PATTI LUPONE: Everything's As If We Never Said Goodbye, Incredible!

From the first full performance of Sunset Boulevard
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Don Black, Christopher Hampton
Musical Director David Caddick, Directed by Andrew MacBean
SYDMONTON FESTIVAL, Summer 1992

[@johnwhiting5747]

Patti is an actress who can hit every note and out sing, Glenn is an actress that can sell a song without singing perfectly. Both are equally connected to Norma in two completely different methodologies.

[@ryan010able]

Patti does a good job vocally, Glen sells it to you, and her voice I think is good enough. Betty Buckleys version gives me goosebumps however.

[@jamitch3]

@@ryan010able I got to see Betty Bucky in Sunset Boulevard in London back I the early 90’s. It was fabulous.

[@JP-zx7pn]

I wish I could have seen Patti perform the role, I had no desire to see Glenn Close. I was lucky enough to see it with Elaine Paige and the travelling revial production with Petula Clark. Both were great in it,, even though Petula was 70

[@chrisjacobs7417]

​@@JP-zx7pn petula was horrendous. Her American accent was laughable, she lacked any subtlety, however her final speech was noteworthy. Aside from that you would have been better off catching one of her understudies. Susan Emmerson outshined her in every aspect during the tour

[@oldbonesNJ]

Well put.

[@jimmcfall3678]

There's a fragile quality in this performance that we don't often get to see from Patti and it's an absolute masterpiece.

[@eileencoleman6857]

Agree with you Jim.

[@Usercantwelve]

Bc she was getting Fired !! BY ALW..When it happened she wre credit her dressing room.. She's gotten bitchy with age.. GREAT IN EVITA ))

[@mtnyc89]

"Each Norma brought something different to the role" Exactly. Patti's is vulnerable and wanting, Glenn's is confident and needy.

[@KillDevon]

Glenn's version is so pushed. Patti was born to play Norma.

[@michaelstrelosmith]

@@KillDevon EXACTLY! What people do not seem to understand...Norma Desmond was a character that is only supposed to be around 50 years of age. The near death characterization of Glenn Close.

[@harrypatrick9420]

Oh who cares? Obsessing over this like it's high art or something.

[@michaelstrelosmith]

It’s art that broadens our collective culture. The conversation here is no different then people debating the merits of sports teams. The Super Bowl for example...People seem to get excited about it as if it actually matters… When it really doesn’t

[@lizafan1]

⭐️PETULA CLARK was a comic Norma ⭐️ BETTY BUCKLEY was crazy ⭐️ STEFANIE POWERS was shy ⭐️FLoRENCE LACEY was elegant ⭐️ ALICE RIPLEY was very tender ⭐️ELAINE PAIGE was the Best Norma I saw one other Norma in Glasgow her name was Faith ❓she was ok scaled down set

[@MrTheatreworks]

This was from the workshop. The show hadn't been "decided" upon yet, nor the director. It was between Hal Prince and Trevor Nunn.. I directed this version, then continued as Trevor's associate.

[@alexandredias3851]

Hello Andrew! Amazing job! Patti Lupone was a great choice! Impossible to find the the finale of your version here on KZbin....

[@jaws-ofoz3627]

Do you have a video of Glenn Close.

[@MrTheatreworks]

@@jaws-ofoz3627Somewhere, on a hard drive, a rehearsal with her in LA.. not sure where!

[@jaws-ofoz3627]

@@MrTheatreworks Love to see it

[@jaws-ofoz3627]

After seeing the 2nd US Tour and the Revival My joke is "Sunset Blvd is still big its the productions that got small"...

[@iamfrank5171]

There's a real gentleness and vulnerability here that I haven't seen Patti exude before. I would like to have seen her perform this role, like this. Also, love the moment with Cecil. B at the end.

[@GRHCU]

Such a professional.... Her voice is haunting as she delivers word after word of this classic song...

[@peteralfano4278]

chills when the spot hits her and the music hits the crescendo and Patti...well, and Patti..

[@peterrocchio6539]

We saw her do this in London with Princess Di and other celebrities in the audience. Patti Lupone was magnificent-what a beautiful performance in every way.

