Sunset Blvd - Betty Buckley ACT ONE

[@robertjackson5645]

Betty may just be the Greatest Star of All

[@MereMusic78]

She really was the best Norma! Her voice is perfection, and much like the character she is playing, she is stunningly captivating. You can’t take your eyes off of her. Thank you for sharing this video. I’m so happy to have found it.

[@douglasduff4466]

How can you say her voice is perfection? Uts truly awful - it's all wobbly vibratto all over the place. Patti and Elaine.were the best 2.

[@Sthunderrocker]

To each their own I guess. She is the best in my book too.

[@kyleswingle5844]

@@douglasduff4466 so funny the way we all interpret how Norma should sound. I found Patti, and I love Patti, to be unlistenable.

[@stevenstein-grainger421]

Thank you. Doing Sunset was a high point in my career. Betty and I had a good time.

[@danapohl444]

I was lucky to see Ms. Buckley in this production. This brings back lots of good memories. Back when Broadway was more affordable and you didn't have to hope to win a lottery to not pay an arm and leg for tickets.

[@DavidJPont]

I really wish that broadway was much cheaper! Id be there every weekend!!

[@theman36]

And you had just as much luck as everyone else to get a great seat versus paying extra for one.

[@crispypoohs]

That moment where she silences the applause with the wave of her hand, still totally in character, and then delivers that line "Now go." is MAGIC.

[@rabidrabbitshuggers]

It deserved a much longer applause break.

[@Hectorlionelcroons]

What a perfect and glamorous way of stopping the applause.

[@takakhan-z3w]

No Act 1 Finale gives me more chills than Sunset. It's so brilliantly written, feeling romantic, dangerous, and slightly sinister all at the same time.

[@L1623VP]

Listen to that enormous orchestra of 34+ pieces. Now that Phantom is closed, you don't hear that huge, lush sound on Broadway anymore.

[@Rick_PH]

I had the very great pleasure to see Ms. Buckley in this role in London in the 90s. It was the best show I have ever seen. Great seats, too, front row center, lower dress circle. I guess the Queen couldn't make it that day.

[@minime3975]

OMG I cannot believe I've only just found this on KZbin. love this show & B.Buckley. She took my breath away.

[@prestonnorris9822]

I was blessed to see this production with Betty Buckley, was phenomenal!!!

[@raulroque3419]

Sunset boulevard was by far my favorite. Saw it about 6 times w/Betty Buckley and Steven was amazing 👏. The entire cast. Wish it was released on DVD. Love it til this day!❤❤❤

[@ZidaneWarner]

Just watching this makes wonder how in the hell did the theater make room for all of those massive sets.

[@richardmayora5310]

I saw the show in LA prior to NY and the stage manager told me that only the Minskoff could accommodate the special needs for the sets.

[@MarkvanBeelen]

This is the first video I found that really shows the house moving up, the apartment coming from underneath and the majority of what's going on in the house on Sunset during "This time next year". I always found that such a fascinating design and directing choice.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Necessity is the mother of invention: the only way to fit the house into the Adelphi in London was to have it stored up in the flies and to lower it onto the stage via four lifts in the corners. It then moved upstage or downstage to make room for e.g. the dance floor or additional furniture in some scenes. That allowed them to have it half-flown and use it like a split-screen, which works very well, showing Norma getting more drunk and depressed as Joe’s mood lightens more and more. The irony that he is surrounded by people with real problems (money...) who still manage to have a good time whilst she’s in this huge mausoleum falling apart over not a particularly nice man anyway is really evident when staged that way. The underside of the house is the lighting rig used to light scenes like Paramount, Schwab’s etc - you can see it if you look carefully. Had to have a rig built in otherwise there was no room for lights as the house takes up so much space. Hence those downstage vertical slats that cover the stage in many scenes to allow e.g. transformation into Paramount in Act 2: a lot of the big set pieces are slid in from the back rather than from the flies as v little fly space left. Schwab’s sign, paramount gate (I think), those slats: really very little is flown in. Part of the reason they moved movie action from the menswear store to the house too (and it fits Norma: she’d never go out in public in case no one recognises her).

[@MarkvanBeelen]

@@TheSpinDoctor Thank you for all this wonderful information. I love it! I actually knew about most of that. I read it somewhere a very long time ago. Wasn't there a book about the show at some point? What's your source?

[@TheSpinDoctor]

@@MarkvanBeelen Yes there was a book on it in the 1990s. I saw the sets from backstage - had a friend who worked on the show. John Napier has talked extensively about the designs in detail and how and why it was all done as it was done. He used to have the original version (London before the LA opening, after which the London set got painted black) in golds and reds and ochres on his website with the technical drawings etc.

