Patti LuPone sings Sunset Boulevard in London for first time since 1994

Seth Rudetsky's and Patti LuPone's encore at the Leicester Square Theatre sent audiences into a frenzy Thursday night. When Seth asked the audience what they wanted to hear, there was a choruses of "Sunset Boulevard", "sing Norma" "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (with a few "Ladies Who Lunch" mixed in). Patti and Seth obliged with "With One Look", marking the second time this week that Ms. LuPone has sang the number since her final performance of Sunset Boulevard in London in 1994. The first time she sang the number since 1994 was the night before. Oh and she also sang "Ladies Who Lunch".
I did my best with low lighting
© 2013 Patti LuPone, Seth Rudetsky, Mark Cortale (Artist Manager & Producer), Make Way for the Champion Productions
Enjoy!

[@princepeterwolf]

No one can sing this score like Patti, she's the only one that makes it magical to me

[@johnboys4697]

Glenn Close can!

[@limitless4375]

@@johnboys4697 not like Patti

[@disneydanny2]

*RIGHT* ? I was *NOT* a fan of what they did to the ending for Glenn Close, it was *HORRIBLE*

[@Lizwindsor]

@@johnboys4697Glenn is amazing! As is Nicole Scherzinger!

[@rindenver1194]

@@LizwindsorScherzinger is entirely to young to play the role.

[@MarkiaNicole1]

Another thing don't you all agree that Patti's voice gets better and better with time?!? I love how emotionally connected she is! This is an example of true artistry

[@harpguy18]

It sounds so much better in the original key! And you can tell it was written for Patti, she just sounds amazing! Also love how she does the last phrase in ONE breath, no one else does it. Patti I love you!

[@Hartdance]

What an artist! She doesn't just sing a song she LIVES the song! There is no one like her...Thank You Patti !!

[@luxy8703]

I can only say , I adore her. I get chills every time she sings, and it’s a shame I am unlikely to ever get to hear her live. It doesn’t hurt that she often worked withSondheim who is also a childhood favourite, ever since my youth theatre days. I could only have dreamt at that level of talent though. I also loved how humble she always seems and that she appears to know the name of all the crews where she works too. I miss live theatre so. Much at the moment. Rewatching stuff like this helps!

[@confessionhorrorbaby]

I'm so amazed by how her voice seems to have only grown stronger over the years. By this point in most singers' careers, they're lucky to have a growl left. Patti is such a treasure.

[@johnboys4697]

Shes at that point now

[@fergusmurray1828]

@@johnboys4697no she’s not kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2PLqmaobt2djbcsi=MXnqfqKRenvl0Zwi

[@philipmc8246]

All these years later, Patti Lupone singing this brings a tear, not just from the impeccable rendition, but from the look on her face at the end, heart breaking for her and us ***** The original and the best.

[@waynebrasler]

I love that Patti, one of the greatest stars in American musical history, has remained herself, not some distant royal diva. As an actress, a singer, a remarkable force, she is the best.

[@MarkiaNicole1]

I am so inspired by this woman! She is such an impeccably talented person and for me as a 16 year old aspiring actress, seeing someone like Patti Lupone still working and still loving the work brings me joy and hope for whatever may lie ahead.

[@mackenzierichard4474]

This left me speechless. Absolutely beautiful.

[@ericnearing]

For someone so powerful and commanding, I love the crack into her humble, wound of a soul. She seems so shocked by the love and support.

[@Hartdance]

She is amazing, there is no one like her...I am so glad she is in my world...Thank You for being you, Patti !!

[@HaupiaFanatic]

danggg that low note when she sings 'in the dark' is delicious.

[@theatrepaul]

Thank god someone recorded her singing this again. I was there & saw her do it. It was thrilling & something I never thought I'd get to see again. I closed my eyes and she took me right back to the Adelphi Theatre in 1993. She was, is & always will be the greatest ever Norma Desmond!!

[@darrenlumby7091]

Wow still in the original key and one of the very few who can produce the correct sound of me as opposed to the many that sing mey!! Love her!!

[@AdaVox]

“May” is not an “incorrect” sound or otherwise. It’s just a healthier vowel modulation for most, and is usually more technically sound depending on where the note falls in the singers range. Your own preference to one over when other doesn’t make one incorrect.

