Elaine Paige Sunset Boulevard

[themaxster100]

i clicked on this cause i thought it said 'ellen' paige and i was like-what's Juno doing on broadway?

[TheJohnpandy]

Wonderful. her eyes are worth a thousand words.

[vsktx]

Elaine Paige was born to perform on the Broadway stage!!! She is one of the best to ever grace it. No..Susan Boyle is not an Elaine Paige but Susan, you have my respect and admiration for trying to be and living your dream! You made it.

[eluk93]

i wish i was there

[xxfayerocksxx]

i love her ): <3 xxxx <3 xxxxx

[siroakleigh98]

I love it....when I close my eyes. I can't stand watching her overact.

[lite7761str]

@siroakleigh98 She's an actress playiing a silent film star who overacts! She's supposed to overact. That's the character. Get it?!!

Elaine is fascinating to listen to AND watch. Pure class.

[siroakleigh98]

@lite7761str Whoa, calm yourself. Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite movies and musicals. I have actually written dramaturgical analyses of both and I am well aware of what the character requires.

It would be different if it were a character choice, but I always feel that Elaine Paige overacts and it was confirmed when I watched her ham it up during "Follies" in DC. I am not denying that she has a huge fan base, but she is just not my bag. But, like I said, I very much enjoyed her vocal.

[lite7761str]

@siroakleigh98 I disagree as I believe it WAS a character choice, as I stated; but I'm glad you like her vocal. Sorry you didn't enjoy Elaine's acting in "Follies" in DC. I have tickets for the Broadway show and expect to find her just as enchanting as I know she is sure to be, as usual, IMO.

[siroakleigh98]

@lite7761str In regards to "Follies", the thing is I really enjoyed her as Carlotta. She was a spitfire during the book scenes and I really enjoyed her performance. "I'm Still Here" was just a let down for me and, unfortunately, that song is Carlotta's big moment. I think part of the problem with the number was the way that it was staged. But they are doing nearly a month of previews, so it might change! lol I know you're going to love her and I look forward to seeing the show again. Cheers!

[GlasgowMusicStudio]

I'm sorry folks, I prefer Glenn Close :-/

[macheath2025]

You're always top of my list, Elaine....<3

[Tatrai123]

Stunning!!! I've never heard this song sung better.

[Bigbearbeau]

I saw iss Paige sing this in New York...she was superteriffic!

[floydforever1960]

OMG!!!!! She is the finest stage performer/singer I've ever seen.

[sno347valli]

@floydforever1960 I second the motion!

[SubtextRules]

As far as I'm concerned, this is the best version of the song.

[Flippry]

I saw her do this..... she is my All Time Fave.... she moved me like I had never been moved before in the theater, and I will NEVER forget this Song Birds Amazing Voice.. Thank You Elaine Paige... U are a Gift..

[earlady66]

@Flippry How lucky you were to witness EP doing this and all the other Sunset Blvd songs. I do think this is my favorite musical she has done. I love her singing Piaf also. She definately does have a gift with that wonderful voice! She's still at it after all these years! :)

[Hanneliliable]

You can see what of an actress she is, in addition to having THE greatest voice. I wish this were still on Broadway, with her as Norma of course. Elaine Paige - Leading Lady of Musicals. No one above and no one beside her.

[steveturnerx]

i haven't been this moved since mother oil graduated leon's beauty school...

[leofracassi]

she's got a better voice, but glenn close is certainly a better actress.

[neonmoon82]

I wish I could have seen Elaine Paige in Sunset Blvd. From all the clips I have seen I would have to say she was the best Norma. I saw Glenn Close twice in the role and loved her but Elaine is better. I have never been much of a Patti fan.

[hollywoody5000]

Her rendition of Memory from Cats is the greatest ever

[finderer]

Agreed. I've watched all of the actresses renditions of this song. I will contend that this actress does it the best. I hope that I can find the CD version of this show.

[DELLWOODBARKER]

amazing

[AngelorPhantom1359]

why is it that whenever ALW talks he sounds like he needs to burp but is holding it in lol.

And Patti LuPone was way better in this just like in Evita.

[MTA1966]

@AngelorPhantom1359 ...........and that's why ALW didn't get her to open the show is the USA is it...............??? Even he says this is the best version of this song. Don't start bashing - I love Patti - but she was miscast in this role.

[DCFunBud]

Of all the musical Norma Desmonds, I think Elaine Paige captures Gloria Swanson's interpretation the best: the desperation, the narcissism, and the madness. She also mastered the silent movie gestures and facial expressions Swanson used in her own films.

