625 posts
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Post by chernjam on Oct 17, 2024 0:14:58 GMT
This was some analysis from Playbill that I thought you'd find interesting about this weeks grosses:
Sunset Boulevard is also continuing its solid box-office performance, handily making The $1 Million Club for the second straight week even while not completely selling out the large St. James Theatre. Last week was its highest-grossing week yet at $1.3 million, with an average ticket price of $122. With opening night set for this weekend, we may see its numbers dip the next week or two as the production comps in members of the press, but if its current performance can translate to the full run, we may have another big hit on our hands.
What remains to be seen is if either production will make enough to make the much venerated top five—Romeo and Juliet ranked 14th overall and Sunset 9th. Weekly running costs differ from production to production, so being at the top of the list isn't necessarily required to make a production a big hit, but with both still in previews, we could well see rising ticket prices drive those overall grosses yet higher in the weeks to come if audience enthusiasm remains as high as it is now.
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Post by underratedvocalist on Oct 17, 2024 15:50:19 GMT
I can't wait to watch this again.
Also, just to give y'all some more food for thought about this production and how it literally also parallels Nicole's own career trajectory:
I have been a fan of Nicole's for more than 15 years now. I've always seen way past her 'Pussycat Dolls' box. And any genuine Nicole fan can attest that we've BEEN known of what Nicole is capable. The caliber of her talent is astronomical.
Yet, Hollywood/The Industry reduced her to a sexy pop star and they NEVER allowed her to break out of that image in the US. She managed to do that in the UK, where she is truly appreciated and celebrated for the incredible vocalist and artist that she is. But the Industry in the US has never given her a platform to showcase her potential and what she's truly capable of.
For years now, she's been the laughing stock of gay pop music fans due to the multiple failures to launch a successful solo pop career following her stint with the Pussycat Dolls. Americans have literally no idea how fantastic she is, especially in Musical Theatre.
So, Nicole hit it big time with The Pussycat Dolls, even though she was put in a 'box' but after that and for well over a decade, she was shunned out. They reduced her to a ****ing TV personality (granted, some where also Nicole's choices, but those were the only offers she would get). Imaging having that much talent, so much to give, and for over a decade, the only gig you can get is judging or appearing on some Reality show or small TV gigs. This is why she's literally pouring her heart and soul every day with this performance. Norma's story IS her story - with some minor adjustments.
And this reimagination is doing exactly that. It's showing you Nicole is ALL OF HER GLORY. How she can sing, how she can dance, show she can act, her physicality, her mental and physical strength, her beauty and sexiness but also her vulnerability. This show and especially Jaime managed to utilize Nicole's FULL potential and THEN SOME. Nicole is literally showing the industry how wrong they were to count her out. At 46, she's literally IN HER PRIME. She's never sounded better, she's moving like she's in her 20s while also looking incredible.
Also, she has been through tough situations within the industry, things I'm sure she will never talk about because she's not a victim. But trust and believe, she's channeled all of that in this performance and it's why it will go down as one of the greatest performance in Musical Theatre history.
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313 posts
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Post by jm25 on Oct 17, 2024 23:29:14 GMT
I can't wait to watch this again. Also, just to give y'all some more food for thought about this production and how it literally also parallels Nicole's own career trajectory: I have been a fan of Nicole's for more than 15 years now. I've always seen way past her 'Pussycat Dolls' box. And any genuine Nicole fan can attest that we've BEEN known of what Nicole is capable. The caliber of her talent is astronomical. Yet, Hollywood/The Industry reduced her to a sexy pop star and they NEVER allowed her to break out of that image in the US. She managed to do that in the UK, where she is truly appreciated and celebrated for the incredible vocalist and artist that she is. But the Industry in the US has never given her a platform to showcase her potential and what she's truly capable of. For years now, she's been the laughing stock of gay pop music fans due to the multiple failures to launch a successful solo pop career following her stint with the Pussycat Dolls. Americans have literally no idea how fantastic she is, especially in Musical Theatre. So, Nicole hit it big time with The Pussycat Dolls, even though she was put in a 'box' but after that and for well over a decade, she was shunned out. They reduced her to a ****ing TV personality (granted, some where also Nicole's choices, but those were the only offers she would get). Imaging having that much talent, so much to give, and for over a decade, the only gig you can get is judging or appearing on some Reality show or small TV gigs. This is why she's literally pouring her heart and soul every day