[@duanegroves7167]

I knew it! You loved performing the role of Norma. And, I venture to say that you understand how monumental your performances were. I have been lucky to see you, Miss Patti, many times. If only I had seen this back then. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much for agreeing to sing this Miss Patti and recording it for us. Love you always.

[@Cc-is3is]

love her so much she isn't a bad person she's good at what she does and stands for what she believes in

[@NicoleEHenson]

I too, was there closing. It was heartbreaking to see get so chocked up before performing this - magnificent to witness live. I was crying by the time she had sang the first "With"... Phenomenal.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Just reading Patti's memoir that a fellow theater loving neighbor left at my door and had to look on YT for gems like this. Thank you!

[@pembroke2794]

I remember when Glenn Close was croaking out this part ALW would not allow the British Cast Recording with Patti to be sold anywhere in the U.S. They were literally pulled from the shelves. I know people who have worked with him and label him nothing short of a monster. No one should be that powerful.

[@Mrpgtip]

+pembroke2 well he did compose it!

[@niclesnyc]

I know people who worked with him and they said he was very nice. I know people who worked with Patti and said she was absolutely horrible to everyone at the theater.

[@aavauxhall]

It's been so long since London had the chance to hear this remarkable, remarkable lady. I sincerely hope she could feel our appreciation and I hope we don't wait another 15 years to welcome her back.

[@pattimuse1]

I adore this woman! Her voice is beyond compare!

[@musclemike1969]

Patti is that rare combination of unique incomparable voice and the acting chops to deliver the story. I saw Glenn and Elaine in it and they left notes on the table. Both great stars, but it is Patti who owns this.

[@Pastadudde]

I would say Betty Buckley is up there with Patti..shame they never attempted to raise the key for Betty when she was in Sunset Boulevard

[@hefinrosser8685]

Miss Lupone is Amazing xx I saw her last matinee as Norma. OMG there are no words xx one of the few who's voice just keeps getting better. Xx

[@luponehero]

Patti, you are the true master of this piece. [[What a disgrace to the arts seeing that other woman win the Tony for her ear-bleeding performance ]] This OLC is the one and only. I'm just sorry it's such a bad memory for you, Patti, because this music, sung by you and Kevin, started my (and I'm sure others') passion for musical theater! Brava! Star quality.

[@johnboys4697]

Two Queens one singing and one playing!!

[@thegreatgambino7]

I'm going to see Patti in exactly 26 days at 54 Below (yes, I've been counting down for months)! The show is a week after my birthday and a present from my parents. If Patti sings "With One Look" it will be the best present ever, and I will probably cry like a baby! Either way, I'm looking forward to an amazing show from the best performer alive! Thanks so much for this video, Josh! It must have taken a lot for Patti to sing a song with such emotional ties, and I admire her even more for it!

[@victordunson719]

Miss Close might have the acting chops but when I shell out money for a musical THAT is what I want to hear.

[@meto2854]

victor dunson actually, this is far far below Close in both artistic expression and technical execution. I adore Lupone but this is just barking a song that is out of her comfortable tessitura.

[@LCourtney781]

No one does it better than Patti!

[@ravenna9969]

MnikM close can’t belt and that’s a fact

[@summerwind919]

@@meto2854 far below close in technical execution?? Glenn Close has nothing resembling a decent vocal technique and you want to say that Patti, one of the best vocal technicians on Broadway, is below her?

[@meto2854]

Dean Nguyen yup.

[@abydosianchulac2]

Understandably less expressive than when she had the character in her body, but man, when she gets back into the swing of the song her accuracy is beyond any of the other recordings of her on here. And this is two decades later. Damn.

[@pumpingfe]

O. M. G. Simply amazing! She is the world's Norma Desmond. No one else can ever come close. WOW!

[@epstdav]

saw her do this part in London and it was the best performance I have ever seen She is amazing

[@mikegould4039]

David EPSTEIN yea I saw her in the original production and agree with you

[@kerrsmith2306]

She sang this song too at her final performance in London, which happened to be my birthday. And it certainly made my night. Gotta love Patti. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Joshua.

[@SprightlyValentino]

Patti, you're the only Norma for me! (Besides Gloria Swanson, of course.) And you always will be!!!

