Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Sunset-Boulevard-Shubert

Full Text:

THEATRE REVIEW: "Boulevard" Full Of Memories & Entertainment In New Haven

(with cut)

By June April

NEW HAVEN -- Having grown up in Hollywood, memories poured forth while

watching the Shubert's current big production, Sunset Boulevard , which opened

Tuesday night at the historic New Haven theatre. Designer Derek McLane's set

creations, both exteriors and interiors, were only made more impressive by

Peter Kaczorowski's highly effective lighting skills.

A two-week run through May 2 offers an opportunity to view the glitz and grime

that created and still exists in the Hollywood culture.

Sunset Boulevard opens with a murder. The story has strong, poignant

overtones, peppered with ironic humor. In some ways, the movie made in 1950

was more effective. Directed by Billy Wilder and starring Gloria Swanson and

William Holden, the film version justifiably won numerous awards from the

Academy that year.

This musical version is more entertaining, however, as contrasted to the black

and white film which was even more enlightened. The musical score by Andrew

Lloyd Webber doesn't really have songs that one goes out humming, but almost

in an operatic sense heightens the actions. The lyrics by Don Black and

Christopher Hampton work extremely well in moving the plot along and accenting

the mood of that scene. New Haven's Shubert Theatre is a marvelous and elegant

setting in which to present this, the second national touring company.

The plot is about manipulation, adulation and validation. Playing the once

stellar silent movie queen, Norma Desmond, Petula Clark offers a range of

emotions of a predatory, vain and controlling aging actress.

As the confused but accepting gigolo, actor Lewis Cleale performs most

credibly as Joe Gillis, a screenwriter fallen on hard times.

Although he seemed stiffer than need be, the sensitivity in the tender moments

were powerfully portrayed by Allen Fitzpatrick. As Norma's butler/chauffeur

Max von Mayerling, Mr Fitzpatrick's character is intimately involved with the

former movie star, and the story unravels to illuminate that relationship.

Strongly recalling the actor/director Erich von Stroheim, Max appears to be

the most interesting character in this production.

Outstanding costuming by Anthony Powell beautifully enhances the production.

The sound and musical balance is outstanding, and not diminished in any

section of the theatre.

The choreography by Kathleen Marshall captured the sense of the frenzy that

often occurs on the movie set. Direction by Susan Schulman is thumbs up. It's

clear from this production why she has won the many awards she has during her

directing career.

There is enough reality and known figures in this story to make it believable.

It's worth seeing, especially if one then rents the movie to contrast the two

different presentations.

For further information and tickets call the Shubert Theatre box office at

562-5666 or Advantix, open 24 hours, at 800/228-6622.