with this performance. Norma's story IS her story - with some minor adjustments. And this reimagination is doing exactly that. It's showing you Nicole is ALL OF HER GLORY. How she can sing, how she can dance, show she can act, her physicality, her mental and physical strength, her beauty and sexiness but also her vulnerability. This show and especially Jaime managed to utilize Nicole's FULL potential and THEN SOME. Nicole is literally showing the industry how wrong they were to count her out. At 46, she's literally IN HER PRIME. She's never sounded better, she's moving like she's in her 20s while also looking incredible. Also, she has been through tough situations within the industry, things I'm sure she will never talk about because she's not a victim. But trust and believe, she's channeled all of that in this performance and it's why it will go down as one of the greatest performance in Musical Theatre history. I saw her in an Architectural Digest house tour on YouTube a few years ago, long before Sunset, in which she briefly showed some of the awards she'd won throughout her career. I remember being surprised at how quickly she glossed over all her accolades from her PCD years and spoke instead about how proud she was to have been in Cats and to have been nominated for an Olivier. She's a theatre girl at heart and this opportunity is clearly a dream come true for her. It's hard to root against that - I'm glad she's finally getting to do what she loves. |
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Post by magnificentdonkey on Oct 18, 2024 3:32:11 GMT
...I remember being surprised at how quickly she glossed over all her accolades from her PCD years and spoke instead about how proud she was to have been in Cats and to have been nominated for an Olivier. She's a theatre girl at heart and this opportunity is clearly a dream come true for her. It's hard to root against that - I'm glad she's finally getting to do what she loves. Please let's also not forget her fabulous performance of DCFMA she did back in 2013, more than ten years ago! I remember being totally blown away by it as if it were yesterday: |
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Post by alece10 on Oct 18, 2024 6:21:11 GMT
...I remember being surprised at how quickly she glossed over all her accolades from her PCD years and spoke instead about how proud she was to have been in Cats and to have been nominated for an Olivier. She's a theatre girl at heart and this opportunity is clearly a dream come true for her. It's hard to root against that - I'm glad she's finally getting to do what she loves. Please let's also not forget her fabulous performance of DCFMA she did back in 2013, more than ten years ago! I remember being totally blown away by it as if it were yesterday: I was in the audience for that programme and it was the first time I had see her live, it was a marvelous performance. It was recorded at the Fountain TV studios in Wembley which is now the Troubadour theatre (current home of Starlight Express). They made us stand outside in pouring rain for about 2 hours and it was freezing cold. By the time we got inside we were all soaked and it was also really cold inside the studio. However it was still a great night and worth the wait. |
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Post by magnificentdonkey on Oct 19, 2024 6:33:05 GMT
Breathtaking. Just listening to it made me tear up. Can't imagine what it must feel like to witness this in person.
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Post by A.Ham on Oct 19, 2024 7:32:09 GMT
Wow! She really does sound fantastic. Only a week now until we’ll get our hands on the London cast recording too, hurrah.
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1,432 posts
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Post by BVM on Oct 19, 2024 8:16:05 GMT
Wow! She really does sound fantastic. Only a week now until we’ll get our hands on the London cast recording too, hurrah. I know I am prone to gay hyperbole but she literally has changed musical theatre - that voice is just INSANE. A very different style but this is the mega musical experience of the 20's! |
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Oct 19, 2024 13:59:10 GMT
Quite nice interview with Jamie t.co/IvUn2OO5yYSome things he’s been saying since London, like dreaming with Nicole playing Norma. But for those interested, its a good read! |
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Post by BVM on Oct 19, 2024 14:37:48 GMT
Quite nice interview with Jamie t.co/IvUn2OO5yYSome things he’s been saying since London, like dreaming with Nicole playing Norma. But for those interested, its a good read! Great read, thanks. He truly is a visionary IMHO. And honestly could not agree more on his comments on the importance of singers in musicals being able to sing the score - very much the hill I will die on! |
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1,432 posts
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Post by BVM on Oct 19, 2024 16:27:57 GMT
Running costs are around $950,000 According to what source if you don’t mind me asking?! Also is this a static figure or does it take into account set up costs and go down as the run progresses?! |
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42ndBlvd
Swing
I'll be back where I was born to be
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Post by 42ndBlvd on Oct 19, 2024 16:30:23 GMT