[@philipmc8246]

I cannot thank you enough for posting this rare footage of Ms. Lupone, She was and is the finest Norma Desmond EVER. The fragility of her craft and power of her voice in this Sydmonton concert. I was fortunate to see her 3 times at the Adelphi, and her presence was utterly spellbinding from the moment she appeared on the stairs the last push down stage in that terrible whispy grey wig. THE VOICE THE ACTRESS THE WOMAN Patti Lupone.

[@MrTheatreworks]

Thanks Philp!

[@jonmakay1537]

fragile? i can't see it,... but still...

[@nanettecostanza537]

AMEN! 👏

[@glenndrake6172]

Patti Lupone!! Her real first, middle and last names are:Talented, more Talented and Most Talented. Always terrific.

[@hefinrosser8685]

I saw the remarkable miss lupone in her last performance in sunset!! It was a masterclass in acting an vocals!! I understand that people have their favourites and dislikes. I've seen sunet 5 times with different actresses and I confess none of them have come close to miss lupone. None have been so electrifying, so heartbreaking. Yes there are others who have been good and some not so good. But this is about celebrating the stage sensation that is Patti Lupone xxxx all my love to my fellow sunset lovers xxx

[@ryan010able]

she rushes the hell out of this song, I dont get any emotion from.it whatsoever. You can't deny she has a good vocal range but im underwhelmed. Glenn's version gives so much more

[@hefinrosser8685]

@@ryan010able I agree with you, but this was the first workshop. I always remembering listening to the original cast recording and thinking the same. However! After seeing miss lupone she was incredible! And this was in 1994, we had no social media or any knowledge of what was going on x

[@hefinrosser8685]

Ryan, I like your opinions, respectful and open to discussion. Give me a shout to discuss theatre further x

[@jaygatz4335]

@@ryan010able Rushes the hell out of it? When?

[@ryan010able]

@@jaygatz4335 it sounds rushed. she doesn't take her time at all

[@carleu]

Mrs. Lupone, is a real Diva, Talented, Beautiful and Blessed.

[@allisonroberts1379]

If I could sing like her just one day, that would be a taste of Heaven to me! 💞

[@MrReggieLew]

Forgive me, but this is the finest performance I have ever seen her do. The vocal control, the vulnerability, the pathos, it's all there in this one magnificent performance.

[@isitfunthere1]

Not gonna touch the Patti v Glenn debate but all I can say is I’m glad they eventually shifted (much of) the score down a few steps. Regardless of who’s singing Norma, I personally think something gets lost in the higher notes- it becomes more about musicality and less about the performance. But that’s just me.

[@Hartdance]

Incredible, indeed..a fantastic voice with acting that is true ...she's amazing!!

[@Ehntu]

She is showing such a beautiful vulnerability I haven't seen from Patti before. Great great GREAT performance.

[@wingsong100]

The first time I saw Lupone perform live I was 9 years old and the show was Evita. I have never been the same since. Lol. I remember at the beginning of the second act when she exists onto the balcony, the audience didn’t dare to breathe. From that evening forward it was hardcore love for the Broadway Musical and my appreciation and admiration for this incomparable artist. I have seen her perform many other times since then. As late as Company in Spring of 2022. She still steals every show. Till now nothing else exists when she is on stage. I wish her another 50 great years. I hope she’s doing it till she’s 100.

[@KatienMac]

I love Patti Lupone she is truly incredible!

[@yelanates]

Glenn Close IS Norma Desmond for me, but Patti is and will always be the OG. I *love* the fragility she brings to this number.

[@williamgardiner2010]

This is a very early 'workshop' version, a long time before the West End production had been rehearsed and staged at the Adelphi.

[@wincubs1]

Agree....Good but Glenn is and will be forever MY #1 Norma Desmond!!

[@JP-zx7pn]

Patti originated the role until Weber screwed her over. Weber's loss, sondheim's gain. I never saw Glenn Close in it but heard she was really good. Elaine Paige was great. I saw the touring revival in 2000 with Petula Clark who was really good also, she was just too old to be playing the role of a fifty year old

[@irenafacelli2882]

LOVE Patti Lupone in Sunset Boulevard. The cast recording with her is my ultimate favorite theatre album. I Like Glenn Close too....but Andrew Lloyd Weber really dissed Patti after she played Norma Desmond in London. She deserved every penny of that million dollar settlement!!

