Alice Ripley and Brian D'Arcy James for Next to Normal- Page 2

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/17/07 at 7:46am

I will now see this if this is indeed true. I am not a fan of Amy Spanger (a bit too much of a screamer for my taste), but Alice Ripley is one of my favorites. It is nice to have her back on the stage. Her "I Miss the Mountains" was fabulous at Town Hall. D'Arcy James, as FeelingElectric said, was great paired with Alice at "Songs for a New World."

Updated On: 8/17/07 at 07:46 AM

[Craww]

Posted: 8/17/07 at 9:47am

I think I also heard a while back that a couple of Spring Awakening stars were possibly headed for this production (I believe Skylar Austin and Phoebe Strole). Can anyone elabaroate on that?

They both did a workshop. I'd heard rumors (moreso about Skylar) about both of them telling people they were going to be in the show, but just rumors. I should have asked him the last time I saw Spring Awakening, but...instead, I randomly bickered with him. I knew I was forgetting an important agenda for that stage door visit.

[mallardo]

Posted: 8/17/07 at 5:23pm

<--------------- Please. NOT a screamer.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/17/07 at 7:10pm

I'm so excited for this and cannot wait to hear the rest of the cast. My one qualm is that I absolutely hate the new name. Can we petition to change it back?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/18/07 at 12:25pm

Well, I guess I feel better about Joe not being in this, now that he's gonna be in Tale of Two Cities.

So I feel a little better now. Brian is very talented, I'm sure he'll be great. I guess I should just feel privileged that I got to see the NYMF cast.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/18/07 at 2:26pm

I like this casting so far. I wish Annaleigh Ashford would reprise her role but I doubt she would.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 8/18/07 at 3:45pm

Its nice to actually see casting news finally. I've been waiting for this for 2 years. This is by far my favorite new show at nymf05 (and probably my favorite show that ive seen since then) It was absolutely amazing. Ofcourse im sad that Amy wont be returning, but i have complete faith in Alice.
The new has scared me since i first heard it. Wish i could see a song list to know whether my old favorites are still in it.

[defygravity2oz]

Posted: 8/18/07 at 9:02pm

"I'm still amused that I stumbled onto casting information for this in my rinky-dink local community paper, when I've been searching the theater sites periodically since it was announced for Second Stage."

Haha. Yes. Rinky-dink. Im from Dayton and beleive it or not the Dayton City Paper is far from rinky-dink. They write about Alice (and other Bway stars) every once in a while actually. She grew up here and still has a lot of family in the area. My dad is friends with her parents (no, ive never met her...lol) But, just for further reference Dayton is extremely rich in the arts. Many current Broadway stars are from Dayton such as Tyler Maynard, Jill Paice, Alice Ripley and many others. There are also many celebrities from the area. Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney... So, the Dayton City Paper and other publishers from the area have their foot in the door. But, they go unnoticed because its not a popular publication. I ve read things in Dayton papers that werent even reported on broadway.com until days later!

Dont get me wrong. If I werent from Dayton, I'd never think that the Dayton City Paper would have many ties to mainstream contemporary theatre and entertainment but, beleive it or not- we do!

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 8/18/07 at 9:53pm

This news has made me so incredibly happy! I have nothing substantial left to add, but I wanted to send my happiness out into the void.

[Craww]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 3:58am

Im from Dayton and beleive it or not the Dayton City Paper is far from rinky-dink.

I read DCP regularly. I say rinky-dink affectionately, but it's fairly accurate.

I wish Annaleigh Ashford would reprise her role but I doubt she would.

I agree. On both points, sadly.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 1:49pm

"I wish Annaleigh Ashford would reprise her role but I doubt she would."

Ashford is leaving "Legally Blonde" to go into another big show in a little under a month, so she won't be available.

[longshadowsfalling]

Posted: 8/19/07 at 3:37pm

"Ashford is leaving "Legally Blonde" to go into another big show in a little under a month, so she won't be available."

Care to elaborate on what this 'big show' would be?

[Kev]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 12:00am

Care to elaborate on what this 'big show' would be?

One she's done before.

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 7:18am

"Care to elaborate on what this 'big show' would be?
One she's done before."


This show wouldn't involve witches, would it?

If so, I am the happiest person on earth right now!

[Craww]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 5:46pm

If the show involves witches I do hope they're casting a green witch of comparable age, or it'll be really weird like the videos with Julia Murney that I heard about and never watched. With a puzzled look of embarrassment for Annaleigh Ashford covering my face. I'd imagine.

Moving back to Next to Normal (ew, that name). Phoebe Strole would probably be good for the teenage daughter role, but part of me is irritated at the concept of two Spring Awakening kids being in the show. Don't know why.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 8/20/07 at 7:27pm

For the person who asked: Phoebe Strole played the part of Natalie, and Skylar Astin played Henry, a new character, in the most recent workshop.

I've *heard* they've both auditioned for the parts again just recently, but that doesn't mean they'll actually continue with the show to Second Stage.

When it comes to either Alice or Amy, I love them both...a lot. Either one of them would make me happy! Yeah, and Brian being in this isn't too shabby either.

Could someone who's really in-the-know care to calm my nerves and tell me that they'll transfer for a commercial Off-Broadway run after they're done at Second Stage?

By the way, I've decided that I'm gonna go in denial and just continue to call this Feeling Electric.

[broadwayboy1017]

Posted: 8/21/07 at 11:31pm

per her facebook, sarah hyland is casted in next to normal. she will be playing the angry teenager in it

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:40pm

Sarah Hyland is BRILLANT casting for Natalie. She was fantastic in Grey Gardens, and it will be good to see her in a pivotal role in Next To Normal. Lets see the cast we have so far (reportedly):

Alice Ripley
Brian D'Arcy James
Anthony Rapp
Sarah Hyland

I can't wait to see who will be cast in the last role(s). It's going to be a great production.

Updated On: 8/23/07 at 06:40 PM

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 7:51pm

I want them to release dates already! I need to start planning my trip to see the show.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 1:02am

Sarah Hyland? Is she older than I thought she was?

And a new character named Henry? This is all interesting/exciting as all hell. I can't wait.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 2:00am

Sarah Hyland is 16. The oldest son in Feeling Electric would be aged 16, so the daughter- however dysfunctional she is- would have to be younger, somehow. Which makes it all sadder. Haha.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 4:06am

WHOAAA! Sarah Hyland? I was pushing for Phoebe, but whoaaaaa I totally approve of Sarah. Wow, I didn't even think of her. She'd be so great. Okay, now I'm even MORE excited.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 8/23/07 at 5:51am

Next To Normal's myspace music page says, under upcoming shows, January 1st. i don't know how reliable it is as i don't know who runs the page. I don't know if thats suggest the actually opening date of the date of the first preview. But either way, the Second Stage page says winter 2007, so its prbably pretty safe that they'll announce something official in the very near future.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 12:04am

Yeah, I know how old Natalie is in the show - I just wasn't aware Sarah was that old, she looks so young!