Running costs are around $950,000 According to what source if you don’t mind me asking?! Also is this a static figure or does it take into account set up costs and go down as the run progresses?! From a friend. Nicole is taking a decent amount. And all that security and technical staff ups the running costs significantly. Even with such high costs, Sunset still seems to be the show most likely to recoup right now. |
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42ndBlvd
Swing
I'll be back where I was born to be
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Post by 42ndBlvd on Oct 19, 2024 16:34:34 GMT
According to what source if you don’t mind me asking?! Also is this a static figure or does it take into account set up costs and go down as the run progresses?! From a friend. Nicole is taking a decent amount. And all that security and technical staff ups the running costs significantly. Even with such high costs, Sunset still seems to be the show most likely to recoup right now. I forgot to mention but I assume they have to get permission from the city to film the outside portion and cross an active road 8 times a week. Permits and all. Even if they don’t recoup, Sunset should manage to avoid an embarrassing closing which is all that Andrew can hope for. |
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Post by blamerobots on Oct 19, 2024 16:37:01 GMT
I bet like 20% is permits knowing that NYC is so pricey for filming that they'll go inland and pretend it's NYC for films, or recreate it with CGI
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Post by BVM on Oct 19, 2024 16:47:09 GMT
I was gonna say. Dunno about the other producers but ALW truly won’t care if this actually makes money or not. Decent sales, a decent (for Broadway) length run and (ideally) good reviews is all I imagine he cares about.
We’re forever famously told the original NYC run didn’t make any money despite the biggest advance known to man. But I don’t think anyone would try and claim it wasn’t a “hit.”
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Post by chernjam on Oct 19, 2024 18:52:50 GMT
I was gonna say. Dunno about the other producers but ALW truly won’t care if this actually makes money or not. Decent sales, a decent (for Broadway) length run and (ideally) good reviews is all I imagine he cares about. We’re forever famously told the original NYC run didn’t make any money despite the biggest advance known to man. But I don’t think anyone would try and claim it wasn’t a “hit.” The original it was really incompetence on the part of RUG that it didn't fully recoup (I believe the NY Times reported at the closing, which curiously was on the front page of the paper, that they got about 85% recouped and hoped that merchandise and other venues would help them to close the gap, which not sure if it ever did) 950 k a week is crazy high, but not shocking for all the reasons 42ndBlvd laid out... which means they really hope that by clearing about 1.4 million a week for 40 weeks they could recoup. Very possible - likely? I hope so... As for ALW in this, he's not really running lead on any of it - which is for the best. ATG and Lloyd Harrison seem to be on top of this, along with Jamie Lloyd. Which I'm really happy for. At this stage in his life he really should be able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labors. And seeing one of his most beautiful and underappreciated scores (mostly due to all the off-stage drama) being so well-received has got to be a tremendous boost for him. I'm excited for tomorrow night! |
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Post by chernjam on Oct 19, 2024 19:09:44 GMT
Speaking of tomorrow night... here's a "new way to dream" - Patti LuPone attending the opening with Glenn Close and Betty Buckley?
Could you imagine?
What a classy way to bring things to full-closure and the amount of good-will that could bring at a time when the world could certainly use some examples of forgiveness?
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Post by minion on Oct 20, 2024 18:55:18 GMT
According to what source if you don’t mind me asking?! Also is this a static figure or does it take into account set up costs and go down as the run progresses?! From a friend. Nicole is taking a decent amount. And all that security and technical staff ups the running costs significantly. Even with such high costs, Sunset still seems to be the show most likely to recoup right now. From a 'friend'. As has been a repeated pattern with this poster, they just regurgitate what they hear from that shouty vile person on Tiktok. |
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42ndBlvd
Swing
I'll be back where I was born to be
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Post by 42ndBlvd on Oct 20, 2024 19:36:37 GMT
From a friend. Nicole is taking a decent amount. And all that security and technical staff ups the running costs significantly. Even with such high costs, Sunset still seems to be the show most likely to recoup right now. From a 'friend'. As has been a repeated pattern with this poster, they just regurgitate what they hear from that shouty vile person on Tiktok. If your referring to Sweaty Oracle, that is not my source lol. A lot of things he says turns out to be true and some don't. Rumours are rumours and producers sometimes change plans at the last moment. |
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Post by ceebee on Oct 20, 2024 21:56:04 GMT
Anybody who got the investor pack can see the detailed breakdown of costs for this show on a spreadsheet. It's not exactly a secret. (And no, I'm not sharing mine.)