[@SymphonyBrahms]

This is a brilliant performance of the song.

[@rickvannoy6379]

Patti didn't play the end of the musical from the beginning. She let the madness unfold throughout.

[@Thekatedelaney]

Rick VanNoy Interesting. Yes Glenn already looks crazy by this point. Not that I don’t like them both.

[@publiusovidius7386]

Just like Swanson in the original. Eccentric throughout but not crazy until the end. I share your criticism of Close's interpretation.

[@edwardsmusicsongsmusiclyri7578]

Excellent point. Of course, sometimes the madness IS there from the start. My voice teacher once said this about a Schubert song cycle: the protagonist commits suicide at the end, but he's not right from the outset.

[@popland1977]

But, the madness had already set in by now. Thinking a washed up actress with a terrible script was really being welcomed backed in, that's the madness

[@richenuff01]

There's nothing better than hearing a full orchestra with strings and horns inside a theatre that's over a hundred and fifty years old like the ones in Philadelphia.

[@johnboys4697]

i agree!

[@charliepickles8183]

Glenn is amazing, but there’s something about this performance that gives me chills.

[@edwardsmusicsongsmusiclyri7578]

Um, humanity?

[@erossinema8797]

Glenn's an actress, not a singer. Same for the late Carol Channing, but somehow it worked for her

[@leep5113]

A mesmerizing performance!

[@josephmarzullo4416]

This is incredible. Thank you for posting.

[@lavoxii]

As if we never said goodbye Sunset Boulevard I don't know why I'm frightened I know my way around here The cardboard trees, the painted seas, the sound here Yes, a world to rediscover But I'm not in any hurry And I need a moment The whispered conversations In overcrowded hallways The atmosphere is thrilling here as always Feel the early morning madness Feel the magic in the making Why, everything's as if we never said goodbye I've spent so many mornings just trying to resist you I'm trembling now, you can't know how I've missed you Missed the fairytale adventure In this ever-spinning playground We were young together I'm coming out of makeup The light's already burning Not long until the cameras will start turning And the early morning madness And the magic in the making Yes, everything's as if we never said goodbye I don't want to be alone That's all in the past This world's waited long enough I've come home at last! And this time will be bigger And brighter than we knew it So watch me fly, we all know I can do it Could I stop my hands from shaking? Has there ever been a moment With so much to live for? The whispered conversations In overcrowded hallways So much to say, not just today but always We'll have early morning madness We'll have magic in the making Yes, everything's as if, we never said goodbye Yes, everything's as if, we never said goodbye We taught the world new ways to dream

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

My favorite rendition is BARBRA'S in 1993 because..she Lived it. The Legendary STREISAND was still Great, BUT vocally a little past her prime & she was returning to Live performing. Her nerves! Her artistic arc in the song was REAL..and that's Why Andrew Loyd Webber gave it to her to record. PATTI muscled the song with that vibrato battering ram AND Glen Close "acted" it.

[@Anony270]

Agree❤❤❤

[@CherylGormanAuthor]

Great set of pipes!!!

[@stevel2332]

Magic. Thank you, bless you for posting this.

[@nicolasocampo9953]

Patti you are AWESOME!

[@petermaz701]

Excellent and genuine performance!

[@fredericdr4214]

Just marvelous!

[@paultrevorbale2440]

My favourite of all songs Lloyd Webber has written.

[@jbourbonnais]

Wonderful!!

[@rustinrogers]

I adore her!

[@rafaelamarillas2625]

Wonderful!

[@allancuseo7431]

Love the song. Love Patti

[@johnw.davison1561]

Such a lovely interpretation -- vocally and orchestrally. Thanks so much,

[@vroszii4200]

This brings tears into my eyes

[@johnnymia1563]

1 icon I will cherish my life Thank You Very Much Patti for gracing our theater lives and giving us dreams of imitating your singing in many home- mirrors!

[@larrycarlin809]

I ❤️ LOVE Patti Lupone! Saw her years ago on Broadway. FANTASTIC!

