If you were an Eldergay living in LA, you were probably at the opening night of 'Sunset Boulevard' starring the one and only Glenn Close. Yes, Glenn Close accepted the role in the revamped musical (the London version was getting panned), after first choice Shirley Maclaine backed out, as did Diana Ross and Michele Lee. ( Those three actresses were spotted in the audience on opening night).
Unlike the West End production starring Patti Lupone which opened five months earlier, this production and Close won rave reviews. Critics loved Close in the role, and loved the changes made to the show. It was no surprise when Close was named as the actress who would be opening the Broadway production the following year, and not Lupone (ALW insisted it was at the directions of his investors as to why he made the change).
The rest is history.