theatreguy12 said: "Would have loved to see this revisit to Sunset Boulevard. Seeing the original, pre-Broadway, in Los Angeles I have to say that I was captivated by Close. Mesmerizing. I know there are those who prefer the other Normas. There are those who prefer different Joes. There are even those who aren't real big on the music, feeling that it isn't ALW's best.
For me though, I felt that the cast was truly amazing. Close, Campbell, Kuhn, and Hearn were outstanding. And I thought the music was perfect for the time period and the Hollywood theme. I'll never forget sitting in the front row, center mezzanine, when Close belted "I've come home at last...." looking toward the mezzanine/balcony. Sent chills.
As much as I liked Campbell in the role, as well, this Xavier dude is really quite nice to look at. Saw a clip of him singing "Sunset Boulevard" in that sunga-style swimsuit. Then puts on the towel and drops the suit. I don't remember Campbell doing that.
Okay, sorry. I don't usually comment on the looks of actors rather than focusing on the material and performances, but he looked really good in that scene.
Looked like a great revisit to a great show though from the clips I've seen. Close is brilliant.
"
Theatreguy12 - as someone who would categorize myself a Sunset mega-fan, I'm sorry you missed this revival.
When it was first announced Close was doing this in London, I kind of dismissed the hype as being simply Close reprising her legendary performance for the first time in the UK... when rumors of this coming to NY started, I was kind of hesitant, even disappointed it was happening (will have to re-read the 58 pages of this thread for me to see how hesitant/disappointed) Only because I had seen the original with Close on Broadway twice - as well as each successive Norma twice (and Petula Clark on tour twice) and just thought vocally Close would disappoint... She wasn't a roof raiser 24 years ago, how could she have improved? And why not find another great actress who could sing for this limited run? But of course being a mega-fan, I was going to at least go and see for myself... So I purchased tickets for the third preview - convinced that Close would probably not make it through the entire run (since she had gotten sick and missed three performances in London for a 5 week run)
I happily eat my words of hesitation and admit how wrong those concerns were. She not only exceeded my low expectations, by intermission of the first act in that preview I was at, when I bumped into Lonnie Price the director, I said "In all sincerity this is even better than the original" - Glenn brought a vulnerability to the role that was heart-wrenching.
Unlike the original production/performance, where she descended this majestic, breathtaking stair case, with a regal beauty of a woman who you couldn't quite tell if she was crazy, arrogant, angry --- in this production, coming down those simple stairs - you saw a woman who was hurt, disillusioned, unsure what she did, how she ended up shut out of the only world that ever made her feel truly alive - Paramount studios. From that point on, Close's Norma took you on an emotional journey that was riveting. That was also enabled by a stellar cast. Xavier's Joe had a difficult tight rope to walk - he has to be desperate, manipulative but also empathetic for this to work. And unlike Campbell, you got to see how the desperation caused the manipulation very quickly... how he sees the chance to take advantage of Norma, but also feels somewhat badly about doing it and then completely clueless by New Years.
I'm still holding out hope that this production will reunite at least one more time in Australia (that's the last rumor that's been circulating... which some in the Australian press have at least validated - that there's discussions going on) - and perhaps there will be a professionally filmed version of this to preserve a legendary production of one of ALW's best scores.
, and that curtain call! Definitely a night at the theatre I will always remember!
- but Im sure that they figured that could be quite a risk to try to find another "Norma" - the expense of rehearsing, marketing, etc. - when the summer months have not really been kind to most shows. Probably better to stick with the original plan of closing on June 25th - rather than risk it with a steep BO decline. As it was, it seems they didn't recoup their initial costs... I believe they came close to it, but didn't quite make a full recoupment