[@matt92091]

Title: Patti LuPone sings Sunset Boulevard in London for first time since 1994 Description: "...marking the second time this week that Ms. LuPone has sang the number since her final performance of Sunset Boulevard in London in 1994." I know it was explained in the sentence after, but I found that pretty hilarious.

[@coolchris12345]

I was there!!! She was amazing! Her voice is better than ever! X

[@MrJoko2812]

This was simply AMAZING!

[@janicegabriel73]

Patti is a Goddess! Thank you for sharing!

[@randomass20]

I know that this has been up for awhile, but I've only just watched it now because I knew I would get emotional and I really did. This performance is truly phenomenal, especially because it was incredibly hard for her. Thank you so much for posting this Josh. It's brilliant :)

[@ethana.8653]

Her low range has such POWER now. It was always a good low range, but now, it's incredible. And the belts are still as phenomenal as ever. The only part of her voice that has lost vibrancy is the head voice.

[@baritonebynight]

It was the ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano in the role of Samira, which was originally written for the legendary mezzo soprano Marilyn Horne. Lupone stated that it was the most difficult music that she had ever sung and stretched her to the very top of her range. Although she wasn't able to sing the music as easily as Ms. Horne had (by her own admission) she stated that she compensated for it with her acting and characterization. Simply that fact that Lupone COULD sing a role written for Ms. Horne, even with some transposition, speaks volumes about her abilities as a singer.

[@princepeterwolf]

she's so amazing, she looks so happy and beautiful here!

[@kamwrites]

Chill bumps and tears. WOW.

[@scottdunavent]

Simply OUTSTANDING!!!!!! Thank you for posting!

[@julialovely767]

This made me cry... Outstanding, Patti!!!

[@carwyncymru]

Thanks for posting this, I saw miss lupone as norma desmond in london. She was mind blowing as norma!!!

[@SocialAlchemyProject]

Beautifully striking, Patti LuPone's rendition. Tyler Lord Hamilton

[@victordunson719]

When I see a musical on Broadway I want a powerful singer in the lead role. Say what you will about Glenn Close but I waited for Elaine Paige to play the role before I saw it on Broadway. I so wish Patti had played Norma on Broadway.

[@crwdfwtx]

I love that the accompanist calls out that Patti specifically doesn't do the half ass Glenn Close version

[@Jcontardo]

Same here! And I'm also surprised Betty didn't opt out of the modulation, she could belt E's no problem in Drood.

[@stephenfermoyle4578]

crying !!! love love love

[@zaktopor-flint357]

STILL GOT IT! When are they going to bring HER back in this role? Smirk. Love you to the Moon Ms. LuPone!

[@Bobster427]

Thank you SO MUCH for this Josh! May the Patti & Seth show come to New York soon!!! (and yeah, the OLC of SUNSET is the only one I listen to as well)

[@scottdunavent]

Outstanding!

[@MsWho132]

LOVE YOU PATTI!

[@jamesmainmusic]

She cannot be beaten.

[@crispypoohs]

Thank you for this.

[@TheMacraeman]

Something happened during her singing; between the phrases: "I can play any role"...and picking up with "No words can tell the story my eyes tell..". It started out satisfyingly fine, but it became electrifying from that point on. I don't know why she was let go from the original production, but it's evident why Ms. LuPone was the first choice for the role. Brilliant interpretation and delivery.

[@andygreen1a]

Patti was amazing in Sunset Boulevard. She was Norma Desmond. Lloyd Webber was a fool to replace her with Glenn Close, when the show opened on Broadway. Glenn is a great actress. But Patti has a fantastic voice, as well as being the most amazing actress ever. I saw Patti when she originated the role London, she was mesmerising then and she is mesmerising here. She is the original and the best ever Norma in my opinion. Her voice is as good as ever here. It still is even no in 2023. I’ve seen her performing in 2023 ( on KZbin in a Sondheim concert) Even now at 74 her voice is as good as ever. Whenever I have seen her perform her diction and enunciation are perfect. You can clearly hear, and understand every lyric that she sings. She is amazing!

[@jensenkg]

Reclaim it, Patti. You go!

[@b.a.60]

Perfect! Thanks for sharing!

