"Applause" vs. "Sunset Boulevard" Quiz

Answer: Both

"Applause" had as its source the film "All About Eve," which premiered on October 13, 1950. "All About Eve" grossed $4,200,000 in its initial run and went on to win six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor.

"Sunset Boulevard" was based on the film of the same name, which premiered on August 10, 1950. "Sunset Boulevard" grossed $2,500,000 in its initial run and garnered three Oscars, including Best Writing.

Answer: Applause

"Applause" moved its story to the then-present (1970), and is full of topical allusions to the period. (There are references to Pearl Bailey, gay bars, and television commercials.)

According to its libretto, "Sunset Boulevard" is set in 1949/1950, the same timeframe as its source movie. (There are references to Adolphe Menjou, Schwab's, and RKO).

Answer: Neither

When "Applause" was first conceived, the concept was to turn Margo Channing, the lead character of "All About Eve," from a dramatic star into a musical star. (Ethel Merman was penciled in for the lead.) However, that soon died out and Margo was presented as a straight dramatic actress, just like in "All About Eve."

Norma Desmond, the leading character of the film "Sunset Boulevard," was a fading star of silent movies, which is exactly how she is portrayed in the musical version. In the 1960s, Stephen Sondheim was approached about doing a musical version of the film which would star Angela Lansbury, but he declined, stating that the only proper way to tell the story of "Sunset Boulevard" as musical theatre would be as an opera.

Answer: Both

In both original movies, the leading character had a sexual relationship with a younger man. Margo Channing ("All About Eve") was in love with her director Bill Sampson, although her jealousy and the difference in their ages caused a great deal of tension. Norma Desmond ("Sunset Boulevard") enjoyed sexual pleasure with Joe Gillis, who was around thirty years her junior.

Both of these relationships were carried over to their respective musical versions, although "Applause" seemed to de-emphasize the age difference between Margo and Bill while "Sunset Boulevard" seemed to place more emphasis on the vast difference in age between Norma and Joe.

Answer: Both

"Applause" opened on Broadway with Lauren Bacall; "Sunset Boulevard" opened with Glenn Close. "Applause" was Miss Bacall's musical debut on Broadway; Miss Close had previously been in "Barnum" and "Rex."

Answer: Both

When the producers of "Applause" decided to send the show on the road with its original star, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth was announced as her replacement. Unfortunately, Miss Hayworth was in the early stages of what was ultimately diagnosed as Alzheimer's disease and had to withdraw. The role of Margo then went to Anne Baxter, who had been in "All About Eve."

"Sunset Boulevard" had opened first in London, and it was announced that the star there, Patti LuPone, would open the show on Broadway as well. However, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of the show, got disenchanted with the less than sensational reviews Miss LuPone had received and decided that "Sunset Boulevard" would open on Broadway with Glenn Close, the star of the Los Angeles company of the show. According to Wikipedia, Miss LuPone sued Lloyd Webber for breach of contract and won about $1 million in damages.

Coincidentally, Mr. Lloyd Webber also fired his original choice to replace Miss Close in the Los Angeles company, Faye Dunaway. She also sued, although it is unclear what settlement she received.

Answer: Both

The film "All About Eve" begins with an awards show and then reverts to "about a year ago," according to the script; the film "Sunset Boulevard" opens with Norma Desmond killing Joe Gillis and then reverts to several months earlier.

Both these openings are carried forward to the musical version; with "The Sarah Siddons Awards" of "All About Eve" transformed into The Tony Awards for "Applause."

"Sunset Boulevard" (both film and musical) returns to its opening scene just before its end; "All About Eve" returns there as well. "Applause" does not.

Answer: Sunset Boulevard

While the original Broadway production of "Applause" had serviceable sets that were created by Robert Randolph; the sets that John Napier created for the original Broadway production of "Sunset Boulevard" were truly awe-inspiring. They included meticulous creations of Norma Desmond's Hollywood mansion and a Hollywood movie set. In fact, many stated the best thing about "Sunset Boulevard" was its lavish sets, and the show was dubbed by wags "Some Set Boulevard."

In fact, to keep expenses down, the touring production of "Sunset Boulevard" used sets that were far more simple than on Broadway.

Answer: Sunset Boulevard

Well-known director Cecil B. DeMille (known for his religious epics) was a character in the musical "Sunset Boulevard." (In its source movie, he had played himself.) In the musical, he is shown on the set of "Samson and Delilah," which was an actual movie that he directed.

Although "Applause" had numerous references to celebrities, all of its characters were fictional. However, in its title number, it did reference several Broadway productions, past and present.

Answer: Both

At a party scene in "Applause," the guests play a party game where they have to play famous figures. One of them is assigned the great lover Rudolf Valentino. In "Sunset Boulevard," (also, by coincidence, a party scene), Norma mentions that she had her floors waxed because Valentino informed her it was better to dance the tango.