[@nicoladawn]

Stunning! My favourite Norma.

[@JamboLinnman]

Fantastic! I was lucky enough to see both Patti Lupone and Elaine Page at the Adelphi in the West End. Both were phenomenal.

[@Cc-is3is]

this is so beautiful she is amazing and the original love her so much

[@superminama]

Fabulosa!!!!

[@larscain3263]

I saw her last performance in London. She was wonderful

[@EllenMartinNYC]

Magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gailbrault9251]

Bravo!

[@jamessedgwick2809]

This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing! I would love to see this entire production.

[@helenaraven5784]

You can

[@jamessedgwick2809]

@@helenaraven5784 Cool. Where?

[@helenaraven5784]

@@jamessedgwick2809 it's on Tumblr

[@jamessedgwick2809]

@@helenaraven5784 Do you have a link?

[@matthewhagner7803]

This lady is magic

[@cedriceccentric]

My very first musical was Sunset Boulevard with Patti Lupone at the Adelphi in (I think 1993). And began my love for musical theatre. Sunset Boulevard is IMHO Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musical.

[@tracydarceyvelvick]

The best! No one can compare to Patti Lupone with this performance, chills is right. If a performance gives you chills it’s the best! Love this!

[@Lady_Barbara]

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!

[@sophieh-m9655]

My queen

[@mmjhcb]

I saw her in London. I remember the fantastic sets.

[@jasongould407]

I saw Sunset twice in a concert type setting then a full production in community theatre. Such a stunning show. Each Norma has her own stamp on the songs. Patti is just incredible. Judi Conelli and Michelle Lansdown were marvellous Normas.

[@ers586]

Bravo.

[@michaeldreher3853]

absolute genius

[@williamgardiner2010]

I saw her in the original West End production at the Adelphi, both on Press Night and many months later into the run when she had months to dig deeper into the part. Ms LuPone played it quite differently to Glenn Close. Where as Close was a desperately sad Norma Desmond, hurt and unhappy, Patti LuPone's was closer to Gloria Swanson's portrayal - desperate and quite bonkers. Certainly someone with mental health issues. So she was less 'sympathetic' than Ms Close but truly unforgettable . Her effective dismal after completing a year's run in London - she was replaced by Glenn Close on Broadway after the American backers were over the moon over the reviews for Closes's performance in Los Angeles and wanted Glenn Close - took a very long time to get over. It hurt her for many years.

[@germanquintero10121946]

MAGNIFICA

[@xiomanaxoxoxo3212]

Patti is everything. Glenn killed it too. amazing women.

[@PaulHorneLA]

I’m a Patti Superfan, but Betty Buckley chews up this song and spits it out. She’s also a more believable Norma - but I do love everything Patti does.

[@edwardvogel9094]

The One and Only.

[@jrimmer4987]

Brilliant singing and acting

[@deannguyen5457]

Patti brings something to this role for me that other Normas don’t... you can really feel the character’s love for the art, how it defines her, and it makes it so much more palpable how she’s unable to reconcile herself with being left behind.

[@kguac9028]

Patti was so young here she's looked the same for 30 years

[@johnathansumner5988]

She basically still looks the same now lol

[@leomack4432]

I want to say to all comes down to who you saw first. I had the pleasure of seeing Patti in London three days before her final performance and she was amazing. Not only did she sing With One Look in a higher key than Ms. Close but her final scene was unbelievable! The audience went wild! After this I could never listen to Glen Close sing this role, she’s just not that good a singer. I did manage to see Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige as well. Listen to how Patti sings through those long notes and never cuts them short. Brava Diva!

[@jeffreyrepace785]

Probably not fair to compare Glenn to Patti, Betty or Elaine. They ARE established musical theater superstars

[@williamgardiner2010]

Petula Clark was also exceptionally good in the London production.

[@leomack4432]

@@williamgardiner2010 I'm sorry I missed that. I bet it was wonderful.

[@michaelrunkle7653]

Love her- second to none.

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

Brava Diva!!! 😎😎😎

[@idraote]

It's nothing short of miraculous how she manages to sound frail and vulnerable with a nearly allmighty voice.

