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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intensely Emotional and Hauntingly Beautiful, April 24, 2000
Musically, 'Sunset Boulevard' is Andrew Lloyd Webber's best behind 'The Phantom of the Opera'. When I first heard this album last year, I had no idea of the story. The reason I bought it was because Lloyd Webber had composed it, so I knew that I may have been in for something good. As I found out later, I was in for something amazing! The first time I had heard of Patti Lupone was in 'Les Miserables' (The Original London Cast). She was good in that, but nothing too memorable. So the first time I heard her in 'Sunset Boulevard' I was shocked and surprised at her powerful voice, especially when she says; Norma: "You there, why are you so late." Lupone's portrayal of Norma Desmond is haunting and awe-inspiring. It is the power in her voice, and the fact that she actually sings the songs, instead of speak/sings or shouts which Glenn Close does at times, that makes her the best Norma I have heard yet. Patti's voice is deep, husky, and sounds like Gloria Swanson's in the film of 'Sunset Boulevard' due to the fact that she sounds as if she is singing from the back of her throat. Her voice, therefore, makes her realistic in the role of the "old time movie star". Glenn Close is a brilliant Norma, don't get me wrong, but I feel that she over acts and she speaks instead of sings. Patti has a very beautiful and powerful voice and due to the fact that she actually sings the role, I believe she is better than Close. I don't agree with other reviewers who say Patti is not emotional; she is extremely passionate in the role, it is just that Close is moreso. In a comparison to Swanson, I believe that Patti uses her serious side more, whereas Close employs the more frivolous side of her. Kevin Anderson's portrayal of Jo Gillis is extremely realistic. Anderson has a smooth and easy voice. On the other hand, Alan Campbell from the American Premiere Recording, is so over the top it becomes comical at times. 'Sunset Boulevard' employs an intensity, dark themes, and an ability to appeal to the emotions of the listeners. There are so many songs in the album which do this. "Surrender" is a pretty, yet haunting song which is performed beautifully by Lupone. This song involves one of Norma's philosophies; that she will never surrender her belief that she will return to the movies. Lloyd Webber's music is compelling in this song and the lyricists, Don Black and Christopher Hampton, have produced some very stirring lyrics. "With one Look" reveals Norma's personality as well as her yearning to be back on the big screen. Norma is an extremely proud character, yet naive. She believes that she is "the greatest star of all", and that she is able to do anything she likes; because she is rich and the "people in the dark" adore her (in her opinion). Lloyd Webber's music in this song is powerful and the lyrics perfectly illustrate Norma's feelings. Patti sings this song with passion and she enthralls the listeners, with the overbearing personality of Norma. "The Lady's Paying" is my second favourite song in the album behind "As If We Never Said Goodbye." It is light-hearted and amusing. Again, I prefer Patti's portrayal of this song ahead of Close's because Patti sings it and Close practically speaks it. Lloyd Webber composed a great song when he wrote this one. "As If We Never Said Goodbye" is a passionately emotive song in which Norma's dreams appear to be coming true. It is, in my opinion, the most powerful song in the album, and one of the saddest, as Norma has built her hopes up, but her dreams will not come true. For this song I believe that Glenn Close and Patti both sing it brilliantly, especially the following part; Norma: "Could I stop my hand from shaking? Has there ever been a moment With so much to live for?" This is an extremely passionate song as Norma sings how she has missed being in movies. Lloyd Webber's music is inspirational and leaves the listeners in awe as the music haunts and amazes them simultaneously. The lyrics are emotive and appeals to the senses of the listeners brilliantly. The lyrics at the end of the song are simply beautiful; Norma: "We taught the world new ways to dream." "The Final Scene" involves the climax, and is the most emotional scene in the album. When Jo reveals to Norma that she has been living in a dream that will never come true; she will never make a return to the big screen, she shoots him dead. She then becomes emotionally unstable, and the listeners are coerced into pitying her, even though she has just killed the man she loves. Patti performs this scene with intense passion, and consequently she stirs the emotions of the readers. She finishes with the lines that she has yearned to say for twenty years, Norma: "This is my life. It always will be. There is nothing else. Just us and the cameras and all you wonderful people in the dark. And now, Mr Demille, I'm ready for my close-up." The story of 'Sunset Boulevard' is tragic and employs an intensity which serves to involve the listeners emotionally. It uses a lot of quotes from Billy Wilder's 1950 film of 'Sunset Boulevard' which makes it very good, as the film's script employed brilliant language. However, I would have preferred this album to be complete like the American Premiere Recording. Yet, Patti Lupone's portrayal of Norma Desmond is amazingly powerful and passionate, and in my opinion, is better than Glenn Close's very good portrayal. The rest of the cast are also wonderful. The lyrics are also extremely good. However, it is Lloyd Webber's rich blend of music which makes this album emotive, compelling, and beautiful; if a tragic story can be beautiful.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ms. LuPone Sends "Sunset" Soaring!, January 26, 2005
I am no fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber. I've always found his work for the musical theatre to be bland, predictable, and based more on showmanship than substance. I've only really like two of his shows to this day: "The Woman in White", which is currently playing in London and will transfer to Broadway later this year, and "Sunset Blvd.".