[@ellaball]

she is truly amazing. Have always loved her voice

[@chernjam]

My favorite musical of all time - and my favorite Norma. Thanks for sharing. Loved what she did with "The Perfect Year"

[@caseyjay231]

It was so kind of you to upload the full musical. It was a real treat to watch it, as I have never seen any of the big Sunset Boulevard productions before. Thank you so much.

[@michaelp9747]

I was lucky enough to see this show from the 11th row. Betty Buckley was genius in this role. Alice Ripley kicked ass, and the orchestra and the arrangements were just grand. This was a great show to experience live.

[@scottdryden4981]

Hello every one I am canadian. I saw the dianna Carroll of sunset boulevard in Toronto. Andrew Lloyd Webber did it again. He has such amazing shows. It was great . He always uses his musical mind. I Love it. Can't wait to see School of rock. He goes serious and he turns it all around for kids. Master Andrew never quite your job and thanks!!!!!!!!!😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@MereMusic78]

They did such a great job keeping the feel of the movie. I knew the musical before the film and as I watched it I could almost hear the music in my head.

[@LouBrikanT]

THE BEST!...Thanks a lot for the memories.

[@musicbox63]

Wow Rick, my front row center seats were at the performance of Glenn Close. We got to meet her after the show, my friend said he found her rather unfriendly. I explained to him she was still in character. She signed any and all programs and didn't seem to rush people off. It was great.

[@SteveWeaverIvyfield]

Those first 16 bars... Mesmerising..!

[@16Arson]

Your rendition of 'New Ways to Dream' was beautiful. So calm and emotional, but you carried such an air of sincerity with the words you were singing.

[@MM-tx7gi]

By far the best of all of the actresses!

[@pumpingfe]

Wow the original set design and hydrolics is amazing!

[@well3295]

Fantastic to see this again!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it

[@GasCityGuy]

I've read that Paramount owns the rights to any film version and have not been willing to let a project move forward. Wish they would lighten up and let something get done, I'd love to see it.

[@nickforbes-warren6602]

GasCityGuy The irony of the lyric PARAMOUNT IS PARADISE in Lets Have Lunch isn't lost on me . . .

[@littlesongbird1]

I heard that's why Webber is trying to get them reconsider. I believe they told him if he can make School of Rock into a success they will consider letting him do a film version of Sunset! (I think that's why he revived it, to stir up interest!)

[@oofahman]

Simply Amazing!!! Betty IS Norma, as is Glenn! NO ONE can touch them

[@oofahman]

Hey, we're all entitled to our own opinions, my friend.

[@marvinmelhorn5843]

Doug Rug I thought LuPone was miscast. Sure she can belt it, but subtle she is not. She excels at brassy, loud-mouth roles (e.g. EVITA, ANYTHING GOES, GYPSY), but she cannot tone it down, which is why I also think she was really miscast as Fantine when she originated the role in London. LuPone's Fantine would never have been taken advantage of and wilted like a shrinking violet. That's why she wasn't believable in the role. Fantine works best when the actress exudes pathos and you sympathize for her plight.

[@rodrigoarias5870]

Doug Rug Sorry, you are not getting the thing here, to belt higher or beter or powerful doesn´t mean that she has the facility to get into Norma´s character, Glenn blows Patti, not singing but acting.

[@oofahman]

oh I love Patti too! She can sing ANYTHING!!!

[@pawat60]

OMG Thank you for posting this. A dream come true to get to see it. If I could live my life over it would definately include seeing BLB in everything on Broadway and beyond. Sadly I only saw her in Drood but that was awesome! Hard living in another country when you love all things NYC!

[@queenmedesa]

Thanks for posting this great musical

[@crwdfwtx]

Betty Buckley is a goddess, though my heart will always go to Patti in this piece. Also, Kevin Anderson should have become a huge star after this, what a voice.

[@Alessandra.B500]

Thank you... thousand times!....

[@raymondlawson8914]

Fabulous from start to finish

[@fgdmyo1]

How I loved this show

[@pohl2634]

I love you for uploading this. I saw her in this!

[@RoonJazz]

Oh wow, thank you, THANK YOU! Betty Buckley was the greatest Norma of them all (closely followed by Petula Clark). I saw the show in London's West End over 30 times. xxx Is that Alan Campbell as Joe? I liked John Barrowman best for singing; Earl Carpenter or Rex Smith for acting. x

[@16Arson]

Because she's Betty Buckley, she can do whatever she wants on stage.

