We were there the night that Mandy Gonzalez was in for Nicole Scherzinger and we had no complaints!  She turned in a full, remarkable performance.  She gave more than 100%.  She did, in fact, add just a bit more age and a bit less of the statuesque model to the role which helped but still we are not getting the character the play the play claims to be “a million years old.”

The use of video in this production is some of the most exciting work I have ever seen in a staged production.  Moments between acting on stage and acting for the camera come together perfectly and really made you feel the energy, magic and the allure of the movie industry that is at the heart of this story.  Moments explode on stage!  Your imagination is ignited by the camera but the live performance takes it to the finish line.

The other thing that felt different to me was the use of the supporting characters in the story.  Rather than a realistic assortment of actors, writers and producers, this group of characters, becomes much like a Greek chorus witnessing the tragedy of this ill-fated “love” story and helping to push it over the edge.  Costumed all in contemporary black clothing and all focused downstage at the audience, they become an ominous presence 

I clearly loved this production of Sunset Blvd.  The realistic version that I enjoyed starring Glen Close gave me an introduction to this story, but this version truly opened the hood and made me feel the machinery inside the musical.  Wow!  Just WOW!~