LINDA BALGORD - 1st US - "With One Look"

Here is Linda Balgord's first big scene as Norma during the ill fated 1st US tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard." Miss Balgord may not be a "star," but by the end of "With One Look," no one in the audience really cares! Ron Bohmer is your better than average Joe and Ed Dixon is a superb Max! Take note that the set is a bit different; it's more compact and the staircase is a bit different in design (so that it would be easier to stow in smaller theatres.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sunset
• Boulevard
• Linda
• Balgord
• Ron
• Bohmer
• Andrew
• Lloyd
• Webber
• Musical
• Broadway
• West
• End

[Sampiro]

Could you explain what you mean by "ill fated 1st U.S. Tour" please? I'm very familiar with the play but know nothing of what happened on that tour.

I'll admit I'm not that familiar with Linda Balgord (as in not at all til your videos) but she's awesome. IMHO her only competition is Lupone.

[HouseOnSunset]

@Sampiro The 1st US Tour was a major flop and closed down in less than year after about five venues. Linda Balgord was ripped apart by the bitchy fans and film critics for not being a household name and encouraged theatre goers to ignore the touring production because it did not have a "star" attached. This was partly responsible for the loss of money (and RUG's insistence of keeping the tour 99% like the stationary productions.)

[HouseOnSunset]

@Sampiro Less than a year after the 1st US Tour shut down, the pretentious mess directed/revised by Susan H. Shulman opened in Pittsburgh. It toured through more obscure venues for 18 month, using footage/stills from Petula's run in the original London production and only lasting three/four days in each venue so the audience wouldn't catch on they were being duped. Of course, rabid Lloyd Webber bashers immediately branded the tour "awesome" just because it was so far removed from RUG.

[haywirea]

I saw this tour in Minneapolis...but Linda Balgord was out and her understudy Fiama Fricano was on. It's nice to finally see Linda's performance. She's great.

[HouseOnSunset]

Anyone would be better than Petunia le Klerk!

[haywirea]

I wonder why they cast Petula? Surely they could've found a better star....

[HouseOnSunset]

Nope, they COULDN'T. That's the point, they couldn't find any other "name" actress who's name would sell tickets. If they didn't push the whole "star vehicle" aspect of the show, this never would've happened and actresses like Linda Balgord and Christina Grimandi would've got the respect and honor they deserved for their work in the show.

[onlyalittlewicked]

What an absolutely amazing performance. She is my second favorite, only second to Paula Scrofano from the 1st regional production at the marriott theater in Liconshire, IL

[caseyjay231]

BRAVO!

[dfwjac]

I was at one of the less known venues for the secpnd tour. I worked at the performance venue. Petula earned herself the nickname of "Petulant Clark" among those working behind the scenes. She shriek/screamed the songs, usually off pitch. it was painful.

[sailormann1]

@haywirea

I saw this tour in The Cities (Orpheum) too-Balgord singing. Awesome. Stentorian voice.

@ Sampiro-- agree w. HouseOnSunset--- 1st US ultimately was a flop. I read that part of the reason was the massive size of the set...which was amazing in the MN 1st US Tour show that I saw. I think the show required 15 or so semi-trailers (equivalent 15 of those huge, 53 foot'er United Van Lines moving vans you may see on the interstates) just to move from city to city. Way expensive to move.

[YooToobPatrol]

She's a fine enough actress for the role but she's consistently sharp. She's pushing harder than she needs to. Thanks for posting this though! It's greatly appreciated!

[oneworldguy]

She is quite passionate in this role. There are parts here and there where I didn't like the vibrato in her voice. Overall, she was very good! I did happen to see Petula Clark's interpretation as well and I enjoyed that thoroughly as well. Petula's Norma struck me as the alcholic delusional type of woman who was just not in touch with the fact that Norma was too old, etc. Linda's portrayal seems more just insane delusional. Glenn was very dark in her portrayal.

[ramona2400]

lINDA THOUGH NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME WAS FABULOUS IN THIS PERFORMANCE - ONE OF THE BEST NORM'S HOWEVER IS DIAHANN CARROLL HER RENDITIONS OF THE SUNSET SONGS IS THE BEST HER BEAUTY AND ACTING PERFECT FOR THIS PART

[Mgcian55]

Soooo true.