If the New York Times reviews Elaine Paige when she takes over the central role of Norma Desmond in Broadway's Sunset Boulevard in August, it could make Sunset Boulevard the single most-reviewed show in that newspaper's history, exclusive of revivals.
The London premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical (with Patti LuPone) was first reviewed by Frank Rich in his July 14, 1993 "Critic's Notebook" column. Vincent Canby then gave a full review to the Los Angeles production with Glenn Close on Dec. 19, 1993. When the show opened on Broadway with Close, David Richards wrote the official Times review on Nov. 18, 1994.
Vincent Canby re-reviewed Close in his Sunday column Nov. 27, 1994. Canby returned to the Minskoff Theatre to review Close's replacement, Betty Buckley on July 21, 1995.
Margo Jefferson also evaluated, if not exactly reviewed, the show in a Sunday Times piece on July 9, 1995.
If the Times reviews Paige, it will be at least the sixth (or seventh, depending how you count) review of the show from the newspaper of record. The Times used to have a policy of reviewing a show only once. This put transfers from off-Broadway at something of a disadvantage, though the Times sometimes re-ran the original review.
