Dear Fellow Rats,
It was bound to happen... Sunset Boulevard at last. After catching the film at the Metrograph (yes, I’m that kind of rat), I scurried over to a matinee—gasp—of the Broadway revival with Nicole and Tom.
Curiosity was high: could the stage version hold a candle to Wilder’s original? And more importantly, what exactly had Jamie Lloyd’s camera-obsessed vision done to the bones of the text?
Some rats reached out and said they didn’t like scores, they felt is was reductive. Instead stage rat is now endeavoring to compare to items he has scurried across the NYC street - do we like or not? If you’re enjoying these please share with your fellow rats… 🐀
THE RAT’S RECOMMENDATION:
“Sunset Boulevard”
What is it like: A sip of discarded vodka bottle strewn on the sidewalk of The Plaza
Description:
A stark, stylized revival of Sunset Boulevard that transforms Hollywood grandeur into a haunting meditation on fame, delusion, and the performance of identity.
Why you should care?
Minimalism – Jamie Lloyd is known for his minimalism and iconic stripped-back productions. This set is mostly haze and stark white lighting for the entire show. I enjoyed the monochromatic palette, but it felt hollow—like the absence of opulence left a void where the house, a key character in the original text, should’ve been. Maybe that’s the point. Still, I found myself craving a single lavish prop or moment to break through the wasteland of restraint.
Standout Performances – Nicole brought a grandiosity, strength, and silly playfulness that made Norma Desmond feel truly otherworldly. Her voice is a powerhouse—well worth the price of admission. Tom Francis gave it his all at a matinee and absolutely delivered. Their performances were electric, even if the dense, text-heavy score occasionally pushed diction (and basic comprehension) to its limits.
Camera Work – Like it or not, cameras have arrived on Broadway. (See: The Picture of Doratian Gray for more.) In this case, it made sense: a play about image and moviemaking. The titles at the opening, that famous street-walking shot—it worked, even if it made you go “cool... but why?” I liked seeing the actors’ eyes up close. In such a barren set, the live feed helped bring some much-needed visual texture.
Bold Directing – This production was swinging for the fences. It felt modern, edgy, and intentionally cinematic. The performances had weight, and the camera work—while divisive—felt mostly seamless and fresh.
Who to Bring –
Your ex who still thinks they’re the main character despite peaking during a student short film. The friend who calls every nervous breakdown "camp." Your mom, who once told a waitress she “used to look like Ava Gardner” (she didn’t). And that delusional acquaintance who’s one unpaid acting class away from a full Norma Desmond spiral—they’ll leave thinking it was a documentary.
Have you seen it? What's your rating?
Until next week, keep it dramatic, keep it ratty, and always aim for center stage! 🐀✨.
P.S. Thanks for being part of this weird rat family. Please reply to this email and let us rats know how we are doing?
With lots of Ratitude,
The Stage Rat