Why ‘Blvd.’ Came to End of Road in L.A.

Can we please get real: “Sunset Boulevard” did not close due to Faye Dunaway’s reported lack of singing ability. It closed because the show itself had no “legs” (“ ‘Sunset Blvd.’ to Be Closed; Dunaway’s Singing Faulted,” Section A, June 24).

Although the producers claimed an advance ticket sale of $4 million after Glenn Close’s departure, that figure amounts to little more than five weeks of sold-out houses.

Simply speaking, Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted a Big Movie Star for his stage extravaganza and got one in Close. Unfortunately, the usually astute Lloyd Webber may have outfoxed himself. It would have been far easier replacing a stage star like Patti LuPone, rather than a Big Movie Star like Close.

By promoting the show as a star vehicle, the producer boxed himself into a corner: Few people bought tickets beyond Close’s June 26 departure, a pattern that may very well be repeated when the show goes to New York.

If “Sunset Boulevard” had any real popularity on its own, any number of experienced musical theater stars in their 40s and 50s could have stepped in--they could have even pulled Betty Buckley from the London company, if only temporarily to keep the show going while another actress rehearsed.

As for Dunaway, this talented actress is simply the latest addition to a long list of screen actresses who ventured into musical theater with indifferent results: Bette Davis (twice), Katharine Hepburn, Vivien Leigh, Maureen O’Hara and so on.

RICHARD STEVENS

Los Angeles

To borrow a line from “Evita”: “And who would underestimate the actress now?” The answer to that question seems to be the musical’s composer, Lloyd Webber. First, he underestimated LuPone’s ability to carry “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway, when she had already proved herself by carrying the aforementioned “Evita” 10 years ago. Now, he has underestimated Dunaway’s ability to carry “Sunset Boulevard” in Los Angeles, and so he has decided to close the show.

In doing so, I believe he has also underestimated the theatergoing public of Los Angeles. I think that if he was really unhappy with Dunaway’s singing ability, he could have let Karen Mason, Close’s understudy, play the role until a suitable “name” or “star” was found. By deciding to close the show, Lloyd Webber has underestimated not only the Los Angeles theatergoing public’s patience but the show’s ability to hold its own as well.

MARCI SANDOVAL

San Gabriel

Close was a genius and riveting in “Sunset Boulevard.” What a performance!

As for her replacement--the show could have gone on. Was Shirley Jones even considered? If not, why not? She would have been perfect! JOSEPH A. PARRILLO

Palm Springs

How many more insults must we endure from the likes of Lloyd Webber? Why not send him and his formula musicals back to England? We don’t need him!

We, after all, produced the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch and more. Let’s look, for a change, into our own back yard for musical talent. There’s no need to continually turn our unscarred cheeks to Lloyd Webber for him to mask and entertain his personal phantoms, whatever they are!

REISS J. DuPLESSIS

Carson

Even though we have nominated her for Razzies six times in our 14-year history, and she has deservedly won twice (her over-the-top portrayal of Joan Crawford in “Mommie Dearest” still ranks as the penultimate Razzie performance), even we are shocked by the shabby treatment Dunaway has received at the hands of Lloyd Webber.

A gifted, feisty actress who is more than willing to take risks, Dunaway and her track record deserve a greater level of respect than that which Webber has afforded either her or LuPone.

We are likely among the last people Dunaway might expect to find in her corner, but we are rooting for her in any action she takes against Lloyd Webber. Go get ‘em, Norma Dearest!

JOHN WILSON, Head Razzberry

The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation

Sherman Oaks

Having been one of the unfortunate many who paid to see “Sunset Boulevard,” I can only envy those who will be lucky enough to be spared a miserable experience.

KEN MARCUS

Los Angeles

I can’t imagine why Dunaway was chosen to play Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard.” She wasn’t known as a singer. Ann Blyth would have been a more likely choice. I saw her during a light opera engagement in Long Beach several years ago, and she looked and sang beautifully.

ROBERT BOARD

Hollywood

Dunaway is being extremely charitable in her description of Lloyd Webber’s abrupt about-face (“Faye Dunaway Blasts ‘Capricious’ Lloyd Webber,” June 25).

Dunaway is a brilliant, dynamic performer who without doubt could have brought Desmond to life as no one has since Gloria Swanson. Lloyd Webber’s careless disregard for commitment makes one wonder how he ever achieved his apparent status in the theater world. BETTE AMSLER

Beverly Hills

Just reading between the lines, anyone with half a brain can tell that Lloyd Webber’s decision to close “Sunset Boulevard” had everything to do with money and nothing to do with Dunaway (“Why They Closed ‘Blvd.’ and Rode Into Sunset,” June 25). He cast her knowing how she sounded, and Dunaway, being the professional and perfectionist that she is, would be the first to pull out if she couldn’t do it.

Dunaway could talk-sing the role a la Rex Harrison and still become the definitive Desmond. So now Lloyd Webber has discarded and embarrassed both LuPone and Dunaway, not to mention depriving all of us from seeing these two great performances. JIM RADER

Sherman Oaks