ALW's " SUNSET BOULEVARD" returns to the West End for 30th Anniversary revival

That infernal noise you are trying to determine is the gnashing of Glenn Close’s teeth.

I think at this point Glenn should play Max.

[quote]Recording artist Nicole Scherzinger has been selected by Lloyd Webber to star as faded silent star 'Norma Desmond'

So Sarah fucking Brightman was too fucking FAT for the role?

Of course, fans of the musical are already with the spears and daggers out...

They are saying the star, Nicole, is TOO YOUNG for the role, even though she's a year older than when Patti LuPone starred in 1993, and two years younger than when Close starred in 1994. Many say she looks half her age, and comes across too sexy.

They're concerned with director Jamie Lloyd, who's known for his bare minimalist set design and only concentrates on the actors. Will there be only two chairs on stage to represent Norma's lavish mansion ? Will there be a ladder she steps up and down from the represent the grand staircase ? Will Hogeye's spotlight be replaced by a flashlight ?

Of course, with just a sixteen week run, there wouldn't be a huge budget for the production, and a lavish set (like we saw in 1993-97) is out of the question. That's probably why Lloyd was chosen. Still - bare minimum is not what SB was ever about.

Thoughts ?

R3 She has gained lots of weight. She should diet a bit. Otherwise it would be great to see her as Norma.

This would be great news if ALW had asked Patti to return for a limited run.

I agree R5, she'd be fabulous for it otherwise.

Maybe Brightman will do the revival on B'way if it ever makes it here. She has a huge following in the USA.

[quote]They are saying the star, Nicole, is TOO YOUNG for the role, even though she's a year older than when Patti LuPone starred in 1993, and two years younger than when Close starred in 1994. Many say she looks half her age, and comes across too sexy.

I did check her age and I feel incredibly sad to realise that Don't Cha is 18 years old.

Scherzinger's pop career has detracted from her talent as a singer as did the celebrity dating and reality tv show appearances (MOMMY YOU PROMISED ME!)

But she is an exceptional talent and has come closer to winning an Oscar than Glenn has, via Jai Ho.

I don't think she's that familiar stateside.

I suppose Andrew will stop writing now that everything in this century has failed. Looking for the revamp of Joseph and his Dreamcoat next.

R11 Wasn't his SCHOOL OF ROCK a major hit ?

“School of Rock” is unlikely to restore Mr. Lloyd Webber to the throne from which he ruled Broadway four decades ago, when he led the conquering forces of the British poperetta with works like “Evita” and the unkillable “Phantom of the Opera.”

"O.K., so frisky is perhaps not a word you want to see anywhere near Mr. Lloyd Webber’s name, especially if you’re among those who were allergic to the felines who purred T. S. Eliot verses to swoony tunes in “Cats."

Billy Wilder saw the production at the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles with Glenn Close. When asked what he thought of the show, he said, “It was brilliant. They didn’t change a thing.”

[quote]“School of Rock” is unlikely to restore Mr. Lloyd Webber to the throne from which he ruled Broadway four decades ago, when he led the conquering forces of the British poperetta with works like “Evita” and the unkillable “Phantom of the Opera.”

However, it was a hit on Broadway in the 21st Century, correct ? Wasn't the statement 'I suppose Andrew will stop writing now that everything in this century has failed' ? Doesn't this prove that not everything he did was a failure this century ?

This German production seems to get it right.

Aspects of Love is back in the West End, back with Michael Bobby Ball.

Back in 1990-93, ALW was so picky on who would star in his musical - he had to have the right actress perform his Norma Desmond. Shirley MacLaine and Angela Lansbury were his two preferred choices. Michele Lee was on his short-list. LuPone and Close ended up getting the roles. He was choosy in making sure not only the actress could sing the role, but look the part of a silent screen star - someone who had the right facial features and expressions on stage.

Since then, it seems like anyone who wants the role can have it. He hasn't been that choosy in a very long time.

Will it be better than CATS?

FAYE DUNAWAY, R18. FAYE DUNAWAY!

