Variety: How 'Evita' and 'Sunset Blvd.' Made Andrew Lloyd Webber Hot Again- Page 2

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 12:11pm

SUNSET could have extended if they had a big enough star willing to do it. But it was the Nicole show, and when she was out the grosses were awful, and rightfully nobody wanted to replace her in that show. This is not a new problem: it happens almost every time a star or incredibly lauded person opens a show.

For EVITA to be an extended run, it would have to have strong sales even when Zegler is out. They cannot bank on a star replacement. That production might also have more international or touring potential, and it’s a much bigger title than Sunset. But if its chances of transferring are dead, then it’s meaningless to talk about it!

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 12:11 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 12:14pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I wonder if ALW regrets the shortening of Surrender or the cutting entirely of Lady’s Paying and Eternal Youth."

I missed "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth" but managed to forgive Jamie Lloyd for those cuts in the context he created for his production. However, "Surrender" is one of my favorite songs from Sunset, and I found his truncation unnecessary and infuriating.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 12:52pm

I was thrilled with LADY'S PAYING being cut and could have used even more trims (the end of act one has always felt endless for me). In a perfect world, I wish ALW and his wordsmiths would replace "Too Much In Love To Care" which has always felt so treacly at that point in the show.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 2:52pm

chrishuyen said: "To that point as well, the directors of Jellicle Ball have spoken about how originally they took more liberties with the score but when they presented the idea to ALW he requested they stick to the original score (and orchestrations?), though they were allowed to add club beats to it. They acquiesced and said that he had the right instinct all along and they didn’t need to change the score to fit their vision, but I do wonder what the show would’ve looked like with their changes."

Everyone I know who attended a presentation of their ideas in the pre-production process loved the changes, and were sad but not surprised to see most of them didn't survive ALW's approval. (As for his allowing them to add club beats, my understanding is also that there were many more interjections even in their more faithful treatment, and he still put his thumb on the scale either during the tail end of rehearsals or in previews.)

My understanding is that they may be buttering him up in hopes that they can get away with putting some of that back in the transfer, but they're about to learn, like (evidently) Jamie Lloyd, that ALW's goodwill only lasts so long if you don't tread very carefully.

Some quick advice to them if any of them read BWW (and who knows, they might): pick the hills of re-entry you're willing to die on now, because you're almost certainly getting nothing but. He may play "hands off," but we all know better.

Updated On: 8/16/25 at 02:52 PM

[BJR]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 7:34pm

My eyebrow raise/eyeroll thought of the Jamie Lloyd comments were that for all this board has made of Patti's comments and feuds, ALW seems to have almost as many public spats and messy ego-centric behavior.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/16/25 at 8:05pm

ALW does seem a bit destructive when it comes to relationships. I wonder what happened with Tim Rice. Tim always is the one who looks reluctant to be there when they’re seen together. And from what I’ve seen of him individually, he’s the more relaxed/less neurotic personality of the two. 

Updated On: 8/17/25 at 08:05 PM

[binau]

Posted: 8/17/25 at 5:36am

"ALW's goodwill only lasts so long if you don't tread very carefully."

At least in the case of what should happen to Evita All ALW needs to do is listen to the lyric in his own show and carry on: 

When the money keeps rolling in
You don't ask how
Think of all the people guaranteed
A good time now

[bear88]

Posted: 8/18/25 at 1:15am

Has any Broadway production of Sunset Blvd. - original Glenn Close version, Close revival, Scherzinger revival - made money? 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 8/18/25 at 3:02am

bear88 said: "Has any Broadway production ofSunset Blvd. -original Glenn Close version, Close revival, Scherzinger revival - made money?"

No. Because people will see any Phantom or Grizabella, but are picky about who is cast as Norma, thus limiting the run and the ability to recoup. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/18/25 at 3:13am

Plus the original production was plagued with high costs and I guess so was this most recent revival. Not sure what happened in 2017 I remember it selling well and it was a concert but it was a very large orchestra and cast in a large theatre so guessing costs were also high. 

 

[bear88]

Posted: 8/18/25 at 3:30am

Here’s another question, perhaps more difficult to answer (but I’ll try anyway): Will this year’s Evita revival in London recoup? I know costs are lower there, and the show has been selling out the London Palladium all summer - at some eye-popping prices in a very large theater.

Then again, it’s a limited run, with what I assume to be some relatively high running costs. Lots of people who saw the musical got their tickets at much lower prices because they bought early. Even my daughter was able to snag decently priced tickets to see it again after she liked it the first time.

I know the economics of London theater are more opaque so I just have no idea.