[@OmniphonProductions]

Had a crush on her since before I ever saw her. When I found out the mom on "Life Goes On" was Fantine, I was flabbergasted! Seeing her here, dressed well but not overdressed, commanding the stage while still being accessible, complete with bobble at the beginning...and with those adorable glasses...and a return to "just" herself immediately after the last note. The crush has just been turned up to 11! "They'll rejoice I've returned at last," INDEED!

[@Etheline]

Josh, thank you VERY much for this, it brings me back to the lovely show! All the best to you! Lucie

[@aavauxhall]

I was there this night and closing. Astonishing. I mean.... astonishing. So much love in the room. I hope she comes back to us in London soon.

[@bigred8432]

Oh she's acting until the last moment... 'It's to hard to sing' JESUS

[@GemmaLouiseBond]

So emotional. Bless her x

[@allanmoore4353]

Wow that's quite an audience, have feeling she could sing her shopping list. Nice to hear this song from her again.

[@josephkelley8641]

Patty Climbed The Mountain 100 different times - when she talks about it = pure stand-up. Definitely coulda have done standup. Seriously funny in her own right (let alone the voice/looks/etc.).

[@gordyCA]

This is a master class (no pun intended) in song interpretation.

[@michelelindor]

She's so timelessly beautiful, god damn!

[@jasl3715]

OK. this is all about Patti...which is a wonderful singer and actress. I was fortuntate enough to see a few Normas in London.. most touching for me was Elaine Paige..talking about range and power! All of them were different and unique and contributed to the role. At the end of the day is not good to compare as this is about personal taste. Sharing views is good and enriching but nasty comments or attacks to not make any singer better or special. They all do their best and I am sure that they reach and move people in different ways.

[@brianeduardo1234]

I saw it London too.. I cannot remember who was in the role but the show was a turkey the only one who has made it work for me is Glenn Close...

[@1990pommie]

NOW THAT'S , a true artist with a wonderful voice.

[@Bailey2006a]

masterful performance. Brava!

[@joneathann]

For some reason the ending to this song has never seemed more appropriate. She is back. And she IS staying for good!

[@matildekimmerle6607]

Still a true talented artist- loved how Ms. Lupone warmed up.

[@Sixmonte]

I'm so happy!!!!!

[@kellicoffman8440]

Love ❤️ the slam to Glenn close about the high note. Patti was so robbed of the Broadway

[@ZACAZULI]

WONDERFUL 💙💙💙💙💙💙💛

[@nmfd72]

This is Super Patti in the Raw, straight up Power! She's the Bestest!!

[@yoy1968]

Love love love LOVE! This is how it's done! Glenn Close can SUCK IT! Thanks so much for posting this! You made my day!

[@Lizwindsor]

Are you OK?

[@videorebel28]

I feel your pain! Oh how I wish Patti would come to Puerto Rico...

[@josea.ramirez975]

La vi como Mrs. Lovett en Sweeney Todd, en Nueva York como en el 2006.

[@MrJoseebus]

Joshua, bless you. BLESS YOU!

[@Macrogue65]

I was there at her last performance on Sunset. She kissed the stage and charged a fortune for not opening on Broadway.

[@Madmen604]

How I envy their talent!!!!

[@joncerda351]

AMAZING!!!!

[@robertoignacio4054]

oh my god...that voice is awesome..

[@sheenajaynecanoy2814]

I love her cuteness i swear

[@rimay14]

Thank you! Ya no me siento sola!!!!

[@echeleteich3347]

Patti & Betty Buckley are 2 Broadway royals.

[@scottdunavent]

The Best. We love you Patti!

[@andrewholland9097]

Love you Patti!!!!

[@MCMNasty2]

Freaking chills man

[@madman5054]

That made me cry

[@BrianWhisenant]

UNREAL. Wow!

[@gibbspaulus]

Was there for Wednesday. Beautiful performance, less gobby queens!

[@benrimalower]

This is the best the song has ever been performed.

[@Eiswirth1]

Fan-fucking-tastic!

[@trex1563]

I do think, if only this role had come to her at this stage in her life.......

[@aLeftHandedFlea]

OMGoodness. SO many FEELINGS!!

[@oofahman]

Just amazing :)

[@amandahorvath-adair6183]

Dead. Dying. All over the place. LOVE IT.

[@danielbaskins6601]

CHILLS. I HAVE CHIILS!!!! I need a revival now.

[@jamesc7019]

Amazing