Aarons last
Aarons last
GardenOfEden
Chorus Member Joined: 1/18/05
#1Aarons last
Posted: 1/3/10 at 10:52pm
Just got back from it...WOW! Had only seen the show at 2nd Stage and EARLY in previews, and WOW has it become AMAZING. The audience's energy (and vocal response) from moment the lights when down was great, starting with a healthy ovation for Aaron's entrance. He was wonderful and giving all he had. His I'm Alive was thrilling. Ripley was of course genius. Julia is giving such an honest and beautiful performance (having a teen sister myself). The kid who plays Henry has become so much more present and strong in his final scene. The doctor is still really solid. But for me the show belonged to J Robert Spencer in that final moment with Gabe. Its unreal to think he does that 8 shows a week. Maybe it was the emotion of the night or maybe he really is that remarkable, but that is what Broadway was about tonight.
I wish I could speak more in detail about any special moments that happened differently, but it really was unforgettable night!
Will O'Donnell
Understudy Joined: 11/21/09
#2Aarons last
Posted: 1/3/10 at 10:54pmI missed out on Aaron because I wet over the summer, it makes me sad. The cast is awesome though, my friend said the teenage daughter might be involved in the maybe-revival of Carrie, but I think that's old news.
#2Aarons last
Posted: 1/3/10 at 10:58pmI heard the fangirls/boys were in hysterics at intermission.
#3Aarons last
Posted: 1/3/10 at 10:59pm
Julia is giving such an honest and beautiful performance (having a teen sister myself).
1. Her name is Jennifer
2. A lot of people have teen sisters. What's your point?
my friend said the teenage daughter might be involved in the maybe-revival of Carrie, but I think that's old news.
Jennifer played Sue in the recent reading of the show.
MusicSnob1
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/09
#4Aarons last
Posted: 1/3/10 at 11:03pm
"I missed out on Aaron because I wet over the summer, it makes me sad"
Oh, GOD...
yankee_fan907
Leading Actor Joined: 10/14/06
#6Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:26amAs I said on another thread, the performance was absolutely electric. I was so glad I spent the money. My seat was perfect - 5th row exact center mezzanine. Will, it's a shame you missed Aaron's performance, as it was really something. "Maybe (Next to Normal)" and the "I Am the One" reprise were the two most heart-wrenching moments of the night. The curtain call was incredible. The only unfortunate thing was that Aaron, even on his last night, didn't come out of the stage door to sign for all of his fans. I agree with Garden that is was unforgettable.
#7Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:32am
"The audience's energy (and vocal response) from moment the lights when down was great,"
Which is exactly why I stayed as far away from this performance as I could. If I wanted to hear a bunch of fan girls go apeshlt crazy screaming and shouting every five seconds, ruining hundreds of other peoples experience at the theater because they love him and need to show him (and in the process throw him and everyone else on the stage off), I can just go and see Wicked any night of the week.
Those "fans" make me sick.
yankee_fan907
Leading Actor Joined: 10/14/06
#8Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:37amJordan, there was not "a bunch of fan girls go apeshlt crazy screaming and shouting every five seconds, ruining hundreds of other peoples experience." The applause in between numbers was louder than usual, and there was some cheering. But at no point during the night did the audience cover up any parts of the show. It was very tasteful. The atmosphere was perfect, and it was an unforgettable night at the theater. Save your judgments for performances you've ACTUALLY seen.
#9Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:38am
Well I guess we'll just see for ourselves when we can see it on youtube tomorrow.
#10Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:45amWhen Aaron 'take something off' did you hear squeals from the audience or anything? (I'm just curious)
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
yankee_fan907
Leading Actor Joined: 10/14/06
#12Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:47amThere was some stuff going on when he comes out in his boxers at the beginning. But other than that, it was pretty tame. It wasn't like, 0mG hee t00k 0ff hiz sw34tsh1rtz..!
#13Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:47amYeah I found it annoying when it happened but yankee_fan pretty much summed it up perfectly..i don't feel that my experience was ruined
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
#14Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:48amYeah...and did anyone notice he usually take the towel off around his shoulders but didn't tonight?
yankee_fan907
Leading Actor Joined: 10/14/06
#15Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 1:49amI hate to say it, but David's speech wasn't all that great. It was basically what you'd expect. It was the overall excitement and Aaron's reactions that made it worth it.