Dunaway sure had the looks of a glamorous silent screen star - yet he said she couldn't sing. I've always wondered if she started with her crazy behavior back then (in her 50s) and he didn't want to come out and say it. So he blamed her singing.

R21 Her voice and singing couldn’t be worse than Close’s.

Dunaway was 54 he offered her the role in 1994. I have a feeling she started losing her mind back then - maybe it was due to menopause, or treatment for it ? He blamed her singing, but I'm thinking it was her irrational, crazy behavior starting. Maybe she started throwing salads at people back then.

Nicole Scherzinger is a hot slut. No 30 year old failed writer would be ashamed to gigolo for her.

But can she play the part of Norma Desmond convincingly ? That is the question on everyone's mind.

^ no. If she could act, she would have done so in movies by now.

[quote]But she is an exceptional talent and has come closer to winning an Oscar than Glenn has, via Jai Ho.

Which she wasn’t listed as a nominee for, you delusional queen.

I mean Norma is a beautiful silent movie star, in that respect she fits the bill more than Close, Lupone, Buckley and Page. As mentioned above she’s close in age to the ladies mentioned.

Movie wise it’s going to be another Streisand/Gypsy. I think CZJ could do the part justice on film maybe Michelle Pfeiffer.

R26 Assuming she wanted a movie career. Maybe she is satisfied with a stage career - like many actresses ?

R28 Glenn’s Sunset and Barbra’s Gypsy won’t happen.

R16 You can never go wrong with Pia Douwes in anything. Maybe ALW couldn't get her the job because of, you know...BREXIT.

Ohhhh Pia would be sublime!

Nicole has been very dramatic on The Masked Singer, as she can cry on demand whenever the singer sings a sad song! She's very talented.

Lloyd is gonna have them wearing grey rags and sweatpants. Norma will get a turban made of cotton.

[quote] "SUNSET BOULEVARD" will be making it's way

Its, stupid cunt OP. Go to the link and do not type anything until you have read every word.

Because you're a stupid cunt, OP.

[quote]I think CZJ could do the part justice on film maybe Michelle Pfeiffer.

Michelle could do it, but I'm still far too young!

Joan Collins can do it at 90. All that white flour on her face, false eye lashes and lipstick ? Yup she can.

Why not stunt cast and have Brooke Shields do it? She's a passable singer, especially for how Desmond's portrayed in it.

[quote] Assuming she wanted a movie career. Maybe she is satisfied with a stage career - like many actresses ?

Nope.

ALW was so annoyed that she pulled out of the Broadway transfer of Cats in favour of another season of the X-Factor (ie cold hard cash) that he refused to let her audition for the movie. Nicole complained publicly about losing the role to JHud long after its release. .

Brightman could play the Isotta Fraschini, R5.

[quote]Lloyd Webber commented, “Nicole is one of the finest singers I have worked with, and I can’t wait to get started on this exciting show with her and the rest of this brilliant team."

Referring to her as a singer, not an actress is very telling. Yes, I know that's how she got started, of course, and where her fame derives from. But she's been doing musical theatre for a while now. And while Norma is a big role vocally it needs a strong actress. Well, it needs a better book and stronger lyrics, but that's the case with even the best (relatively speaking) Lloyd Webber shows.

Pia Zadora would be a Norma for the ages.

Brightman caN't act and she has to make weird facial expressions now.

44? Come on!

Glenn will be filming in Finland this summer

The good news is that Nicole's nosejob and fillers won't be visible from the stage.

Wait.....Glenn is filming what?

Creature from the Black Lagoon r47

I'm so sick of hearing that LuPone and Close were not beautiful enough to play a silent movie star convincingly. Beauty is subjective: I find both women beautiful, albeit unconventionally so. Otherwise, their looks aren't anything some makeup and glamour couldn't "fix." Besides, have you seen some of the broads they used to sell as The World's Most Beautiful Women? Look at Theda Bara. The mind boggles. One thing all those women had was charisma, which is all you need to be seen as a potentially marketable star. Nicole's modern surgical enhancements (and absence of charisma) are more unbelievable than LuPone or Close's lack of girl-next-door good looks, but who cares? It's fiction. Suspend disbelief.