it is too cartoon-esque for me. Almost like the acting style people do for little kids.

But I guess it's a matter of debate if you like/buy this style.

But aside from that, the lack of singing quality really harms the acting. This artform is acting through song. Not acting in spite of song.

I agree.  I will disclose that I am a Patti fan and adored her in London in SB.  But I went to see this revival because of the people saying how wonderful her acting was (I know what her singing is).  I was very underwhelmed.   I thought her acting was mediocre  and her singing was cringe worthy especially the note after With One Look.  The rest of the cast is well up to the task but sadly the lead was not.  I'm not surprised it is not extending.  Tickets have been on TDF for awhile now and when I saw it, it was not a full house.  That orchestra must cost a lot of money to have on that stage at union wages.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 9:28am

Buddystar - I've wondered about the financials for some time.  I have to think that the operating costs couldn't be more than 750K per week - and with that, it's been well above that for the entire run, including these last two weeks (remember it is on a 7 performance schedule)   If that's the case, by my estimate, it's made about 7 million so far... so here's hoping it will make it's capitalization back.

 

Lot - I was taken back by Xavier's "mocking" the first time, but it seemed a perfect set up for Max's being so vulnerable in "The Greatest Star of All" - you see his anger, his defiance, his defensiveness for Norma.  In fact, while I loved George Hearn - Fred Johanson made that scene his own for me with that (and with the "ghost Norma" - it just made the scene so much more interesting rather than the "Nunn" sunset where it seemed he was just making a speech)

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 9:42am

chernjam said: "Buddystar - I've wondered about the financials for some time.  I have to think that the operating costs couldn't be more than 750K per week - and with that, it's been well above that for the entire run, including these last two weeks (remember it is on a 7 performance schedule)   If that's the case, by my estimate, it's made about 7 million so far... so here's hoping it will make it's capitalization back.

 

IDK about that.  Musicians are pretty expensive which is why you don't see large orchestras anymore on Bway.  I'm suspecting that the musicians are the biggest line item in the expense for that show. And if the show happens to go over they get overtime.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 10:26pm

BuddyStarr said: "chernjam said: "Buddystar - I've wondered about the financials for some time.  I have to think that the operating costs couldn't be more than 750K per week - and with that, it's been well above that for the entire run, including these last two weeks (remember it is on a 7 performance schedule)   If that's the case, by my estimate, it's made about 7 million so far... so here's hoping it will make it's capitalization back.

 

IDK about that.  Musicians are pretty expensive which is why you don't see large orchestras anymore on Bway.  I'm suspecting that the musicians are the biggest line item in the expense for that show. And if the show happens to go over they get overtime.

"

I thought I had read that musicians get about 1-1500 per week for a Broadway show (remember 7 shows not - so that would account for 40-60,000 per week

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/17/17 at 12:16am

Just returned from my fourth and final visit to this revival of Sunset Blvd.

Wow.

Audience was unhinged tonight. Xavier got applause when he first entered the stage, Close got a minor ovation after singing Surrender... and then a pretty full standing ovation stopping the show for a few minutes after As If We Never Said Goodbye. She was in perfect voice... in fact of the 4 times I saw her, tonight she sounded the best.

As some people mentioned, they are still playing with their portrayals of the roles which I really appreciate. When Close first appears as Norma, her hair was more dishevelled... she looked more like a poor, older lady - and that fragility was perfect for her opening sequence. Yet when she got to With One Look, it was almost like she immediately became younger. It was amazing to watch (fortunately from row F in the orchestra, got to see and appreciate things even better). The rest of the cast were doing the same as well - much more comfortable and making the roles their own. It's been a true joy to witness this over the last 4 months.

If you've not seen it yet - or even if you have - you've got just 10 chances left. Sorry I will be out of town for her last performance, but am so glad I bit the bullet, plunked another $169 down to see it tonight saying to myself "when will this ever get revived like this again?"
I'm going to miss this a great, great deal.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/17/17 at 8:58am

chernjam said: "...from row F in the orchestra, got to see and appreciate things even better"

In terms of seating, you hit the sweet spot. My most recent $99-at-the-box-office ticket was also in row F, and that was my favorite vantage point of all the times I've seen it.

[WaffleOnWheels]

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

I'm having last minute regrets about not seeing this.

It was between Sunset and War Paint, and I chose War Paint, because I had fallen in love with the cast album the week prior.

Don't get me wrong, War Paint was great, but this, this just sounds like a once in a life time experience that I'm going to regret missing for the rest of my life. 

 

 

 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/17/17 at 11:05am

WaffleOnWheels said: "I'm having last minute regrets about not seeing this.

It was between Sunset and War Paint, and I chose War Paint, because I had fallen in love with the cast album the week prior.

Don't get me wrong, War Paint was great, but this, this just sounds like a once in a life time experience that I'm going to regret missing for the rest of my life. 
"

Obviously biased here - having seen this production 4 times - but if you have another shot in the next week and a half, I'd take it.  Glenn Close is giving one legendary performance, and I doubt any  other production out there would take the financial hit of having an orchestra of 40 on stage like this one.  It's really not to be missed.

Lot- you aren't kidding about these seats.  I only got them because they reduced the price from $299 to $169 - but wow... what amazing seats.