SOUND OFF Special Edition: 10 More Norma Desmonds Ready For Their SUNSET BOULEVARD Close-Up

Last week, I carefully selected ten top picks for a major headliner to star as Norma Desmond in a potential future stage and/or screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD in honor of both the show's anniversary of its West End opening and recent news that Glenn Close is considering a return to her Tony-winning role in an upcoming revival. As a result of that column, BroadwayWorld readers took the title of this column to heart and sounded off on some of their most ideal choices for a leading lady with major star quality to tackle the unforgettable character in a future production - and, what fabulous choices they are!

Among the reader submissions, Ilene Argento posited, "If not Patti Lupone, maybe Meryl Streep (with some more singing lessons!), but it should be Patti (although Patti plus ALW will probably never happen again)," while Brian Lipensky wrote, "Glenn Close can still play her. That said, Meryl Streep can pull it off. We know she can sing and play characters with psychological problems. Susan Sarandon also. Maybe even Emma Thompson." Furthermore, Jonathan Caplan offered, "ANNIE LENNOX. Period. Well, if it can't be Elaine Paige, then absolutely, Annie Lennox. I said this before the musical ever opened, and I stand by it....ANNIE LENNOX!!!!!!" whereas David Macaluso relayed, "Seriously. With a good director, in a film. LIZA! she could be AMAZING." Other suggestions sure to inspire discussion included Cher, Lady Gaga, Ruthie Henshall, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and even Caitlyn Jenner. So, without further ado, here are ten more delectable choices for a new Norma Desmond for 2015.

1. Meryl Streep. The biggest female movie star in the world would be sensational in the vaguely relatable role of an aging big screen goddess. Furthermore, Streep has proven her box office clout in movie musicals with the hit status of both MAMMA MIA! and INTO THE WOODS, so she would also be a surefire insurance policy for potential producers were they to take the project on with her in the lead. The possibilities for brilliance with Streep in the show, whether onstage or onscreen, are undoubtedly endless.

2. Catherine Zeta-Jones. Perhaps the finest of all reader submissions is this all-too apt selection, particularly given the elegant air and a certain je ne sais quoi Zeta-Jones would be able to imbue the recluse with were she to play the part. Plus, given her Tony Award winner status for her musical theatre work and similar Oscar success with a movie musical, she could do it in any medium - and, she is actually approaching the ideal age right now to really carry the role off as it was originally intended to be done.

3. Cher. As with many dream-casting choices, considerations such as actual age must be taken into account even if they read younger onscreen, yet with a major diva such as Cher being chosen, no doubt filmmakers would utilize CGI to enhance and adjust any age-related issues that could arise. And, after all, Cher is the first to admit she is a plastic surgery addict - and, as a result, remains frozen in time as far as her looks are concerned. Believe!

4. Liza Minnelli. Having battled recent heath troubles and recently returned to rehab, Minnelli could emerge victorious for the umpteenth time in her incomparable career with a star turn for the ages as Norma Desmond. The delicious possibility of her re-teaming with NEW YORK, NEW YORK director and former paramour Martin Scorsese behind the camera, as rumors once tantalizingly suggested, could add a fantastic meta-narrative were he to be involved, too. The world goes 'round, but Norma is a role fans have been dying for Minnelli to tackle for decades.

5. Barbra Streisand. Another popular suggestion is the world's most renowned vocalist and one of the biggest movie stars of her generation (or any, for that matter), Barbra Streisand. While rumors have persisted over the years of Streisand eyeing a film adaptation of the stage hit, a septuagenarian Norma could be an issue - yet, there is no denying that Streisand remains ever-youthful and CGI can help inordinately with the rest. Historically, she was the first person to record Norma's iconic showstopper "As If We Never Said Goodbye", as well, so her involvement in he big screen edition would bring the journey full-circle.

6. Annie Lennox. The internationally celebrated rock superstar could bring an entirely different energy to the tale, particularly given Lennox's steely vocals and oft eerie and ghostlike demeanor onstage. Plus, her ferocity when laying into a major song selection could very well offer a force and power, not to mention a heretofore unseen rock n roll sensibility, to the titanic central character of the musical totally unique and thrilling. And, she could do it onstage or onscreen, as her extensive ongoing touring and recording activities confirm. Why? Why not!

7. Betty Buckley. The Broadway superstar and familiar face from the big and small screen could quite convincingly turn back the hands of time a few decades to reprise one of her career highlights with a SUNSET revisiting. As concert-goers are acutely aware, Buckley still fills the room with her unmistakable vocal sound like always, so she could very well be an ideal choice for a stage revival - or, perhaps, a live TV or movie theater presentation.

8. Elaine Paige. One of the most acclaimed and fondly remembered of all Norma Desmonds in SUNSET BOULEVARD on both sides of the pond, Elaine Paige would be a highly intriguing selection to return to the part she made her Broadway debut in, as well. As her recent internationally broadcast concert event attests, she is as golden-voiced and glowing as always, making her a prime candidate for a return to one of her most celebrated characterizations of all time.

9. Ruthie Henshall. The multi-award-winning West End leading lady and Broadway regular would be right at home singing the soaring score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, highlighted by Norma's many major musical moments. Furthermore, the tragic air she brought to her iconic portrayal of Fantine in LES MISERABLES, not to mention her glamorous CHICAGO runs on both shores, would provide the part with the equal-parts tragedy and razzmatazz necessary to make the most of the showy material.

10. Patti LuPone. The coup of all coups related to SUNSET BOULEVARD would undoubtedly be to see the one and only original Norma in the stage version return to play the part once more - whether in a one night only concert, in a full-out production or even as a live TV or film event. Considering the famous history of the battles between LuPone and Lloyd Webber over the show - resulting in a scandalous multi-million dollar lawsuit - it seems as though it would be an impossibility, but Patti LuPone in SUNSET BOULEVARD once more would be an event for the ages that would even put the uber buzzed-about BOMBSHELL Actors Fund concert to shame.

Actually, on that note, how about a one night Actors Fund concert using all of these suggestions from last week and this week - and some others, as well? Who else would you suggest producers consider were that to somehow happen? In any event, talk about a wow-worthy group of dynamite divas worthy of a close-up - or twenty!

Photo Credits: RUG, etc.