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Post by iamluisfelipe on Oct 21, 2024 2:25:27 GMT
Some mixed reviews. But most of them are pretty positive
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Post by chernjam on Oct 21, 2024 2:36:31 GMT
BROADWAY REVIEWS INCOMING: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER : www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/sunset-blvd-broadway-review-nicole-scherzinger-andrew-lloyd-webber-jamie-lloyd-1236038232/I’ll confess I’ve always thought of Sunset Boulevard as a second-rate musical elevated by a couple of great songs and by the glorious scenery-chomping opportunities it affords its leading ladies. This is the first time I’ve really considered it as a searing tragedy with something to say to contemporary audiences. Its reflections on the cruelty of aging and obsolescence, the addictive allure of fame, the currency of youth and beauty and the sad refuge of madness have never carried such sting.Lloyd Webber’s lush score is well-served by a cast of uniformly strong singers, and the book by Don Black and Christopher Hampton captures the ghoulish darkness of the movie. But this production belongs to the director and his star.DEADLINE: deadline.com/2024/10/sunset-blvd-broadway-review-1236120226/
All that madness in Gloria Swanson’s eyes at the end of Billy Wilder’s 1950 masterpiece Sunset Boulevard is amplified to breathtaking lengths in Jamie Lloyd‘s commanding and gorgeous renovation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1993 musical Sunset Blvd. With a career-expanding performance that redefines the one-time Dancing With The Stars competitor Nicole Scherzinger as thoroughly as Lloyd’s staging does Lloyd Webber’s musical, the revival opening tonight at Broadway‘s St. James Theatre is a stunner, stark always, funny sometimes and ultimately terrifying... The current revival, if it does nothing else, should put the show’s mixed reputation to rest. With its silent movie-style black & white color scheme and heavy-shadowed expressionistic sculpting, Sunset Blvd. is quite unlike anything else on Broadway today, fierce and ferocious.
VARIETY: variety.com/2024/legit/reviews/sunset-boulevard-review-nicole-scherzinger-broadway-1236181291/ ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Review: Nicole Scherzinger Astonishes in Jamie Lloyd’s Remarkable Broadway Staging of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical (**** This is the first time, including last years review of this production in London - that I can recall Variety EVER raving about SB ) AM NEW YORK: www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway/sunset-boulevard-revival-nicole-scherzinger-review/USA TODAY www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/10/20/sunset-boulevard-broadway-review/75554784007/Sunset Boulevard' review: Nicole Scherzinger is transcendent in bold new revival - Unfortunately these are paywalled and I can't seem to bypass them (yet!) NY TIMES: www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/theater/sunset-boulevard-review.htmlNY DAILY NEWS: www.nydailynews.com/2024/10/20/broadway-review-nicole-scherzinger-sizzles-in-red-hot-revival-of-sunset-boulevard/ |
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Post by chernjam on Oct 21, 2024 2:42:43 GMT
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Post by Fleance on Oct 21, 2024 2:47:25 GMT
Very meh review by Jesse Green in The New York Times:
Here's a quote. Earlier in the review, he criticizes Nicole for giving a performance instead of a characterization.
"But the result is that you are aware at all times, as if this were Brecht, of the performance as a performance, not as a characterization. (Still, in London, Scherzinger won praise and an Olivier.) The production’s many meta Easter eggs — the Pussycat Dolls and Lloyd Webber himself are referenced — do the same thing, taking some of the gas out of a gassy show but in the process pandering to the audience. When Scherzinger offers coy imitations of various contemporary vocal styles, her Norma becomes a woman who is in on the game, the last thing that oblivious creature could be."
His review concludes:
"But I can’t help feeling that Lloyd’s talent and that of his designers, let alone Scherzinger’s, would be better lavished on better material. Making “Sunset Boulevard” a hit again — the original Broadway production ran two-and-a-half years, grossing more than $100 million — is not so much an achievement as a stunt, like reanimating that dead chimpanzee. (Yes, it happens.) The revival is not, like “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” this summer, a completely new way of looking at a Lloyd Webber musical; it’s a completely new way of not looking at one. The waste! It makes me almost sad enough to weep a 10-foot glycerin tear."
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