[@jamesdifferentiated4375]

wow. just wow! How on earth did you do this? I was expecting it to be audio only. Video cameras back then must've been huge! Thank you very much

[@oscarphile]

Here's the thing I love about Betty; she may be the one Norma I've seen, on video or onstage, that doesn't induce the audience to inappropriate, nervous laughter when she kisses the pet chimp after "Surrender". She completely draws you into her sadness and mystique, so that you're too riveted to judge; I don't know what her secret is, but she has made Norma into something more than grotesque.

[@spencer757200]

You are so right, I have seen a few ' Sunsets" and that moment usually gets a laugh and Buckley played it better than any actress in my opinion

[@jamesrouillardjas1671]

Seems to me anyone who has ever loved an animal should understand the depth of her grief at losing her beloved friend.

[@oscarphile]

@@jamesrouillardjas1671 True, but I guess not everyone relates to having an exotic animal like a chimpanzee as a pet.

[@oncnurse8709]

Thank you so much for posting this. I just saw Betty Buckley in "Hello, Dolly" - what a wonderful treat. It made me disappointed to not have had the opportunity to see her other work in theater - but then I came across this. Love it! I have seen her interviews regarding her playing Norma Desmond. Where she speaks to her depiction of Norma - love her interpretation best - her Norma is fragile, teetering on the fine line of a mental breakdown, still holding on to the glamour of the silent movie era. Joe's using her and the failed "return" as she calls it pushes her over the edge - totally believable. I respect Glenn Close's work, but her Norma is too eccentric for me - I don't see a young man staying with her - if you know what I mean :).... thankful that this exists. I found the CD from her recordings for Sunset - what an amazing voice.

[@jamitch3]

I saw her in Sunset Boulevard in London 30 years ago and then like you had a chance to see her in Hello Dolly a few years ago. Both were amazing performances

[@SteveWeaverIvyfield]

I’ve seen seven Norma’s. Betty was hands down THE BEST.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

I love how in the leopard print frock she manages to sneak in the Grizabella “touch me” hand out behind her pose. Cute touch.

[@Aussie1276]

Love the nod to the original move with the car chase scene

[@alexanuchid]

Sometime I feel like I am Norma, but sometime I am Joe and Max...Oh I love Sunset Boulevard .

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

What?! No Betty?!?!

[@saesunkim]

Oh my GOD Thank you SO Much.

[@marioormando8065]

Love it. ..just need a Hd version of the show. Please Mr. Webber let it happend

[@rusted_ursa]

Webber wants it. It's Paramount that keeps getting in the way.

[@amyclarke41]

Looks a great musical☺

[@EleniH]

Love it :)

[@mikejock]

she is perfect

[@gioPHL]

Thank you so much for this.

[@bernardoohara]

many thanks

[@AtLastOnTheGround]

GOD BLESS YOU

[@drednm]

I saw Glenn Close star in this show in Los Angeles. She was absolutely electrifying. Where was this show taped??

[@HouseOnSunset]

+drednm Broadway. Betty Buckley replaced Glenn Close during the Broadway run.

[@raulroque3419]

At the Minskoff Theater NYC.

[@Annie2two]

Thankyou thankyou thank-you

[@stephenacs]

I respect Glenn Close greatly, but she cannot compare with the vocal chops and dramatic intensity of Betty Buckley. She's simply incomparable.

[@JaredGoerke]

Glenn Close was dramatically better, you forgot that you were watching Glenn and felt like you were watching Norma Desmond.

[@sultanalharbi2998]

@@JaredGoerke I just hate it when Broadway musical fans judge acting, they only care about the vocals but they don't admit it. And yes Betty can out sing Glenn easily but Glenn is one of the most brilliant actesses ever and especially at interpreting characters, she can build layers to the moon and Norma is one of her most layered, and even though Betty is really good as Norma (much better than Patti) she is nowhere near Glenn, her interpretation is shallow but she succeeds with the obvious parts in the script like the comedic bits as much as Glenn.

[@asconstantinides]

Thanks 4 adding!

[@fmoretti]

assolutamente MERAVIGLIOSO!!!!!!!!!!

[@victorrawl5132]

Viva LA Diva Buckley

[@RoonJazz]

Best musical. Miss Buckley was easily the best Norma. Followed by Petula Clarke. Also saw Rita Moreno, Faith Browne and Elaine Paige. All good (not so much Rita, but still ok). John Barrowman, Alex Hanson, Rex Smith the best Joes. Michael Bauer the best Max by far. Keep smiling x

[@bl6797]

I can’t watch her go down the stairs without laughing because of my memory of Carol Burnett!

[@Abonanno24601]

Seth MacFarlane would make the perfect Joe Gillis if they ever make this into a movie or do a revival.

