Tag Archives: Broadway

As If We Never Said Goodbye: Glenn Close Reprises Her Iconic Role on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard

If there is one thing you need to put on your bucket list today, especially if you love movies, old time films or musicals, you must see Glenn Close in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Sunset Boulevard.

With one look from this beautiful bright shining star, you realize as you are sitting in that old decrepit seat in a dark sea of onlookers that  you are in the presence of not just an icon, but a goddess.  This is the moment (yes, that might be a Frank Wildhorn reference) where you understand just how important these next few hours are going to be, because you have been graced with the honor of being in the same room as Glenn Close.

That feeling goes hand in hand with her character Norma Desmond, an aging silent film star who has lost her glory days. With one look, she could tell an entire story.  No words needed to be spoken or sung.  One look said everything.




But as Hollywood grew and technology advanced, Norma was left behind.  As she grew older, she became stuck in her glory days while the rest of the world moved on without her.  Thus, we dive into Norma’s own mental illness.

In this run, Close wanted to focus more on the mental illness part of the story.  [Variety, February 1, 2017]  There is part of you that sympathizes with Norma, and the other part of you that realizes that everyone has been sucked into her web and they can’t break free.  She won’t let you.  It’s not just the characters that are caught, it is the audience, too.

The Palace Theatre presents “Sunset Boulevard”



It takes a masterful actress to be able to do that to her audience as well.  Close is, of course, a  bewitching mistress of her craft.  She reprises her Tony Award winning role from 20 years ago.  But this time, she’s playing Norma just a little differently.  She is perfecting her.

If there is anything you see on Broadway, let it be this show.  Previews begin today (February 2, 2017) with the show running through May 28th.

If it were my guess at who will win Tonys this year, Sunset Boulevard and Glenn Close are at the top of my list.  This is a performance you will never forget.

Here is just a peek into the greatness Close gives to Norma Desmond.  Trust me when I say experiencing the performance in person is something you will never forget.

[youtube=https://youtu.be/4Y-hmaltmxs]

More…

For more on Glenn Close’s performance in Sunset Boulevard, the original 1994 cast recording is available for your listening pleasure.  For those with streaming services, the soundtrack is available to download.

For the movie, you can order it here:

Also something you should note, if you read the Variety article linked above, you’ll notice that there is some talk about a remake of the film starring Glenn Close.  It would be wonderful if they brought the musical version of Sunset Boulevard to the screen so that this incredible performance could be seen for all time, especially for those who could not see this in person.   That film would be absolutely magical.

Until then, get thee to Broadway to see Sunset Boulevard.  You will not regret it.



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An American in Paris on Broadway

An American in Paris is playing at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.
An American in Paris is playing at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.

The classic show “An American in Paris” is back on Broadway.  Before they had their Opening Night, I was able to see the show during previews and I have to say, it literally blew me away.  It is no surprise at all to see that “An American in Paris” tops the nominees for the Tony Awards, receiving 12 nominations.

Let me explain what was so fabulous about “An American in Paris.”  First, for those who do not know, the show is a musical ballet.  What made this show absolutely breathtaking was the prima ballerina Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin).

In the scene where she is trying out for a role in a ballet company, she is not allowed to rehearse with the other ballerinas after arriving to the rehearsal late.  At one point, she goes ahead and sneaks in and starts dancing with the others before taking off to dance on her own.  It is this moment that is particularly breathtaking because you not only see a phenomenal performance, you see Cope’s passion in her dancing.  It is this passion that set her apart from any other character in the production.  Her awe-inspiring performance throughout as a ballerina was like watching a ballerina in heaven dancing before your eyes.  That was how perfect she was.  You could get lost watching her dance.  Her passion for ballet could be seen in each step she took.  That is what made her so incredible.  That is what makes any actor so incredible…their ability to come up with a spectacular performance because they are doing what they love.

I knew nothing about the background of the musical, so I was surprised that there were a few numbers I grew up with like “I Got Rhythm,” “‘S Wonderful,” and “Shall We Dance” that were in the show.

The costumes throughout were absolutely gorgeous.  I wish I could add all of the dresses into my wardrobe.  They were so beautiful.

The story is about three men who are in love with a young ballerina.  There’s the composer who writes an entire ballet to immortalize her.  There’s the rich man who wants to marry her because that’s what his parents want him to do.  Then there is the soldier who steals her heart, but her obligations to the rich man prevent her from being with him.

These three men…just so happen to be friends and they are all in love with the same girl.

Who does she choose?  Well, you’ll have to see the musical for yourself.  Here’s a sneak peek…

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wt8tLjkI4w]

If you’re in NYC looking for deals to shows, use the Today Tix app.  You can scroll through and find the cheapest tickets available and purchase them through the app.  A Today Tix representative will meet you at the theater half an hour prior to the show to give you your tickets.  You just grab the tickets and go.  One of the simplest processes of getting your theater tickets.  It beats waiting in that long TKTS line (plus, it’s cheaper).  You can also take $20 off by using the code: KCZJB.