I'd always known that Patti LuPone was the first actress to play Norma Desmond, the original star of the successful West End version. I am a die-hard fan of Ms. LuPone, but I had never heard her sing this role. I'm sure most of you are aware of the story behind the transfer of this show from London to America: Patti was under contract to play Norma on Broadway, opposite George Hearn and Alan Campbell. At the last minute, she was paid one million dollars to be released from her contract, to make way for Glenn Close, a more bankable actress, to assume the role. Ms. Close was excellent in the role (I saw her twice in NY), but Ms. LuPone really was the real deal!
From the moment she enters the show, with the gorgeous and eery ballad "Surrender", Patti owns the stage. She gives all of her considerable talent to Norma Desmond, which is not an easy thing to do. The songs on this album are simply beautiful, and are among Sir Andrew's best.
It's a shame that American audiences were not given the chance to see Patti LuPone in this role. I think she would have blown us away.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This sun has set but let's remember the music. It's some of Webber's best., January 7, 2006
The film this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is based on is considered by many as one of the greatest film's ever made. The character of Norma Desmond is as legendary as the woman who portrayed her, Gloria Swanson. Andrew Lloyd Webber took a big chance in taking this classic material and turning it into a musical. For many, it was a colossal failure but for others, it was an astounding success.
The story centres around the tragic figure of Joseph Gillis (Kevin Anderson). A starving Hollywood writer who accidently stumbles upon Norma Desmond (Patti Lupone), a forgotten silent screen star who for years has been planning a "come-back". Norma Desmond then falls madly in love with Joe and she convinces him to help her write an epic motion-picture that she is to star in to cement her super-stardom once again. She is completely oblivious to the fact that cinema has changed and there is no room for an aging silent screen "has-been" in the Hollywood the "talkies" gave birth to.
Other colourful characters are Norma Desmond's bleak but likable Butler Max, Joe's best buddy Artie and his gal-pal Betty Schaeffer. Anyone who has ever seen the film knows that it ends tragically.
This is a great story and I think Andrew Lloyd Webber did a fantastic job musically in capturing the essence of Hollywood in the 1950's. The music is glamorous, tragic and deeply moving and it spawned 2 huge musical theatre numbers- the haunting "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Good-bye". But these two songs are far from being the only good songs in the bunch.
The musical opens with the clumsy "Let's Have Lunch". Despite the repetitive lyrics the song features energetic performances and an infectious melody. The mood is brought down to a depressing level when Norman Desmond is introduced. Singing an emotional lullaby called "Surrender" to her dead chimp, we're immediately struck by her forceful personality and deeply moved by her vulnerability. "Surrender" is almost immediately followed by the epic "With One Look" where Lupone shows off her big voice.
Another musical highlight is the simple but intensely moving "New Ways To Dream". The song features gorgeous orchestrations and another heart-felt performance by Lupone.
There are still huge debates as to who is better, Patti Lupone or Glen Close (the U.S Norma Desmond). Dramatically speaking, I like both women because they both give strong, solid performances but vocally, I prefer Lupone. Her voice has changed a bit since she originated the role of Eva Peron in the U.S production of EVITA back in 1979 but it is still quite strong and it's still able to achieve moments of great beauty.
Glen Close's voice is an acquired taste. Her tone is rather harsh and unconventional. It's all a matter of opinion.
Kevin Anderson is also given a few moments to shine. The memorable title tune sung by Joe opens the second act and the lovely duet between Joe and Betty Schaeffer, "Too Much In Love To Care" is another gem.
Like Webber's previous works, the orchestrations in SUNSET BLVD are lush and if you're one of his many fans, they're extremely pleasing to the ear. Although SUNSET BLVD is not my personal favourite Webber score (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and EVITA take the crown) it's still a compelling and well-executed piece. Combining a classic character with some stylish and harmonious songs, this morality tale set to music should not disappoint.
Highly recommended.
NOTE:
This 1993 version is not the complete recording of the stage play. Some changes to the score and book were made when the musical transferred to the U.S in 1994. If you would like a more complete and updated edition, then I recommend getting the American Premiere Recording with Glen Close. However, keep in mind that there are differences in the way Close and Lupone sing and act their parts. Like I mentioned earlier, I prefer Lupone's voice and interpretation.
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~ Michael Ball
~ George Hearn
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DVD ~ William Holden
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by Patti LuPone 