[@xxkewldudexx]

Yes!! His snarky streak would suit the role so well.

[@TsarStefan]

iloveyou

[@caseyjay231]

It is either Alice Ripley, or her undrstudy, Lauren Kennedy (who went on to play Betty in the ill-fated 1st National Tour of Sunset Blvd.).

[@adam4757]

Not sure why, but I find 48:01 to be one of the most powerful parts of the show. I think ALW did something quite extraordinary there. It seems to hit a nerve with me somehow.

[@jdfi1980]

Wow - thank you for shooting this for us. Can't have been easy back then, with the size of equipment etc. Were you staff?

[@maqes2000]

Thanks for up loading, I liked Glenn better, a few times, it looked as if timing was off, between Alan and Betty. Might have been the beginning of their run. Loved it the same. I did recently heard a movie is in the works and Glenn will play Norma. :-)

[@pika23]

+garrychelsea I was just going to ask if she was back...then I read your comment was from a week ago. I heard she broke a disc in her back and may not be returning? I know of someone who actually went to London from California specifically to see Glenn and now this has to happen.

[@musicbox63]

Go to the right of the screen, it's listed.

[@ANTINUTZI]

... Buckley simply burns down the scenery. *Period, full stop.*

[@Lindow]

Back when this was playing the most expensive ticket was 71$. How much does a ticket cost these days?

[@artsyfartsy6286]

Was she suffering a cold during this performance? She sounded raspy and also changed the melody of "The Perfect Year".

[@TheMusicalsFan]

This is great! Do you by any chance have the complete show of the revival of Assassin's from 2004? If you do, could you upload it?

[@raypaul9731]

love this show, and was lucky enough to see all 3 productions, lupone, buckley, and close. they were all different, and very good. my problem with glenn is she can not sing a note,(fine acting, but slaughtered the vocals) so i was surprised to hear she will do the film. lupone is the one for the movie for sure, but betty was my favorite norma of the stage productions. she really could your heart. not sure what webber is going for in the film adaptation, but glenn is not a vocalist, and not the one to preserve on film.

[@peterjohn974]

I saw Elaine Paige perform it Live in 1995. Life changing! I went to see it a few more times while I was there and it has been my favorite musical since that time.

[@johnyvanrhedcastro2203]

Glenn Close is a great singer. Stop being so damn bitter. She's the only one who can actually put into heart the core emotions of Norma Desmond...Nobody can internalize that shit harder than her!!!! She deserves to be in the film because that's what movies are for. The emotions. The drama portrayed through the EYES! It's not a concert it's a movie!

[@peterjohn974]

Sounds like you are the one who is "BITTER". I happened to see Paige, Lupone, Buckley, Close and even Petula Clark all do the role. The only one that I think was horrible was Clark. Paige was by far my favorite, then Buckley close after Paige in performance. Then at a near distance (but still very good) was Close and then Lupone. The fact that other people do not like Close does not mean we are bitter, it means that her performance was not as good as the others in our opinions. I have seen this musical over 40 times with different casts. When I saw Close do it she did not seem to have the power in her singing voice as my favorite two did. Also, at that time Close was younger and did not give the impression of an "aging" Hollywood star. Years have passed and I would like to see how she would do now. Also, on screen the can alter the sound to fit the image. We learned from My Fair Lady that they did not have to use the actresses singing voice to make the film. If they make the film any of these women (or others) would do a fine job.

[@johnyvanrhedcastro2203]

+Peter John but to go as far as saying glennclose "cannot sing"?! and she "slaughtered the notes"?! what the heck are u talking about. yes maybe she doesn't have that lyric nor coloratura soprano range like the others have but THAT'S not the essence of Norma Desmond. It's more about character. The feel. Not just the belting of notes. But then again maybe it's just that we have contradicting opinions.

[@raypaul9731]

glenn is a fine actress, but she CAN NOT sing. everyone knows it, except obviously you. peter is correct in his assessment. the role does not call for a "lyric or coloratura soprano," lol!!!,but rather a great singer, which all the others were/are. glenn may be great in the film adapation, but she will never touch lupone or buckley on the stage. did not see paige, and regret it, so a little jealous of you peter john......

[@markceria387]

Bring back Broadway Musicals now!

[@stevenstein-grainger421]

Yup.

[@JulianneHannes]

Is that Diana Goodman!!!

[@dohaperson1]

Why doesn't she sing the proper melody for the Perfect Year? And a few other places she changes the melody..why? why? why?

[@joshmanfredi2432]

Glenn sang them…. Y

[@16Arson]

Oh my God - You were brilliant. What was it like working with Betty? (Turns into a fanboy)

[@marioormando8065]

Is there a other full version in a Hd ?

