UPDATE - STEFANIE POWERS (8/14/10) On our vacation this summer, we travelled to Ogunquit Maine and were able to catch the closing performance of Ogunquit Playhouse's version of Sunset Blvd. It is the first regional theater to have produce the show and Stefanie was simply marvelous as Norma. Not so crazy like Glenn's version but a little more refined that left me feeling sympathetic for her. Original costumes she dawned and vocal key range like Glenn.
THOUGHTS ABOUT NORMA DESMOND As many of you maybe aware, I am a huge fan of the movie & musical Sunset Boulevard. I first saw the movie in 1992, during my film class in college. Watching Gloria Swanson portray this aging silent movie queen, I immediately began writing my thesis paper.
Combing the theatre magazines on the anticipated release in Los Angeles, I discovered that Barbara Streisand was releasing her "Back to Broadway" album, with 2 SB songs. Listening to her interpretations of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" and "With One Look" began my obsession of the character of Norma Desmond.
When Glenn Close was asked to play Norma, I first thought, "WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!?!" I have to admit that Patti Lupone's Norma prejudiced me into believing that Glenn could never pull it off vocally. My biggest complaint on the LA cast album was the dramatic key change in "With One Look". Again I thought, "WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!?!" With all the changes between both cast albums, I still looked forward to seeing it live, during its premiere week in New York. I was lucky to get tickets that week and I can remember sitting in the audience with butterflies in my stomach. All my doubts were changed when Glenn first appeared. Watching her interpretation of "With One Look", she inspired my own creativity in musical theatre. The thing I learned that night was not to judge the cast album before viewing the show. She wasn't the best singer, it was the performance that left you speechless.
Following that, I read up on press reviews and cast changes. After Glenn Close debuted, I saw SB 3 more times, with Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige tackling Norma and later, the National Tour with Petula Clark. I began buying posters, magnets and cast albums from the Toronto & German casts and individual concept albums, including singers from Australia, Germany and London. I even have gone as far as to dress up in Norma's "With One Look" turban & robe for Halloween parties and Fire Island invasion parties.
So when this all begin? Film Class, 1993: I really wasn't in the mood to sit through another 2-hour film, in my senior year of college. I reached in my bag for that flask of Sambuca I bought 5 minutes before class started. When the lights went down and movie started, I immediately passed the flask around to my friends. By the time it came back to me, I found myself a bit distracted. "You there! Why are you so late? Why have you kept me waiting?" Instantly, my focus shifted to the screen. I didn't realize what was about to overcome me. I was getting my first taste of what would become my ultimate obsession: Norma Desmond from Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard.
So why the obsession? I honestly really don't know why. Norma is such a tragedy. My own feelings of "routing for the underdog" underlie my hopes of her actually succeeding in a triumphant return. I routed for her. I think it would have given her the feeling that her life had purpose and that her work would be agelessly appreciated. The song "With One Look" is one of my favorite pieces from the musical, because the song gives you a look into her heart - her fiery passion and her heartbreaking vulnerability. I don't think there will be another character that will provoke my inner passion and vulnerability the way she did. Norma encapsulated my spirit and for that, I will always love her.