[@lauram5905]

This early setting, even though it's a prototype, is magical. Probably the closest we'll ever get to a 1:1 to the original film. The moment the spotlight hit, and all the eyes turned to Patti, I had chills, you could almost feel the magic as if Gloria Swanson herself had stepped straight out of 1950. I'll reserve all my opinions on the other productions and performers, this was just absolutely lovely on its own merits.

[@wasuwithmanotcm]

great

[@sophiehanssel2017]

I really wish I could see this show

[@alexfulmer3259]

a masterclass in dynamic vocal pacing

[@johnburns5257]

I would love to hear her perform this now when she seems more relaxed.

[@dorydaryl]

She should have been given LA. I remember all the furore about her being 'replaced' by Glenn Close and, having seen Patti twice in the West End original, she was untouchable. I was devastated for her. Not one of ALWs fairest or better decisions, IMHO. I have nothing against Close but Patti WAS- IS Norma.

[@alvinmedina7121]

brillant

[@mahendrariantoorchestra6921]

The softness at the last verse gave me chills. Glenn close could never

[@GRHCU]

Silky smooth and vibrant citrus.....................

[@romcallis]

I think every actress has a Norma Desmond stage in their careers

[@MrTheatreworks]

thank you!

[@grai]

*we taught the world new ways to dream* 💔

[@shells500tutubo]

I saw Glenn Close live in Sunset Blvd, and while I enjoyed it I remembered none of the songs. I bought the CD set (it was the 1990s I think) with Patti Lupone, and started singing all of them. Nothing replaces a good singer, not even fantastic acting, which Lupone also did.

[@andres81891]

Yellow diamond is such a queen

[@yelanates]

Does Patti voice a Steven Universe character? If so, that’s cool!

[@andres81891]

@@yelanates yes she does and its yellow Diamond

[@seantodd8875]

Lupone is one of the greatest interpreters of Lloyd-Webber's music. All I have to say is Evita. I think she would be well cast for Rose in Aspects of Love.

[@Macrogue65]

She is still, for me, the only "Norma".

[@maloucavallaro2698]

Yes, remember that we've suffered.!

[@rl839]

Saw her in this show Orlando at the Bob Carr. Much more elaborate sets, costumes. I was front row and a friend TN the mezzanine said you could hear the beads drag down the staircase way up there. This was a good show that night!

[@apolloadamos8771]

No, you didn’t. You saw Petula Clark in that awful cut-rate traveling version that looked like a Carol Burnett sketch.

[@Eric-fn7hb]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@lexicapitali4383]

Shes fucking incredible wow

[@chuckpitchford3216]

This is done in a small theater on ALW’s estate!!

[@panchish]

was patti already in her 50s at this point? she looks 30!

[@JacobWinglemire32]

in 1992 patti was 43

[@MadameCorgi]

@@JacobWinglemire32 honestly, she looks about 40 in this

[@JacobWinglemire32]

@@MadameCorgi exactly, she looks great in this video. How are people saying shes in her 50s. Also how thicc are her vocal cords.

[@AirglamGuru]

You have a strange idea of "30"...

[@jaquen1977]

@@AirglamGuru Exactly. Not meaning to be shady, but I was surprised to learn she was only 43.

[@sephmanatac8569]

Glen has soul in her singing.' Patti is just singing...

[@DeletedAccountxxx]

As a big fan of the film, and particularly Gloria Swanson's iconic performance, I have to say that vocally Lupone is sensational. Her phrasing is perfect, here stylings are engaging and wondrous; she shines so bright, I could listen to her all day. However, at 42 years old here, I feel that she just isn't quite mature or perhaps experienced enough to understand Norma, who is supposed to be a reclusive and forgotten silent era film star in her late 50's. She has the passion, the presence, the singing chops, but dramatically she needed to be more damaged, childlike, melodramatic for the role. Glenn Close, (only two years older than Lupome), although her singing isn't quite in the same league, her performance as Norma is both moving and deranged, with undercurrents of camp fragility, mirroring Swanson in the film, all the while taking the role to a place of utter intangible torment and comic tragedy. I believe Close really understood what a vulnerable and childlike person Norma was, and she portrays that brilliantly. Both performances are without a doubt equally great, but tonally and dramatically vastly different.