[4tunesfo]

She is better than Glen Close I didn't think I'd ever say that, but she is.

[earlady66]

The problem is with Close is she can't sing a demanding role as this.

[wntoply6]

try that susan boyle!

[paulostroff99]

She is show business! Brava! TY.C.

[jannieja]

One of the best performances in the history of Broadway. I saw Sunset Blvd live, twice. Great show.

[earlady66]

OMG! You are very, very lucky! I would give anything to see her live! Where did you see her? How wonderful...This video gives me goose bumps! Best performance...EVER!!!!

[laurapakora]

Shivers.

[parohelo]

I knew this lady only by name. She is quite amazing and I think she gives the very best rendition of the song. Barbra and Glenn watch out! Elaine Page should be the top contender if they ever make a movie out of this musical!

[gapmanjas]

I saw EP 4 times in SB ... still hold it as the best musical experience I've ever had (with her in Piaf being second).

[earlady66]

@gapmanjas How lucky you were to have seen her! I agree about PIaf. I would have loved to see her performance in that play. I love her recordings of Piaf music. I think she sings them now better than ever. Her voice is perfect for the range of those songs.

[livetheatre]

She is incredible...I saw her in concert at Hampton Court in the UK and made a special trip to NYC to see her in SB. We saw her in Sunset, Patti in Master Class and Donna Murphy in King and I...quite a trip. I believe she was the only Norma to sing it in the original key...Patti, Betty and of course glen all had it lowered.

[audaciousuk]

@livetheatre Actually, the Patti LuPone and Barbra Streisand recordings are both in F Major but subsequently from Glenn Close onwards, the official score has been in Eb Major which is two semitones down. That's a minimal change, though and there are no prizes for singing a song is as high a key as possible. So long as the artist is still able to sing the full range of notes, I see no problem in rescoring it to suit their voice.

[earlady66]

@livetheatre I believe you are correct about the key...especially With One Look.

[IceQueenLover]

This is the best rendition of this song that I have EVER heard. It never fails to send chills down my spine. I wish I could've seen her do this live.

[earlady66]

Even Andrew Lloyd Webber says it's the very best of all his songs! Love, Love, Love her...what a voice!

[ClassicMovieClub]

@IceQueenLover Elaine said on her show that she would love to do this show again! lets cross fingers she gets the opertunity

[pspruce18]

Perfection.

[deacaly]

Elaine......in this role was the best ever......I was there in theatre in 1995 and was one of the biggest emotion of my life!!! love!

[NSTFP]

For a real treat, watch the video of Elaine Paige signing, "If you love me", live from Stockholm, Sweden. Elaine Paige is only 4 feet 11 inches tall. How can a voice that big come out of a girl that tiny?! This is how I know God exists.

[icze09]

DLMBOSTON i really really AGREE with you... ELAINE PAIGE REALLY MADE THE LAST APPEARANCE in PERFORMING NORMA DESMOND MADE IT AS A HISTORY... SHE NAILED IT DOW TO THE VERY BOTTOM>.. NO ONE EVER DID SING ACT AND EXPRESSED NORMA DESMOND LIKE ELAINE PAIGE DID...

[NSTFP]

Permit me to paraphrase Lloyd Benson - Susan Boyle is no Elaine Paige - and never will be.

[EDAM2]

Amen to that!!!

[dismissed7]

The only Norma Desmond to me is Gloria Swanson. I know this is a musical based off the movie and all but Gloria's performance in that black and white can't be touched. I'm sorry...but she played that role.

[54nomore]

I agree w/Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber about this great and talented lady of musical theatre. Priceless!!

[osufan2]

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

[pussytoes7]

This remains the most extraordinary theatrical performance I have ever seen. Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens comes close. Ms. Paige left me in a weeping puddle! She is brilliant!

[tadger88]

Patti Lupone, Glenn Close and Petula Clark all failed to make an impact [as Norma Desmond] because they just don't have the power and range of Elaine Paige's magnificent voice. She might be tiny, but she sure packs a punch and knocks all her rival dead. Go girl!!!

[DLMBOSTON]

Ms. Paige is the BEST Norma Desmond. Her singing, Acting and movement made it so phenominal. Glenn was a great Actress, Betty was a great singer, Petula was great on stage, but Elaine WAS Norma Desmond. all for 4feet of her!!

[babs1983]

Elaine Paige in my humble opinion was the best Norma EVER!

[choon169]

Agreed !

[chersparkle]

Kidding????

[Kevierae]

Of all the "Norma's" she is the best! This is the version I will always love!

[angharadceri17]

She's amazing!