Andrew Lloyd Webber, the creator of popular but not universally acclaimed musicals such as "Cats," "Evita" and "The Phantom of the Opera," may have his detractors, but Billy Wilder isn't one of them.
Wilder, who wrote and directed the 1950 cinematic classic "Sunset Blvd." on which the musical is based, says he wishes the English director well during the play's Los Angeles run."I hope he makes lots and lots of money," Wilder said in his characteristic pull-no-punches style.
Wilder, who saw "Sunset Boulevard" when it debuted in London, offered only praise for the Los Angeles production, now playing at the Shubert Theatre in Century City, Calif.
"It's gotten better and better," said Wilder, who attended opening night and a charity preview by multimillionaire Marvin Davis and his wife, Barbara.
Wilder, who acknowledges having given pointers to the play's producers after seeing the London production, refused to take credit for any improvements or elaborate on any of the suggestions.
"My contribution was close to zero," he said. "I just talked to them like a normal theatergoer. Maybe they took one or two suggestions. I don't know."
Wilder praised Glenn Close, who stars as the faded silent film star Norma Desmond.
"She was sensational," he said of the actress, who is new to the production. Patti LuPone, formerly Evita on Broadway and recently star of ABC's drama series "Life Goes On," played the dangerously deluded actress in London.
"Her voice is an opera voice," Wilder said of Close. "Everything is clean and clear."
He was less enthusiastic about Alan Campbell in the role of Joe Gillis, the screenwriter who falls into Desmond's web.
"They're all good," Wilder said. "But you're used to (William) Holden. You long for him."
He also expressed nostalgia for the other casting coups that have been credited for the movie's success.
"We were lucky to have (the silent-movie director) Erich von Stroheim, (director Cecil B.) DeMille, (silent-screen actors) Buster Keaton and H.B. Warner," he said.
"But it's all gone now."