Sunset Boulevard (1994 Los Angeles Cast) [Cast Recording]

Alan Campbell, Christopher Hampton, George Hearn, Don Black, Sunset Boulevard (Related Recordings), Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Close, Judy Kuhn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 1994
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Decca Broadway
• ASIN: B000001E6V
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,508 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #97 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Overture/I Guess It Was 5 A.M.

2. Let's Have Lunch

3. Every Movie's a Circus

4. Car Chase

5. At the House on Sunset

6. Surrender

7. With One Look

8. Salome

9. The Greatest Star of All

10. Every Movie's a Circus (Reprise)

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Entr'acte

2. Sunset Boulevard

3. There's Been a Call/Journey to Paramount

4. As If We Never Said Goodbye

5. Paramount Conversations/Surrender (Reprise)

6. Girl Meets Boy (Reprise)

7. Eternal Youth Is Worth a Little Suffering

8. Who's Betty Schaefer?

9. Betty's Office at Paramount

10. Too Much in Love to Care

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

All the benefits of the London version of Sunset Boulevard are as enjoyable in the U.S. premiere version--the luscious melodies, the wonderful atmosphere, the compelling story line (adapted from the 1950 Billy Wilder film), the spectacular staircase. OK, you don't get the staircase on this CD, but you do get the later, more polished show that debuted in Los Angeles in 1994. And despite the oft-repeated themes and occasionally banal lyrics, it remains one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's more satisfying works.

The most obvious difference between the two recordings, of course, is the leading-lady role. Glenn Close doesn't have the big voice of Patti LuPone--and you will miss LuPone in a big number such as "With One Look"--but her portrayal of Norma Desmond is riveting, and LuPone is so distinctive it's almost distracting. In the supporting casts, London's Kevin Anderson is extremely laid back as Joe Gillis, while Meredith Braun is very girlish as the 22-year-old Betty Schaefer; both characterizations are appropriate, but their counterparts Alan Campbell and Judy Kuhn have stronger voices, as does L.A.'s George Hearn. Lastly, the Los Angeles production is a more complete recording, totaling 122 minutes compared to 96 for London. If you're looking to pick up one recording of Sunset Boulevard, this is the one. It's also available in a highlights version. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

This is the American Premiere Recording starring Glenn Close. In one of the boldest moves in his career, Andrew Lloyd Webber took Billy Wilder's classic film noir and musicalized it. The end result was a piece of theater as dramatic, dynamic, beautiful and shocking as the original work. A theatrical tour de force, Glenn Close delivers the finest performance of her career as Silent film diva Norma Desmond. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this deluxe edition -- buy the US release, January 2, 2006

By 

Rafgar (Quezon City, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard [Deluxe Edition] (Audio CD)

I recently bought this deluxe edition thinking that the audio quality would be better than the regular US release since it has been 'remastered'. When I listened to it, I could hear some noise specially in silent moments (such as in conversations). When I listened to my highlights CD (US release), the audio quality was much, much better. So, I suggest that this 'deluxe edition' not be considered if you're thinking of buying the original American cast recording of Sunset Boulevard. Better stick with the regular US release.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars whoa, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sunset Boulevard (1994 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

After hearing Evita and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat I thought I'd heard the extent of Andrew Lloyd Webber's talents. Then I bought Sunset Boulevard. This is without question the most amazing musical I have ever heard (to say nothing about being ALW's best). It's dialogue is exceptional and the music is not used in such ways as other ALW musicals, such as the two I previously mentioned. Instead it's used in such a way as to not tell the story but instead augment it and make it all the more spectacular. Close's performance was spectacular and I'm truly amazed her talent comes through a CD as well as it does on a screen. Joe McGillis is an unforgettable character, right up there with the best cynics in history. The character who plays him does give a somewhat flawed performance but there's some much character there it's impossible to completely botch it. Everyone else is amazing. I really just can't say enough about this musical. It has prompted me to try everything in my power to see it live. For those of you, like me, who probably won't anytime soon I truly urge you to get this CD. I repeat a previous reviewer who said if you care at all about music theater you should get this CD.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Norma Desmond, October 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sunset Boulevard (1994 Los Angeles Cast) (Audio CD)

This is the Sunset recording any devoted fan must own. And why ? Only this album contains the full score - all the changes incorporated into the award winning Los Angeles production. Only here can you experience the full book, underscoring and the new song written by Llyod Webber - 'Every Movie's a Circus.' While the London cast recording consists of a pared down version of the dialogue, here every thing is as you'll here it on stage. And the result ? The full atmosphere, the forbidding mood, the ominous, dasrk quality that lurks in this beautifully romantic, menacing piece of true theatre. What makes it truly great however, is the performance of Hollywood movie star Miss Glenn Close. Yes, it can be argued that she is less vocally talented than other actresses. Her range is more limited certainly. This however, makes her rendition of With One Look no less effective. Indeed her voice reverberates with the bitterness and determination Norma feels. She sounds so much like a silent star who could have been rejected because her voice would not record well ! She invests every song with amazing emotion and haunting pathos. 'As If We Never said Goodbye,' is made all the more touching by her voice breaking into heart felt sobs as she cries 'Has there ever been a moment with so much to live for ?' As for the way she handles the dialogue - role over Gloria Swanson. She is bitchy, authorative, commanding and sympathetic all at once ! The final scene here is outstanding, with Miss Close practically becoming Salome and the hysterics you hear as she pleads with Joe not to leave her sound like a spoilt child crying. This is of course what Norma is - someone so distorted by her years in Hollywood that she has never grown up. It is on this recording that you can here the tony award winning actress at her best and experience the full, orchestral beauty of what is undeniably one of the greatest musical shows ever.