'Alright Mr.Demille, I'm ready for my close-up.'
Norma Desmond
My introduction to Sunset Boulevard came like most of my introductions to Broadway Shows, through the soundtrack. I really knew nothing about the show, or the music, but when I was in high school, I found a used cd of the Original London Cast at a flea market. I didn't know the show, but I certainly knew who Patti LuPone was. I listed to the cd over and over and as much as I loved LuPone, I also loved Kevin Anderson's turn as Joe.
John Barrowman
The making of Sunset Boulevard the musical had more drama than the story itself. I have a friend who's husband worked on Aspects of Love, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical which came to Broadway following his enormous success with The Phantom of the Opera. Although it the show had some great music, and it didn't last even a year.
'Webber didn’t exactly endear himself to the cast and crew of Aspects. Shortly after it opened, he faxed the female lead, his wife Sara Brightman, and told her he was divorcing her. The story made the papers (of course), and the press had a heyday with his insensitivity. Webber blamed the NYC critics for the show’s short run and swore he would never open another show in New York.'
Rex Smith
For this reason, Sunset Boulevard opened first in London and Los Angeles. This was a good thing as the show had a lot of issues, some of which got worked out before the show eventually headed to Broadway. Even with the changes, the when the show ultimately did arrive on Broadway, it too, was greeted with mixed reviews.
Webber was so focused on wanting another hit, he decided LuPone was not a big enough star to attract attention he wanted for it's Broadway debut. I'm not sure if things were different in the 90's, but today, I can't think of a bigger Broadway star than Patti LuPone. Still, Weber let her go before the debut, hoping he might stag someone who create a wildfire of box office buzz.
William Holden
After attempts to sign both Barbra Streisand and Julie Andrews, both of which failed, Webber eventually hired movie star Glenn Close who was playing Norma in the Los Angeles production. I've seen clips of Close in the role, and heard her on the Broadway soundtrack. No shade, she's great, but her voice holds little of the power LuPone's was able to deliver. Close saved with acting talent and personality, but it was a hit in the teeth to LuPone that took her years to get over.
Danny Mac
The Los Angeles production had it's own issues after Faye Dunaway, hired to replace Close, was fired for having the vocal ability for the role of Norma. Dunaway ended up filing a lawsuit against the producers, the second Norma to do so. LuPone also sued after she was replaced. Like LuPone, Kevin Anderson never made the trip to Broadway either. Joe was placed by Actor Alan Campbell, who co-starred with Close in the Los Angeles production.
Although there were many actors who stepped in and out of the role of Joe, in addition to the actors I've featured below, John Barrowman co-starred with Betty Buckley in London, Rex Smith with Diahann Caroll in the Canadian production and Danny Mac took on the role in a London revival in 2016. Mac, along with Michael Xavier followed William Holden's lead by appearing in a bathing suit by the pool, opening the second act with the show's signature song 'Sunset Boulevard.'
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