HELEN SCHNEIDER, "SALOME" (GERMAN SUNSET BOULEVARD)

The divine Helen Schneider performs the definitive rendition of "Salome," Andrew Lloyd Webber's twisted lampoon of Strauss' opera as seen in his adaptation of the Billy Wilder noir classic.

This is from a 1997 production, when Helen Schneider came back to the show after a year long haitus, replacing Daniela Ziegler. Yngve Gasoy-Romdal remained in the show as Joe, replacing Uwe Kroeger who originated the role in Niedernhausen.

Naturally, I don't own this video. This is just a little treat for rabid SUNSET fans such as myself.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• helen
• schneider
• andrew
• lloyd
• webber
• broadway
• sunset
• boulevard
• salome
• musical
• film
• noir
• Niedernhausen

[MajorBarbara1955]

Strauss took his opera from a play by Oscar Wilde, which was made into a successful silent film starring Alla Nazimova (and also a film by Ken Russell, "Salome's Last Dance"). On the other hand, the "new and fresh" story he collaborates on with Betty was a stale old plot ("Box and Cox") from the 1880s English music hall. Talk about your irony.

[HouseOnSunset]

That's the beauty of the film and the show... There is so much subtle, biting irony...

[bm237]

This woman simply IS Norma Desmond! All of the other stage Normas have their strong-points, but Helen just exudes an understanding of the character that some of them don't quite seem to grasp, although Close and Paige are right up there for me. She's easily the greatest Norma since Gloria Swanson.

[sabanforever]

I worked there as dresser and she was, she is great. And he is also good

[traod8]

It's not the celebrities to fear...it's the FANS!

[emlodik]

WOW, you're SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO right! Uwe is a 100% heterosexual method actor who is known for his subtle and generous performances!

[DasMusicalWriter]

It really speaks a lot about Lloyd Webber when you feel that the music in the stage version should have been the score in the original film. And perhaps is even better than the original Franz Waxman score!

[HouseOnSunset]

Oh, lighten up! I like Uwe, learn to take a joke, jeez!

[Taaffifee]

Another ridicolous post about Uwe... You obviously know nothing about him (or how do you explain your "he was just waaaay too pissed"-comment about a role he still calls one of his favourites in over 20 years of career?). He is not pissed about anything, it's just his interpretation of the role! When you like other Joes better, fine! ALW loved him and so did many other people. Don't make him look like an arrogant idiot because of personal dislike!

[HouseOnSunset]

Yeah, lol. Christina really grew on me. She gave her Norma wit and confidence, yet didn't degenerate into sitcom cheese like Petula. But Uwe? Eck... I remember seeing a video of him and Daniela and he didn't seem all that into her either, which makes no sense, since Daniela was oozing raw sensuality. I guess Uwe was just waaaaay too pissed he had to take the backseat in this production and give another diva a chance to shine.

[FantineJavert]

lol. BEST. DEFINITION. EVER.

And here, here. I just got the Uwe/Christina video yesterday and the utter lack of connection between them is practically palpable. I like Uwe. I like Christina. But together in Sunset? Not really.

[emlodik]

Let me guess, you're just a bitter chorus boy, still pissed off over being fired for trying on one of Helen's turbans without permission? :-P