[@dohaperson1]

Close "isn't quite in the same league"...actually, in terms of singing, LuPone is Mt Everest and Close is a little pile of dirt some ants made when they dug in the ground. It's difficult to compare this very early, unfinished version of Sunset with almost no rehearsal to Close's performances which were after fully rehearsing and appearing on stage. In the long run, Close's performance will remain legendary but many of the other singers' versions of the songs will live on.

[@popland1977]

With that logic actors could never actually perform as anything other than themselves. The whole point of their job is to play a character

[@maps9957]

@@popland1977 Well, yes and no. Can you really imagine a brilliant actor of a certain age, say, Streep, play Juliet, to, say, Gene Hackman's Romeo? Being mature perhaps affords them further insight into these characters, but they will not be quite as convincing. I remember hearing this from Frederica von Stade (a mezzo-soprano) and forgive me for paraphrasing, the way one carries oneself, and the presence one gives off by the time one has reached a certain age, to the audience, to the other players, it's "ridiculous" (I think her usage) for one to carry on in ingenue roles with giant bows behind one's back after a certain age. And with your logic, wouldn't you say, white actors can effectively play other ethnicities (ie. Blackface), and appropriate other identities as well irrespective of, say, a hetero- cis- white actor may never really know the true depths of a trans- person, &c.

[@DeletedAccountxxx]

​@@popland1977 I don't think you quite got what i was trying to say. Perhaps I din't express my opinion clearly enough. It's not about actors playing themselves at all. It's about the actor's interpretation of the character, that place they go to, to become someone. A person who knows themselves and has no fear can presumably play anyone and go anywhere. Some great actors can do it. Other great actors cannot, and end up playing themselves, which we still love. Close is not Norma. Close is Close. But she embodies the spirit of Norma. Lupone, on the other hand is playing more Lupone, I see Lupone. I guess some actors find roles they were almost born to play, and others are not so lucky. Not every actor can be so brilliant or convincing in a certain role. The audiences also has a role to play, our projections, out expectations, but thats a whole other story.

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Why all this deference to Patti Lupone's supposed vocal superiority? To this listener her phrasing sounds clipped and mannered. Any second one expects her to segue into "Stand back, Buenos Aires!" (which I know merely from the TV commercial promoting "Evita" on New York TV back in the 70's). I've only seen Glenn Close on the two clips from the Andrew LLoyd Weber tribute concert posted here, but she is better. Her singing is better. Her diction is better. Admittedly, this looks like a rehearsal of sorts, and Glenn Close had lots more time to hone her performance, but what you people seem to be arguing about has nothing to do with refining a performance. And I am reminded more of a schoolyard squabble over whose team is better , The Mets or the Yankees.. i have never really given 2 minutes thought to either woman. But from what I have just seen here on KZbin in the last few minutes I will say I found Glenn Close's voice beautiful and and her performance very moving, and I found LuPone's neither.

[@jamesfeeney3016]

Betty Buckley is my favorite Nora Desmond!

[@martykopulsky3624]

James ,ITS BECAUSE YOU HAVE FINE TASTE AND SHE IS BRILL!!

[@death2pc]

Nancy Pelosi is my least favorite....................

[@patricktschopp2775]

She is also my favourite in this role - saw her at least a dozen times in London. Patti was also brilliant and was amazed how much I like Elaine Page at Broadway

[@kristentheologus-KTechnogal]

And to think this was basically a full performance AUDITION! (as per her autobiography)

[@CPSmith-sc6db]

Boy, this version and maybe the 1995 clip of her doing "Meadowlark" from a live concert, NOBODY sings a song through, inhabits songs the way Patti at her peak does. The vocalizations are ownership, but beyond the voice it all comes from character, how she feels it and what she feels the character has to tell us. Patti has demurred from doing live musicals going ahead, a loss to all of us, but thank goodness for examples of her art like this!

[@thefonzkiss]

The last work ALW did that was worth bothering going to.

[@Tytytytyty1776]

school of rock was pretty cool

[@yelanates]

Whistle Down the Wind would like to have a talk with you.