Sunset Boulevard...

[Villiy]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:12pm

We all know that Patti LuPone got the role of Norma stolen from her (it could have been for the best), however do you think that Sunset Boulevard would have thrived on Broadway without Glen Close and with Patti LuPone? Also, which performace do you think was better, Close or LuPone, and would Patti have won the Tony if she had starred in the production on Broadway?

just curious

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:14pm

I did not see Lu Pone in the production, only Close.

As far as recordings go, I prefer Glen Close - though LuPone is not bad.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:17pm

Someone I know that saw both performances said that LuPone sang it better, but Close acted it better.

1995 was a bad year. The only other actress nominated was Rebecca Luker for Show Boat. I think LuPone would have won the Tony had she performed the role on Broadway.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:18pm

I gave up the chance of seeing the show, in London, when Patti was in it (stupid, stupid me); and, walked out at intermission in NY, with Close. Couldn't have hated her more, in the role. Gave new meaning to over-the-top. And, that screeching voice. Easily, one of the worst things I've ever seen. What was your question, again?

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:27pm

Glen would be my choice... although she may not have the grandest of voices; it was her interpretation that was right on. It seems she understood the role of Norma the best... I will never forget the final staircase scene... you could be in the last row of the cavernous Minskoff and still feel the emotion exploding from that stage. She is a true dramatic actress... and that is exactly what the role demanded!

I was fortunate enough to catch Patti in London, Glen in LA and NY, Betty in NY, Elaine in NY and Petula on the road… Glen is still my choice!!!

[Flahooley]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:42pm

I saw all the major Normas.

LuPone was too young and seemed to stop acting when she started singing. One of those examples of a true talent not matched well with the role.

Glenn Close was one-note all the way through. Aside from her voice being weak.. she never made up for it with a nuanced performance. She was characture crazy from curtain-up, so when she shot Joe it was no surprise- almoset anti-climatic

Hands Down Betty Buckley was the best. She anchored the show with her astonishing voice and unsettled the audience with her disturbing interpretation. She didn't fall for the diva in drag tempation that the other did.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:42pm

Between Patti and Glenn, Patti hands down however Betty Buckley was the best out of all the Normas in my opinion.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:47pm

Well, the only reason the show did decent business on Broadway was because of Glenn Close. As soon as she left the production, it struggled on Broadway and eventually closed. So I don't think the show would have been as successful as it was without Close. But who knows.

[Flahooley]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 3:52pm

Well, Even with Glenn Close it was barely breaking even. It was very poorly produced. I believe even with its relatively long run it was the biggest broadway financial loser in history.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:09pm

Anyone see Petula Clark? Bless her heart. She tried.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:17pm

Yes. Petula tried. She tried and wound up coming across as a spoiled, manipulative child who you couldn't feel sorry for at all. And without some kind of tragic compassion for Norma, the show doesn't work.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:19pm

"Anyone see Petula Clark? Bless her heart. She tried."

Yikes. I saw her in London. She was much too sweet and girlish. I left the theater thinking, "Why would such a nice lady pull the trigger?"

[Wildcard]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:22pm

I prefer Close over Lupone, not that Patti is a bad singer or actress. My issue with some of Patti's interpretations is that I never see or hear the character, I see and hear Patti. I was able to suspend disbelief with close and believe that it was Norma that I was watching.

Elaine Paige's Norma was good and on character but nothing too spectacular. I also saw Petula Clark and while not the best Norma, she brought a humorous interpretation to the role which is amazing given that she is reciting the same lines and singing the same songs.

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:23pm

I saw Petula Clark. Anything else that I could share about the experience will just dig up those memories I worked so hard to suppress and land me back in therapy. She *did* try, though, to be fair.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:23pm

Yes, way to girlish...and by girlish, i mean she giggled a lot and constantly smiled. I didn't get it. So, yes she played a "crazy Norma" but unlike the others Norma she was crazy before Joe Gillis pulled into her driveway.
IMO, of course.
:)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:27pm

"Yes, way to girlish...and by girlish, i mean she giggled a lot and constantly smiled."

Yes. And the night I saw her, she was very flirty with Joe. It really didn't make sense when he came back from the New Year's Party.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:53pm

Who is Patti Lupone anyway? I hate the way she talks in interviews, she is so pretentious and such an elitist. I am not impressed by anything she has done… well except “Life Goes On.” LOL
Updated On: 7/13/06 at 04:53 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 4:54pm

Glen would be my choice... although she may not have the grandest of voices; it was her interpretation that was right on. It seems she understood the role of Norma the best... I will never forget the final staircase scene... you could be in the last row of the cavernous Minskoff and still feel the emotion exploding from that stage. She is a true dramatic actress... and that is exactly what the role demanded!

Well, your idea of acting and mine are, obviously, very different.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 7:40pm

Who is Patti Lupone anyway? I hate the way she talks in interviews, she is so pretentious and such an elitist. I am not impressed by anything she has done… well except “Life Goes On.” LOL

This is my new favorite post, cause i ask my self that question everyday, Patti has no talent, her singing is shocking, has anyone ever understood a word she has sung in the last 20 years...

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 7:43pm

For some reason, I was reminded of an appearance by Glenn Close, on The Late Show with David Letterman, or whatever his NBC show was called. He asked her about her days with UP WITH PEOPLE, and she said she didn't want to discuss that. He sighed and said "Okay, tell me about your new movie, then"; let her speak for a brief segment, went to commercial, and when he came back on, she was gone. He was trying to illicit something different and unique from her, and all she wanted to do was plug. I really have no idea why I thought of that. I'll have to dig out my UP WITH PEOPLE album and listen to it.
Updated On: 7/13/06 at 07:43 PM

[west end artist1]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:12pm

Betty Buckley was by far the best in this role.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:27pm

Mejusthavingfun: I'm heartened by the fact that numerous fans and critics can appreciate Patti LuPone for the roles she has portrayed onstage. Then...there's "you." Enough said. from Roman in Austin, Texas... the official Patti LuPone FANatic

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:30pm

I'm so giving Roman a standing ovation right now!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:49pm

Thank you September...from Roman in Austin, Texas... the official Patti LuPone FANatic

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 12:58pm

Do crazy people know they are crazy?

That would have been a good question for Petula Clark as Norma.