Just what are Ex-'Sunset' cast members doing now? Ali Day investigates.

MICHAEL BALL
The first Sydmonton Joe Gillis was up to two concerts recently. One was the sold-out concert in Glasgow, where he sang "With One Look" and "Sunset Boulevard". The other concert was the "Passion" concert, which was recently released on CD. Having seen the show, I wouldn’t say that the CD nor the show itself are all too special, but the one additional track on the CD called "No One Has Ever Loved Me" is simply superb! I also heard a lot of dirt about Michael Ball, one claiming that he is going to appear on an upcoming issue of Playgirl magazine.

JOHN BARROWMAN
John was up to a lot lately…He first originated the role of Cal in "The Fix" which got splendid audience response but awful press reviews. The show closed, but thankfully a cast recording with the main songs came out. He recently played the role of Alex in "Aspects of Love" in Ireland, a production that wasn’t advertised at all! Lately, he produced his own solo album, which has songs of "Sunset Blvd", entitled "John Barrowman: Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber". John played Che in 'Evita' for a week in Oslo last November.

KRISTEN BEHRENDT
Joining the "Side Show" cast, Kristen was Emily Skinner’s standby. Kristen played Betty on Broadway on the last performance and last matinee, since Alice Ripley couldn’t attend because of her brother’s wedding. As I was told, Kristen is one of the best Betty’s ever. Because of "Side Show"’s short run, I don’t think that Kristen ever played the role. If she did, it was only for a few performances.

GRAHAM BICKLEY
London’s last Joe Gillis was last seen in a musical flop in London, called "Maddie". I would have seen it, but it closed before I had the chance. The show is based upon an 80’s movie starring Glenn Close, called "Roxie".

RON BOHMER
Ron’s solo CD, "Everyman" is already out. It features the title song from "Sunset". It also includes 'Seeing is Believing' from Aspects of Love sung with the leading lady of the national tours of Sunset and Aspects -  Linda Balgord. Until now, Ron is playing the role of the Phantom in the US national tour of "Phantom of the Opera", to mixed reviews.    More at The Offical Ron Bohmer Internet Site

BETTY BUCKLEY
Betty Buckley recently concluded her run in "Triumph of Love", which closed after a brief running period on Broadway. Sometime during the run, her new solo album came out, called "Much More". I also heard that the cast album of "Triumph of Love" is going to be made.

ALAN CAMPBELL
My least favorite Joe Gillis wasn’t up to much lately. I only heard that he appeared on TV after "Sunset" closed, and he sang "Too Much In Love To Care", along with Lauren Kennedy.
On my recent trip to England, a very unexpected thing happened. I popped out my monitor from my seat in the airplane, and the movie "A Simply Wish" was on. "A Simple Wish" is a modern fairy-like movie, telling a story about a young girl who, as the title suggests made a "simple wish". It’s a good movie with a lot of cute and silly scenes. Alan plays the part of a singing actor, who has frogs coming out of his mouth while he sings because of a spell laid upon him (as if the spell wasn’t there before the movie!). - Ali's opinion - don't blame Boulevard!

DIAHANN CARROLL
Most recently, Diahann had her own solo album out in the market called "Time of My Life". Since I don’t have the CD, I am afraid I can’t say any more.

GLENN CLOSE
Glenn’s last project was in a Hollywood movie called "Air Force 1", where she plays a US political figure. The story is about a hero-like US president, played by Harrison Ford. Glenn plays the Vice-President, and I must say that the girl can act!

CRISTINA GRIMANDI
Cristina is playing Madame Potts (Madame Potan) opposite Uwe Kroger in the Stuttgart production of "Beauty & The Beast".

ALICIA IRVING
Alicia was assigned to play Norma on Broadway, but eventually never did because the lack of leading-lady absences. Recently, she as well as involved in "Side Show".

HUGH JACKMAN
Now, I only heard this as a rumor, but I have to tell! I heard that Hugh is going to play Javert in the current Aussie production of "Les Miserables", when the current performing Javert leaves the cast. Other than that, I only saw a TV interview with him and he didn’t have to say much about future plans. But there is a rumor that he might star in the London production of "Oklahoma" that’s opening in the summer, to be directed by Trevor Nunn. Most recently, an album titled "Carols By Candelight" was released, and it includes songs sung by Hugh.

LAUREN KENNDEDY
The tour’s Betty Schaefer stood for Alice Ripley as Violet in "Side Show". I know, for a fact that she played Violet atleast once, because I read somewhere that the prices of tickets on that night she stepped in were reduced.

GLYN KERSLAKE
Glyn is still wowing audiences in both "Les Miserables" and "Martin Guerre" on the West End. I heard that Mr. Kerslake is going to play Arnaud De Thil until the show closes, his last performance being the matinee of the 28th of Febuary. After that he will concluded his contract in "Les Miserables", playing Enjolras (full time). Until then, I heard that he is going to produce yet another solo album.

UWE KROGER
The original German Joe Gillis is now in his second month run of the Stuttgart production of "Beauty & The Beast", where he plays the lead role of the Beast. Watch out for a cast recording!

ANITA LOUISE COMBE
My favorite Betty Schaefer will soon start rehearsing for the London production of "Saturday Night Fever", the stage adaptation of the John Travolta movie. She is joined in the cast with famed André Garcia.

PATTI LUPONE
La LuPone is currently on the big-white-way in the play "The Old Neighbourhood".

KAREN MASON
Last public appearance was a New Year’s Eve concert, in LA. Before that in a short while, it was a Broadway fund raiser cabaret-show, with other few Broadway actors.

MARIA MERCADES
Now, here’s someone to talk about. I keep hearing that her solo CD which will feature atleast two songs from "Sunset" is coming out really soon. I heard that she appeared on a Xmas celebration singing carols with big Aussie names, including her leading man Hugh Jackman.

ELAINE PAIGE
I have heard too many things about her. After "Sunset", Ms. Paige appeared in a Boston Pops Concert, which was aired on US TV. I just heard that she is due to play a lead role in a straight play in London, sometime very soon. Her upcoming appearance would be in an opening of a theater in New Zealand, which also features a lot of other guest stars and celebrities. Rumors have been circulating, saying that she is to produce an album soon, and that she will star in the Broadway production of "Piaf" this year.

ALICE RIPLEY
Alice Ripley got fabulous notices for her role, Violet in "Side Show", which opened (and closed) recently on Broadway. Joining Alice is another wonderful singer, Emily Skinner. The show tells the story of two Siamese twins. The cast recording is out, and I highly recommend it!!! There has been rumors floating around that Alice might be nominated for a Tony!

HELEN SCHNEIDER
Helen just concluded her run in "Sunset Blvd", her final performance being the 31st of January.