The Barbra as Norma?
The Barbra as Norma?
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#0The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 3:58pm
I would be lying if I said that I didn't think Glenn Close was stunning or one of the best performers of the day with a simply incredible and glorious voice for the SUNSET BLVD score, but...
sitting here listening to Barbra's big NY concert, I can't help but wonder if she would be able to handle it. I'm not a fan of Barbra. Never was. Adored her in MEET THE PARENTS and A STAR IS BORN, but besides that, never had a love for her. Being at college, I get random spurts of homesickness and some things remind me of home - my mother, especially - Barbra being one of them. So I decided to listen to the concert. Hearing it, I can't help but think she'd be a stunning Norma.
Anyone agree?
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#1re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 3:59pm
Won't. Ever. Happen.
Babs said she wanted complete creative control and ALW rightfully told her absolutely not.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
Updated On: 2/27/05 at 03:59 PM
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#2re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:04pm
Well, I don't think it would wind up happening. I'm just saying - can't you see it?
The arrogance. The "my shi* doesn't stink" attitude. The voice. Something tells me it would be breathtakingly perfect.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Updated On: 2/27/05 at 04:04 PM
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#3re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:08pmPersonally, she's the only one I would want to see in the role. But since I have a better chance of crapping out a million dollar bill today than seeing her in the film, I'll be fine with Glenn. I didn't seem to mind her nearly as much as other here did.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#4re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:10pmI don't know why so many are anti-Glenn. I think she's stunning. And I'm looking forward to having her performance forever at my access. But I couldn't help but think hey, Babs would work.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#5re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:14pm
No, honey. She wouldn't just "work". She would become the Norma Desmond that would be remembered from now until the end of time. It would be the role of her lifetime but sadly she won't let someone direct her in this like she did with FOCKERS.
And that's a damn shame.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#6re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:16pmThe role of her lifetime? You really think it would top Fanny Brice? It's so hard. People who don't know theater think of Babs and go, Oh yeah. FUNNY GIRL. I, personally, would rather see Glenn. Only because I've always had a real love for her. But I have to agree with you about how stunning Babs would be as Norma. But I don't think it would top her Fanny Brice.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#7re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:19pm
And I do.
To me, Deborah Gibson is the only real Fanny Brice. 
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#8re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:20pm
I think I'm going to be murdered for this, so I should probably duck (especially since I'm enjoying conversation with you and don't want to fudge it up) -
but Deborah Gibson's voice makes me want to hang myself. Or shoot myself. Or suffocate myself. Or just plain old die.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
#9re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:28pm
am I the only person who found Glenn Close vocally dreadful and painful in Sunset -- she CAN NOT SING THIS PART AS WRITTEN OR AS RE-WRITTEN...I am sorry but there is something inheriently wrong to re-write an entire score for the American and broadway premiers.
No questions, Glenn Close is a great actress -- one of our best, but Norma/Sunset were too far a vocal stretch for her and it shows in the recording -- listen to her as compared to some of the other Norma's -- mainly LuPone, Buckley and Paige....those are Norma's with vocal chops.
I agree with Matt -- Babs will never do it...
Personally I would love to see LuPOne vindicated and offered the film -- never happen, but it would make me happy.
"Sir K, the Viscount of Uppity-shire...." -- kissmycookie
Updated On: 2/27/05 at 04:28 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:39pm
Barbra as Norma Desmond? Oh but she is FAR too young to play Norma! Norma must be at least 50!
Pity that so much talent comes with so much unrestrained ego. Good lord, this woman can't go on a talk show without rearranging the set and lighting! I was stunned that she agreed to Fockers-- I really didn't think she'd ever perform in anyone else's production, ever.....
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#11re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:41pm
And the funny thing with that Joe, is that everyone on the FOCKERS set has said what a pleasant enviroment it was with her there.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
#12re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:41pm
I dont know how anyone can say that Close butchered the score. She sounds fantastic on the recording, and her performance in SUNSET was one of the most brilliantly solid things I have ever seen. Next to Barbra, she's the only one I want to see do it.
Joe: ARe you joking about the age?
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
Mattio98
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
#14re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:47pmGlenn as Norma on that CD is just utterly spectacular. When I listen to it I can SEE her performance. It's so much fun listening to that CD because of her. I think she sings the role just fine, but obviously she's at her best in the "psycho sections". no one can do that like she can!
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#15re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:47pmFrom what I heard, both Hugh & Anthony Hopkins are already committed to the film.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
Mattio98
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
EaboveMiddleC
Chorus Member Joined: 1/5/05
#17re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:08pm
I love Glenn, but i still think the best Norma will always be Betty Buckley. That said, i really wish the would let Meryl Streep play Norma in the movie. I think she would be Breathtaking.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#18re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:26pm
Meryl Streep is far too beautiful.
Barbra Streisand is definately NOT too young.
Betty Buckley's voice makes me shiver. In a bad way. It is *so* dreadful these days.
Babs won't do it, but she'd be marvelous.
Glenn Close's performance is treasured by me. She was STUNNING.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#19re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:29pmAlso keep in mind that if by some small chance Glenn Close doesn't do the film, it's not completely unlikely someone like Buckley would do it. ALW didn't go for "Names" for PHANTOM so it's a good chance that he wouldn't get a megastar for SUNSET if needed.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
Dolly_Levi
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/8/04
#20re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:36pm
When did La Streisand have this discussion w ALW about "total creative control?"
Perhaps she has mellowed a bit with time and following her success in "Fockers" maybe she would reconsider being directed by someone else - ?
I would love to see her do it! Fingers crossed!
"I've come home at last!"
Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.
Carol Channing
Updated On: 2/27/05 at 05:36 PM
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#21re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:38pm
Dolly, that still gives me chills when I hear her sing that line.
And this was a while ago but from what I hear he won't really have anything to do with her. Of course that info could be completely wrong but I haven't heard any mention of her name connected to this project for a few years.
I would also love to see LuPone do the film. It's high time Patti got some recognition on the silver screen.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
#22re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:39pmi agree...Barbra would be good as Norma.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
Dolly_Levi
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/8/04
#23re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 6:01pm
Back when Babs opened her big concert with "As If We Never Said Goodbye" I immediately thought that it was all about positioning - that she was positioning herself to some day do the role (in my mind on film) by aligning herself with the song. Just burrowing into our brains her voice with that song! Brilliant.
Side note: I recently thought the same thing when Dolly Parton opened with "Hello, Dolly!" in her concert. Positioning herself for the role - Dolly as Dolly on B'way anyone?
Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.
Carol Channing
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#24re: The Barbra as Norma?
Posted: 2/27/05 at 6:03pm
Dolly as Dolly would be a brilliant marketing slogan.
Of course they'd have to book the New Amsterdam to hold the world's gay population if she ever came to Broadway.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
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