Theatre Guild of Hampden, Wilbraham-Monson Academy
through March 16, 2013
by Walt Haggerty
...and now, "Sunset Boulevard" is ready for its
close-up! In the supremely capable hands of Director Mark Giza, Theatre Guild
of Hampden is giving this difficult Andrew Lloyd Weber classic a production
that is amazing.
For more than six decades, the singular character of
Norma Desmond has been a challenge to actresses of both stage and screen. Norma
was a star of the silent screen - a BIG star. Now she wants to return. To
tackle the role of Desmond an actress must have a rare combination of gifts, a
credible singing voice, and exceptional acting ability, capped with the looks
of a faded beauty.
In Anna Giza's performance as Norma, all these gifts and
more are there, in abundance. Giza gives an unforgettable bravura portrayal of
that faded actress determined to "return" to the screen. Her
electrifying performance throbs with desperation. Her Norma reaches deep below
the surface as she uses everything at her disposal to draw a complete character
- her eyes, her mouth, voice, arms thrust upwards, fingers grasping, caressing
- everything is used and everything works. Beyond that, she performs Weber's
two glorious arias, "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said
Goodbye" like a diva. Giza IS Desmond, and she is extraordinary.
Josiah Durham's Joe Gillis, a screenwriter who has hit
bottom, grasps at straws for survival. Durham convincingly capture Gillis' easy
slide into acceptance of the benefits of being "a kept man" until he
suddenly realizes what has happened to him and tries to escape. Kiernan
Rushford, as Betty Schaeffer, Gillis' new love interest, is a perfect young
innocent finding that love has crept into what had been simply a "business
relationship." The pair is excellent in their "Too Much in Loved to
Care" duet.
As Max Van Mayerling, Michael Lorenzo is excellent;
giving his character a taught, even threatening, treatment. The deft direction
of the production permits even minor characters to have complete personalities.
Sets and costumes are superior, particularly the endless series of hats, gowns
and ensembles worn by Giza in a virtual fashion Parade of 1920s Hollywood
style.
Theatre Guild of Hampden deserves extra bows for meeting
the many challenges of "Sunset Boulevard." Bravo!