#16Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:23am
I thought it was a beautiful performance and that aside from the yelling when he came out in the boxers and towel, everyone was pretty well behaved. I have to admit I had thought before I went in that I was worried there would be too much oogling and I didn't want that to ruin the show but honestly it didn't. His applause at the start was nice (and seeing as I was sat directly in front of where he enters you could see him smile right before he walked forward to speak, which was sweet). He did seem to be completely in the moment and the curtain call was appropriately done, giving him the last bow and the speech and things. He looked like he truly appreciated it and was moved and thankful for the recognition.
Having always heard about the next to normal fangirls, I was very pleased at the way it went, it was a good send off for him and not obnoxious at all.
Though for me, no one else could ever really be Gabe.
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
#17Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:39am
It truly was beautiful as everyone has been saying...His huge applause when the lights dimmed before he entered was appropriate and well received. From where I was in Mezz row B I could see him smiling a little...the applause was so loud, you could not hear his first "what are you doing, it's 2:30", line...But Aaron was in the zone the entire show...I have heard of him being in auto pilot...but this was my 3rd time seeing the show, and he was not like that at all, I've never seen him like that. I was very surprised by how well the audience behaved. Aaron did not take off his neck towel in "Just Another Day", but that did not seem to be a huge issue. His "I've Alive" was one of the bests I've ever seen. He truly put all his energy in one last time. The applause's, if did happen were light, and not show stopping as I thought they would be. The show was very normal until the end. When the reprise of I am the one started that was when I began to cry, others were sniffling...you knew this was it. Bobby could barely get out his "Gabe" and the two were holding on to each other for dear life. Light was pretty normal...there was really no applause until the end of the song...
As Everyone said bows were different...Louis went, then Adam, skipped Aaron, Jenn, Bobby, Alice...everyone stepped back and Aaron bowed solo. He was visibly crying and shaken up...He had been crying off and on through out the show.
David Stone slowly walked out...He began to tell everyone who he was and that it was Aaron's last show. He said that everyone including Aaron had been soo dedicated to the show from workshops to off broadway, to washington and back to broadway. He wanted to thank Aaron...and said this was the first role Aaron originated and he was glad it was Gabe. He went on to say that many people know Aaron for movie, TV...but hopefully most improtantly on stage...then said he hoped Aaron would be back on Broadway soon...& Aaron shouted something along the lines of "please". He was grinning and blowing kisses. It was beautiful. When David was done the entire cast looked around then all put their arms around each other and hugged. They walked off that way...Aaron jumped up and down and waved before he left the stage... He really appreciated everything. Everything I had been hearing about him turning into a very full of them self person, was impossible to believe tonight.
Hands down best night of theater of my life in my almost 19 years alive.
Nobody stage doored...I assume the wind/celebrating Aaron. Stagedoor was a mob! No barricades...that should have been the clue no stagedoor.
I thought I saw Michael Grief there...not sure. No sign of Brian & Tom.
But truly, truly amazing.
Updated On: 1/4/10 at 02:39 AM
#18Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:41amTom Kitt was there, he was seated in the mid orchestra. I saw him at intermission.
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
#19Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:43am
Oh interesting...Wish he could of spoke too...
I thought Michael was 2nd row orch on the left...was it or was it his doppelganger?
yankee_fan907
Leading Actor Joined: 10/14/06
#20Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:46amIf you stuck around long enough, both Jenn and Bobby came out the stage door. I only stuck around until about 10:45 when the rumor was Aaron had left. It's possible others could have come out after that.
#21Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:47amUmmm not second row. I was in the second row orchestra left side and across the aisle from me was a woman. He may have been in the area but I didn't really notice...probably because I wasn't looking for him really, so I'm not saying he wasn't, just that I didn't notice him.
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
#22Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 2:52am
Yeah I wanted to stick around but I kinda wanted to believe that guy...Maybe if it hadn't been soo cold I would of...I have seen the show 3 times now & not met Alice...met everyone else...
& I saw a man resembling Michael Grief in that area with a teenager...hmmm we'll never know lol.
I wonder if someone video'd David's speech :)
#23Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 3:09am
"When the reprise of I am the one started that was when I began to cry, others were sniffling...you knew this was it. Bobby could barely get out his "Gabe" and the two were holding on to each other for dear life."
I was fine through the show until that part when I lost it. Beautiful moment.
Terri Hatcher was at the show as well.
ILuv2shop531
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
#24Aarons last
Posted: 1/4/10 at 3:15am
Like I was a little broken up during He's Not Here...
but yeahh as i said and you quoted...it hit me like a ton of bricks...
& yeah her and Leslie Kritzer.
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