[what_the_heck013]

I was just recommended the title song from Sunset Boulevard and I absolutely love it. So I'm curious to know what you guys think of this musical as a whole.

[Dvarg]

I think it's a missed opportunity. The score is boring, and the source was treated with too much respect for the good of the musical. Instead of being a show of it's own, it's more like a stage presentation of the movie with overlong songs that spells out what the movie treated more effectively and subtly.

[Sweeney Hyde]

There is a lot of repitition in the score, as is with most ALW shows. You know...the repeating of Jealicle Songs for Jeacle Cats some 8000 times...The Woman in White largely being three songs repeated over and over again to new lyrics...etc.

There are definately songs from it that I love though. I enjoy my recording of it very much (American Premier).

All in all, I think that it is one of Andrew's better shows and was worth the effort.

[Dvarg]

[Salome]

I enjoy alot of the score..The Ladies Pating..with one look..grwatest star of all..new ways to dream...Suunset blvd..every movies a circus...

other things are repititious as was mentioned..the performances were outstanding.
Glenn Close,George Hearn,Alan Campbell and Alice Ripley all wonderul.

[what_the_heck013]

Yeah, repetition is always one thing that I never liked about ALW (he never seemed to get the idea of a musical motif that Sondheim has mastered)... but I think this has become my favorite ALW score.

[jcstar]

It's his best post-PHANTOM show.

Andy.

[Mara]

I think Sunset is underrated, I like it much more than anything except Phantom and Evita. It is repetitive but I think many of the lesser known songs are really great.

[Salome]

[Mara]

It's BETTER than Phantom but I like Phantom more. Like many people here, I have a soft spot for it but I can recognise its faults and shortcomings.

[jcstar]

[what_the_heck013]

I really think that Christine Ebersole would make a fabulous Norma Desmond.

[Glissando]

Love this show. Just love it.

[Rumpleteazer4760]

I have never had the opportunity to see the show but if I did I would certainly jump at it! I've heard some of the songs and they're lovely; the title song is one of my favorite ALW songs of all time.

[RTTugger1977]

Saw this show back in '95, in Toronto. I liked it a lot, it's probably the last good ALW show before he jumped the shark.

And I will say this about ASPECTZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ... OF LOVE: Don't play the cast album at work. You'll be trying extremely hard not to fall asleep.

[Jordan]

[wtwt5237]

Then we can come up with the quesetion of your best songs in Sunset Bld.
Mine are with one look and the perfect year.
What about yours?
PS: I also don't like the repetition in it, boring......

[Salome]

Aspecyts is by far Webber's best show without Rice..but Sunset is a Close 2nd.

[Set_Buildin_Dad]

Sunset is on my "to see" list when a decent company does it within 200 miles of my location. I'm not sure if it's worth seeing if the show doesn't have a decent lead who can act as well as sing. Without a convincing actress I have a feeling the show would fall flat on its face. Does anyone else have any insight on this issue?

[Guinevere]

I think for melodrama, you can't get any better than "Sunset"! The original film version is pretty melodramatic. So, I think with ALW's style of music that he composes, it fits with the story.

I think the show was overshadowed by the staircase! I can remember when the show first opened all the talk was about how grand the grand staircase was!! I saw a touring production. Needless to say, because of all the hype, I was actually kind of anxious to see this "spectacular" staircase. The tour did NOT have that staircase, though! I have seen other shows (i.e. "Miss Saigon", "Phantom", et.c.) that have been the same as the Broadway version. So, it was a little bit of a letdown when the staircase wasn't there. I at least expected the same staircase except on a smaller scale, if nothing else. Also, as a side note, they didn't sell programs there! That was frustrating! This was a regular, legitimate, national tour. I just didn't get any of it!

Having said that, I honestly think that helped the show just a tad bit because there wasn't the "spectacle" of this gigantic gold prop on stage. Then again, the staircase that they used was SO small and DULL looking that it was somewhat of a contradiction of the sort of house that such an over-the-top character would own.

All-in-all, though, I think the show is OK. I personally LOVE the song "As If We Never Said Goodbye".

I know a few years ago they talked about making it into a film. I wonder if they are still flirting with the idea.

[jcstar]

Having seen footage of the original Canadian cast, that show did not have the "spectacular staircase" that people talk about.

Even so, the show is quite good and the Canadian cast was excellent.

Andy.

[Glissando]

I don't think it's the best show in the world, but I do love it.

[santtu]

The movie SUNSET BOULEVARD is my favorite film of all time, and it really bothers me that I never got the opportunity to see the musical version on stage.

I love ALW's score - one of his, if not the, best scores! "With One Look" is one of his best songs.

I did see, however, Elaine Paige's performance on the internet. The whole show was there on a-site-which-I-won't-name-here as an illegal copy. It took about 3,5 hours to watch and the sound&picture quality wasn't the best possible, but it was worth it!

This show is on my 'must see' -list if ever there is a revival!