[@SirEgorVassa]

Can you write the cast and where was it performed?

[@jjjj614]

did you or somebody you know put this show through a video stabilizer?

[@brookes0]

What is the full cast list?

[@scottstmartyn7955]

Is this London or Broadway ???

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

I'm gonna say Broadway, since Buckley replaced Close when she departed, and here 'Joe' and "Betty' are played by the original Broadway performers, Alan Campbell and Alice Ripley.

[@cosmo4350]

One which Date was this performance?

[@faceleg24601]

Is that Alice Ripley as Betty?!!

[@aahwUNL11]

It seems like it. That voice is pretty unmistakable.

[@pureimagination75]

No, it's Kathy Najimy.

[@briellec7173]

+Curtis Frank No, this is definitely Alice Ripley, she played the role of Betty on Broadway.

[@michael1967ize]

I think this is the Broadway version because that Alan Campbell as joe

[@TourDriverSean]

I was wondering, since his voice and deliverance as the LA soundtrack

[@correoprivado9953]

Do you have a complete version with Glenn?

[@kyleswingle5844]

Is that Alice Ripley?

[@Aelios817]

Does anyone know what date this was from?

[@bookboybrs90]

can u post cats and phantom?

[@16Arson]

You were Max in this performance?!

[@crazyguy98456978]

Is it just me? Or would it be amazing to have Bernadette Peters as Norma.

[@lukeb247]

+Pauly- Walnuts Fuck yes. I didn't know I wanted that until just now.

[@davidfathom3051]

That... That would be amazing. Maybe they would even have her sing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" in the original (Patti Lupone) key. With the proper dynamic burst at the end!

[@kallen868]

🎯💖

[@victordunson719]

Dear god no, her voice is not made for this role.

[@hotradiogaga]

What's up with all those hip thrusts while singing With one look? 😅

[@queenmedesa]

She's mimicking Joan of Arc at the stake

[@charteredfinancialplanner]

Who's here after seeing Nicole Scherzinger in London?

[@BarryCorbett-x9m]

Brava, Betty. Makes one ask: Why is Glenn Close allowed to sing in public?

[@jimrick6632]

SO WHERE IS ACT TWO???????????

[@dohaperson1]

Genius....Close opened first before Buckley. Genius....research is an amazing thing.

[@bernardoohara]

its sad to see those modern versions of this great musical. as if the setting was not a crucial part of the story.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

I saw this version in London and New York end in Germany, the ENO revival (which was really only ever intended as a short-run staged concert basically), the Kathryn Evans London version that started at the Watermill, the Dutch version that had the drum-like concentric half-circle sets and one of the lower budget new German versions in small venue and the tours of the U.K. both the one around the turn of the century snd the recent one. Of them all, the ENO version actually was one of the best in terms of how well the staging worked. The trouble with the original was just how much the house swamped the action and was almost another character in the piece all together. It was impressive but very static: nothing in the house could be moveable as the house had to be flown up above the stage between scenes, hence any props or chairs etc are always brought in. It made it feel lifeless and I know it is Norma’s tomb but more in a “some scenes have loads of props etc but Norma’s house is like an empty box” kind of way. Not even the pictures of Norma could be lifted up to be looked at by Joe: it was all stuck down securely in case it tipped over when the set landed on the stage. I think the original design (this is not actually it) was nicer in golds and warmer colours but it was repainted and reupholstered in London after LA opened into these darker burnt golds and blacks. It took the California out of the house and made it look dull and cold. I know that was the idea but in the original light shone in and reflecting on warm walls: the sheer size was what sucked the life out of the light, along with Norma. Simpler settings and letting people fill in the blanks themselves honestly work better sometimes. If theatre doesn’t require imagination it is trying to be cinema.

[@SONGLANGTHEMOVIE]

At 46:26 is where With One Look should be. Not in Norma's first scene.

[@dohaperson1]

Why?

[@SONGLANGTHEMOVIE]

+dohaperson1 cuz it makes more sense. She's watching herself on screen and goes into With One Look. The current placement of the song is too early, it's a wrong type of song to introduce her to Joe and to the audience.

[@dohaperson1]

But, like in the movie, she immediately starts telling Joe about how amazing she was and the song is her way of bringing forth her glamour and presence and also the delusion that drives her.

[@christinedaae8725]

Sierra Boggess brought me here

[@louis-mariedesaintecroix9866]

How? :) tell me, I'm intrigued

[@mandymills1031]

Louis de Sainte Croix prolly because she saw he do Christine in Phantom of the Opera