Sunset Boulevard cast — Page 2

Bettyboy72 said: "I'm imaging this saves $$$ cutting rehearsal time and costs. Plus, Glenn probably feels safe with these principals. It's a short run and these folks can work together drama free without having to rebuild emotional trust. "



^This...All of this...

Why isn't Sunset Blvd just a two-character show? Everything I've heard says that most of the characters are really unimportant...

They're really confident that Close is all they need to succeed in an enormous theater. As if that turn and this show are truly legendary and universally beloved theatrical landmarks. This is a show with some fanbase that lost a lot of money the first time around, and it is a relic from a period of under-written excess on the stage.

No the USA is not a race, but the Broadway actors are all a part of Actor's Equity which is supposed to protect their members jobs. There was a time when only 2 actors from England could perform on Broadway as long as 2 American Actors were performing in England. That seems not to be the case. If you look at next season Miss Saigon is bringing in 4 British Actors, Sunset another 4, and it goes on and on. Usually permission is only granted if the performer is considered an "International Star". This is not the case here.

indytallguy said: "Wait. USA is a race now?"

No, but one might refer to the American race v. the British race. Not every country defines race biologically (and even biologists now say it is meaningless to do so).

The word can refer to an ethnic or nationalist group. In fact, go back a few years and you will commonly find European writers refering to the French race and the German race, etc. When Chicanos refer to "La Raza", they mean Mexican-Americans and their communities (which will include biological blacks, whites and Native Americans.)

qolbinau made a perfectly reasonable point, in my view. But if Close demanded the same three principals, AEA may have figured "Well, the chorus of 20 will be 20 more American jobs on Broadway."

I'm frankly surprised at the all British supporting cast here as well. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is also coming over with its all British cast. Ditto the leads for the Off Broadway SWEENEY. I do wonder if there will be any vocal grievances from the American actors union this season. I wouldn't blame them.

As much as I would love to see American actors, in the role, allow me to play devil's advocate, as well as include some fact checking. The all British cast for The Play... is a strictly limited engagement, and for a very brief time. The same goes with Sunset's THREE actors (Let's not forget the star is an American). Sweeney has already announced that American actors will replace their British counterparts and I'd imagine the same will go for the TWO foreign actors in Saigon if, and likely when, they extend. In the meantime, I'm sure Equity members will still have performance opportunities here, as well as the UK, which has had its fair share of American actorsin roles there as well.

I think you can be fairly confident Queen Alice that American Equity are continually fighting for the interests of their members; and that any concessions given to UK Equity for Broadway roles are matched in number (and stature) for peformances in the West End. Famously the case with Sarah Brightman/Michael Crawford in 1988 (allegedly the reason Aspects of Love opened in the same year in London with 2 American principles) but less obvious direct exchanges of talent are continually evident.

London has seen complete US casts of: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Hair, Show Boat, August Osage County, This is Our Youth amongst others as well as American leads and recasts in Book of Mormon, Caroline or Change, MF with the Hat.. Admittedly mostly movie/tv stars but not always. I'm sure it works out in the wash. Or a very complicated spreadsheet..

Tbh I was in New Zealand working on a movie for most of this last year so apologies that it wasn't more upto date. I had a few more recent examples: Jesse Eisenberg, Matthew Perry and Zach Braff (fair enough as it was in their own plays), Donna McKechnie (The Wild Party), Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon and Les Mis), Jon Jon Briones (Miss Saigon), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin), Christopher Fitzgerald (Barnum Chichester - bit more random), Kristen Beth Williams (Top Hat), Heather Headley in The Bodyguard, the principles of The Scottsboro Boys (Young Vic and West End). Mormon's casting of the 2 leads with Americans has been on going since it's premiere.

Honestly it is a fairly constant presence - and almost always a welcome one.

Updated On: 11/15/16 at 05:50 PM

" That probably accounts for the spotty southern accents one hears from time to time (looking at you, Morgan)."

I see your Walking Dead, and I raise you Kinky Boots and The Secret Garden.

And so long as I live I'll never understand Hugh Laurie's accent in House.

QueenAlice said: "The examples you site though UKpuppetboy are mostly not recent at all."

Recently: Andy Karl in Groundhog Day.

Currently: Michael C. Hall in Lazarus. Amber Riley in Dreamgirls.

Upcoming: Nathan Lane in Angels in America. Cherry Jones in The Glass Menagerie.

Bettyboy72 said: "Enough with the Glenn bashing and the singing commentary. From day one Glenn has addressed her singing deficits (she looked at the songs as monologues and then sung them.) She freely admits she doesn't hit all the notes, but brings the emotions. As with many of the best stage actors, she doesn't have the best singing voice but brings so much more.

To see an impeccable actress revisit a Tony winning role 20 years later is a rare gift. Especially an actress as fine as Close. If it makes you ill or disinterested, Jesus, then don't go and stop commenting. For the love of God, go comment on something you're interested in."



I won't see it with British actors taking over American roles. Name me one show with characters that are British that would be done in London with an American Cast.

And Betty, I'll comment on what I want to.

South Fl Marc said: "Name me one time an American actor was hired to do a British role in London."

Bradley Cooper as John Merrick in The Elephant Man.