Sunset Boulevard Revival Broadway Thread — Page 9

Just got my ticket for Thursday night's performance. Excited!

I had no issues with ticketmaster...but sometimes it's under maintenance.

Oh yes, I noticed.

I think we should use this thread for the whole run, since it's aptly titled and previews only run for a week.

Anyone know if there's rush?

Well they've managed to sell a decent amount of tickets for the first preview. If they can maintain that momentum throughout the entire run I doubt there would be any chance of closing early.

Updated On: 2/4/17 at 05:51 PM

so thats about 1500 seats sold for tonight so about 87% sold - doesn't seem bad to me

I think the show was close to sold out, since they didn't have much available when I went to the box office at 7.50pm. But it wasn't completely sold out. It wasn't on TKTS though.

I had not really planned to see this show, but the opportunity came up.



This was a strange night for me. I consider Sunset Boulevard to be one of the greatest American films of all time, and I consider the musical to be a flat-footed adaptation that misses all the irony and humor and literacy and meaning of the source. (In typical Webber fashion.) I haven't changed my mind, but this production has some notable highlights.

Close is playing a far more sympathetic Norma than is heard on her cast album, and it worked for me to a surprising degree. She is not in very good voice, (her "With One Look" was a particularly shaky start) but the audience went insane for her anyway, at most every opportunity. It was her acting that got me.

The set was as I assume it was in London, and many of the people around me were vocally disappointed. Lonny Price does his usual thing, applying an undergrad-level concept onto a bare-bones staging. I will say the staircases looked quite striking in some moments, and it was not devoid of legitimate stage pictures. The dangling wax museum Joe throughout the show (suspended as though viewing the action) is a bit silly. Price makes the story more through Joe's eyes than ever, which is at odds with his more successful affectation of a Follies-esque younger Norma shadowing Close in poignant moments.

I usually wouldn't single out a performer in a negative light, but the Joe Gillis is preposterously bad. Borderline unprofessional. I would be personally offended if I were an equity member that he was allowed over. EVERYTHING is indicated to the cheap seats with him, and nothing is sincerely motivated. "Sunset Boulevard" is a cringey title song at the best of times, and he really sent it to not-quite-camp hell. If he isn't literally pointing at what he wants you to react to (his own body included), he is doing that modern vocal whine that is usually reserved for auditioning at a musical theater college program. Not for half a second did I think he was a writer.

The Betty and Max are pretty good, but not outstanding to a degree that I wouldn't want to see New York talent with some recognition tackle those roles. Mr. Johanson as Max fares the best of the cast outside of Close, but he is usually directed to deliver his major acting moments downstage-center to the audience. It's unfortunate. He never got a chance to really dig into a scene.

The big orchestra is a real treat. Combined with Close's surprisingly new and nuanced performance, they make a worthwhile night. It's still a questionable adaptation with some of the worst lyrics to play on Broadway in recent decades, and this is basically a concert performance of that show, but I got something out of it.

Generally speaking, I think you know if this is for you or not.

Updated On: 2/3/17 at 12:07 AM

Sunset is my favorite film of all time and the show is one of my three favorite musicals. I went into tonight excited with cautious optimism.

Overall, if you are a fan of the show, you will be happy with this production. The orchestra is impressive and right from the start of the overture, you feel like you are witnessing something special.

Tonight reminded me of the power of the star performance. Glenn Close is amazing. She gives a totally different performance from the original production. This Norma is more toned down, more sympathetic and more of a person. While the knocks on Close's singing have always been there, the simple truth is that no one acts the role better. I've seen pretty much everyone play Norma Desmond and believe Close owns the role. She started very shaky after first appearing and singing "Surrender" but seemed to get more confident as the show went on. "With One Look" was also a little rocky. The audience didn't care and ate it up. "As If We Never Said Goodbye" brought down the house and Glenn hits a nice high note at the end. She received a legitimate standing ovation after the song and she even appeared a bit choked up by the audience response. The ending of the show also seemed to pack more punch. This take on Norma makes you feel for her in a manner the original production did not.


Thought Siohban Dillon does a commendable job with the Betty Schaffer role. Same was true for Fred Jonahson playing Max.

Michael Xavier has some real good moments. Thought he was at his best during "Too Much in Love to Care." The chemistry seemed real and the tone was right. I thought he was much more realistic, more human than the previous version of Joe Gillis played by Alan Campbell. That said, Campbell sang the hell out of the title song and Xavier's voice can't do the same.

The staging is rather effective.

There was a tech issue during "The Lady's Paying" as Glenn's mic went out at one point, along with the main clothing salesman.

My main dislike of the show was the younger Norma who shows up at times. While understanding the reasons and the thought behind it, it simply didn't work.

The costumes were beautiful. While this will sound petty, I miss the turban. She dons one for "The Lady's Paying." The red hair did grow on me. When she goes back to Paramount, it appears that she is wearing the same outfit from the original. It felt nice to see the character the way so many of us remember her.

I was sitting in the orchestra, five rows from the stage and it sounded like the audience was loving the show. The orchestra looked full. There was also someone dressed as Norma Desmond. Who says theater cosplay doesn't exist?

Running time was 2 hours and 30 minutes.

For those interested in merch, there were a few t-shirts and a line a Norma Desmond jewelry which I found interesting. For those interested in the stage door, Glenn came out 30 minutes after the show ended and could not have been nicer. The stage door was a bit of a zoo. If you are planning to go, get there early.


If you like Sunset, you'll be happy.

If you've never seen it, go see Close and enjoy the performance.

Updated On: 2/4/17 at 12:31 AM

Thanks everyone for the first preview reviews... Will be there on Saturday at the matinee so I'll be sure to chime in when I get back in that night. Really looking forward to it - as Sunset is tied with Aspects of Love as my favorite all time musicals I've been a bit worried about Close as Norma - but am going with an open mind

100086 - did you notice any changes to the score?