Show Synopsis:
Joe Gillis is struggling to write another Hollywood screenplay and runs from the car repossession agents looking for his payments. He pulls into the garage of an old mansion, which turns out to belong to the former silent film star Norma Desmond. Norma was out of a job when talking pictures became popular but wants to return in a role much too young for her in a self-written film. Joe offers to revise the script for room and board, which takes several months. He begins to fall in love with a Paramount script editor named Betty, despite her engagement to his best friend Artie, but Norma falls for Joe and gives him a complete makeover. She becomes very controlling and forces him to stay with her and sleep with her. Norma realizes that Joe is infatuated with Betty, but Joe realizes that Norma could do harm to Betty and tells Betty to stay with Archie. He tries to leave Norma?s house to return to his family home in Ohio and tells her she will never be a star again, and Norma shoots him. The police arrive to arrest Norma as she descends even further into insanity.
Character:
Norma Desmond, a middle-aged and rich eccentric former silent film star; obsessed with fame and her fans but also longs for romance.
Song Context:
Joe makes a remark about Norma's failing career, and she begins to tell him her version of the downfall of silent pictures to the talkies.
Fun Facts:
1) This musical was based on the 1950 film of the same name, which is based on real-life experiences of silent film stars who lost work when Hollywood started concentrating on making talking films.
2) Patti LuPone and Betty Buckley both played Norma during different parts of the original West End run of the musical and were both nominated for Olivier Awards for their performances. Neither of them won the award.
3) The character of Norma is rumored to have been based on the real-life Norma Talmadge, a silent film star who struggled with the rise of talkies and became a wealthy recluse when no one was interested in working with her anymore.
"With one look I can break your heart.
With one look I play every part,
I can make your sad heart sing.
With one look you'll know all you need to know.
With one smile, I'm the girl next door
Or the love that you've hungered for.
When I speak, it's with my soul.
I can play any role.
No words can tell the stories my eyes tell.
Watch me when I frown, you can't write that down!
You know I'm right, it's there in black and white.
When I look your way, you'll hear what I say.
Yes, with one look I put words to shame.
Just one look sets the screen aflame.
Silent music starts to play.
One tear in my eye makes the whole world cry.
With one look, they'll forgive the past.
They'll rejoice I've returned at last.
To my people in the dark
Still out there in the dark -
Silent music starts to play!
With one look you'll know all you need to know.
With one look, I'll ignite a blaze.
I'll return to my glory days.
They'll say, ""Norma's back at last!""
This time I am staying, I'm staying for good.
I'll be back to where I was born to be!
With one look, I'll be me!"