Alice Ripley – Ready for her Close-up in 'Sunset Boulevard'

When Alice Ripley opened in "Next to Normal" on Broadway a decade ago, New York Times critic Ben Brantley wrote: "As for the Mom that everyone loves and loathes, Ms. Ripley is giving what promises to be the musical performance of the season. Her achingly exposed-seeming face and sweet, rawness-tinged voice capture every glimmer in Diana's kaleidoscope of feelings. Anger, yearning, sorrow, guilt and the memory of what must have been love seem to coexist in every note she sings."

It was an extraordinary performance that won the Tony Award; but it wasn't her first nomination. That came in 1998 when she shared one with her co-star, Emily Skinner, for their performances as the conjoined Hilton Sisters in the cult musical "Side Show." Ms. Ripley and Ms. Skinner became so identified with those roles, despite the musical's short Broadway run, that they put together a cabaret show – "Unattached" – which they performed in New York numerous times and recorded.

On her own, Ms. Ripley has appeared in the original Broadway casts of "The Who's Tommy," "Sunset Boulevard," "American Psycho" and "James Joyce's The Dead," as well as the 2000 revival of "The Rocky" Horror Show," where she played Janet, and a stint in the long-running "Les Mis�rables" as Fantine. She has also recorded albums with her band RIPLEY and as a solo artists, most notably with "Alice Ripley Daily Practice, Volume 1," a stripped-down collection of acoustic rock covers.

In the upcoming weeks, Ms. Ripley returns to "Sunset Boulevard," this time, though, as the show's legendary lead – Norma Desmond at the North Shore Music Theatre September 24 through October 6. (For more information, visit the North Shore Music Theatre website.

Based on Billy Wilder's cynical 1950 melodrama, "Sunset Boulevard" followed the comeback of a silent film star in Postwar Hollywood. The film starred Gloria Swanson as Desmond in a role that rejuvenated her career, though it may have hit to close for comfort. The 1994 musical adaptation, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, was one of the last, oversized British musicals that came to Broadway in the last decades of the past century. Glenn Close turned it into her signature role (returning to it in 2017 with rumors of a film version in the near future); but other actresses, including Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige and Diahann Carroll, have played the role with much acclaim.

Joining Ms. Ripley at the North Shore Music Theatre are Nicholas Rodriguez (previously at the theater as the Prince in "Cinderella" and Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar"); Lizzie Klemperer (previous seen at NSMT as Eponine in "Les Mis�rables"); William Michals, Kevin Massey and Neal Mayer. Kevin P. Hill directs and choreographs.

EDGE spoke to Ms. Ripley recently about playing a legendary Hollywood diva in the musical.

A perfect fit

EDGE: What was your immediate reaction to being cast as Norma Desmond?

Alice Ripley Very excited! And a little bit of disbelief, because there is always the chance that they will say, "oh, we changed our mind." Nothing is for sure until you sign the contract. Since I found out, I have been in this dream state where I have to pinch myself to make sure it is real.

EDGE: How would you describe the relationship between you and Norma?

Alice Ripley We are very much alike. It's really a perfect fit. It feels like someone gave me a vintage dress and it fit me like a glove. I feel more like Norma than most characters that I have played.

EDGE: What did Norma Desmond teach you?

Alice Ripley I just started playing her so if she has taught me anything its been through osmosis of watching other people do it. I am only a week into rehearsal, so I don't know really what she is yet, but from what I have learned from watching others. There is a freedom of expression. Norma doesn't hide anything unless she wants too. Everything is deliberate. There is a little bit of a spilt personality going on and that is fun to play as an actor. She is teaching me how to do that.

EDGE: How have you worked to find humanity in Norma's character?

Alice Ripley For me, it is very clear. I really do think I am more like Norma. She is a way for me to express my humanity through her. Norma could not do what I do, because she doesn't have the capacity. We do have many things in common – we both live alone, I wear my prescription sunglasses in my house, and I am an actor.

Favorite song?

EDGE: How did you and Nicholas Rodriguez (who plays Joe Gillis) go about creating a relationship?

Alice Ripley There is a playfulness. The key is to look at the other actor. The actor is playing the character, so it has to be the right physical person that is looking at you. I do think that we have all the right people in the right places. We have a cast of strong actors. Nicholas is absolutely wonderful! He offers an unwavering glaze and he listens. He makes my job easy. He shows up and does his job perfectly.

EDGE: What's your favorite song to perform in the show?

Alice Ripley I was the original Betty on Broadway, which a lot of people don't know and always thought that maybe someday I will get a chance to play her. My favorite song is "As If We Never Said Goodbye." The reason is because of the way it is staged. It is so satisfying to play. I have been singing this song for a few years now. In my cabaret shows, I like to sing songs from the shows that I have been in and in "Sunset Boulevard" I didn't have my own song. So, I took this song and tell the story of how I used to watch the Normas (Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, and Elaine Paige) sing this from the wings.

EDGE: What do you remember most about the movie "Sunset Boulevard"?

Alice Ripley I love the movie! I love Gloria Swanson and the pictures of Norma that are everywhere. Not going to give it away, but you will see the pictures of Norma in this production. You are not going to miss them. Gloria is a delight, cute and charming that you just don't get to see in the musical. I am stealing as much of that light-hearted feeling that you got from the movie.

EDGE: If you could ask Gloria Swanson anything about the role what would it be?

Alice Ripley I would ask her if she thinks that I am anyway near where I should be as Norma. I would ask her to coach me. I would also ask her about the chimp in the movie. I have some ideas about it, and I have been told some things about it. Maybe it was a pet, just not sure. It's a big mystery. I would also want to know how she lived day-to-day. I really would want to know the mundane things about her life.

EDGE: Ms. Ripley, are you ready for your close-up?

Alice Ripley How close are you going to get? [she laughs] Is it in a HD lens? In the theatre, it doesn't matter if you're ready. It's ready or not. When you're in movies, you can say "I am ready." In the theatre, you just throw the spaghetti on the wall and see where it lands. You are living the experience, mistakes and all.

Alice Ripley stars in "Sunset Boulevard" at the North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly , MA from September 24 through October 4. For more information, OUT AT THE NORTH SHORE: An evening for the LGBTQ Community including a post-show reception with the cast at The Backstage Bistro will be on THURSDAY, October 3 at 7:30pm.

For more information on Alice visit, her website.

Watch Alice Ripley perform "As If I Never Said Goodbye" from "Sunset Boulevard":