Another Next To Normal Review! 3/28 Spoiler-Free

Alright, so I know that there have been a lot of Next To Normal review threads recently, but I had a chance to see the show tonight, and I wanted to post my thoughts for all those interested.

I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I am someone who hadn't seen the show in any of its previous forms, so I was fresh into it. I loved the concept, and I am so happy to see the strength of the original musicals this season (Story of My Life, [title of show], and now this.) I was left feeling so overwhelmed with emotions. The show takes a lot out of you, but in such a good way. I felt so many things, and one of those feelings was immense satisfaction for a damn fine show.

Now, I thought that I wouldn't be able to see the show until April 8th, but my director let us out of rehearsal early tonight, so I was able to rush over to the theatre. They were all sold out of everything except the $120.00 tickets, so we were a little bummed out. We looked for anyone selling tickets, but we didn't find those either. Finally as we were about to give up, we spotted Eamon Foley from 13. He was offering two free tickets to some people that didn't speak English, and therefore didn't know what they were being offered. We immediately jumped up and asked for them, saying that we'd been trying to buy the tickets but couldn't get them. He was extremely nice and gave them to us. He had gotten them for free from a girl (who we later met, and was also extremely nice), and he had already had tickets. So, we lucked out! The theatre was packed too!

Okay, now to the show. I loved the score, it was beautiful. One of the most powerful this season, and may even become one of my favorites of all time. My first impression of it was very very good. It's so catchy, rocky where it needs to be, sentimental when it calls for it, and just all around very good. It was very strong, with a bunch of standout tracks. My favorites probably were 'Just Another Day', 'A Light In The Dark', 'I Am The One', 'I've Been', and I promise you that you'll have 'I'm Alive' stuck in your head for hours after you see the show. Its' very strong, and I'm hopeful that it will take a Tony. The orchestrations are superb and made the score sound even more gorgeous.

The book is great. There were so many moments in the show that really tugged at your heart strings, but I won't spoil them for others. I can remember moments in the show where besides the sobs coming from everyone around me, you could have heard a pin drop. I admit, I really teared up, and there were so many scenes that really got to me. Great writing, great story, great ideas. I really have to digest this show and see it again, because it's beautiful, simply put. The technical aspects were equally impressive. I really enjoyed the set and the lighting. Amazing designers.

Now, onto the cast.

I'll start with Aaron Tveit. He was a true standout in a cast full of perfection. He's got a beautiful voice, seriously. How he manages to run up and down those stairs and sing his songs too.. wow. I can see a Tony nomination for him, totally. I really hope he gets it, as he deserves it! He does wonders with his already brilliant material. Also a really nice guy, and was very gracious at the stage door. Can't wait to see him in 'Catch Me If You Can'. I hope he has a long, great career ahead of him. He's awesome.

Now, Jennifer Damiano. Her voice too, is very beautiful. She makes her character very likable, and I love her songs. This girl has got it all. The looks, the charm, the voice. I hope to see a lot more from her. With this and Spring Awakening under her belt, I can't see what else she does in the future.

Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson up next. Great supporting characters. They both have nice voices. I really like Louis speaking at the beginning of 'I've Been'. That part is very chilling, and I love the way that he delivers his lines. Plus, he's got some very stuff material. Adam is great too, and I love his chemistry with Jennifer. I hear that he has grown a lot, and if that is true, he has settled into the role nicely.

Then, there is J. Robert Spencer. Reading the reviews, it seems as if a lot of people think that he is the weakest part of the show. I disagree. I feel like he gives a very heart felt, real performance. As the show carried on, he really won me over and made me care a lot for his character, which is why Act 2 has such an impact. Granted, I like Nobert Leo Butz's voice, and Brian d'Arcy James' better from the demo recording and some clips of the other productions, but his voice is beautiful too. He sings very tenderly during Act 2, and invokes true beauty. One of his scenes became my favorite in the show, and you know, I really did like him. It is unfair to compare him to the others, I think. Instead, we should judge him on the performance that he is giving. That performance happens to be beautiful and real. He's very good.

Finally, there is Alice Ripley. In the words of [title of show], "she's fierce." I love her. If she doesn't win a Tony award for this role, I'll be very upset. She really does deserve it. Plus, she is extremely gracious to her fans. She's nice, and a true class act. Her transformation throughout the show is incredible, and she's another one who gives a truly real and tender performance. She steals the show. I'm glad that she's finally in a show that is sure to be a hit. After Side Show closing so soon, her talent deserves to be seen. She is a force of nature!

As you can see, I really really liked the show. I am going back to see it as much as I can. I do think that it will be a hit. I am pulling for it winning as many Tonys as possible. Here's hoping that it takes home 'Best Musical', as it deserves it! This is the best musical to open this season, and one of the best musicals playing on Broadway. The house was packed, and I've been told that they have a huge advance sale as well. Congratulations to them! This beautiful show should stick around as long as possible. If you haven't seen it yet, rush to do so! You won't at all regret it, you'll walk away humming the songs, and you'll be immensely satisfied.

Updated On: 3/29/09 at 02:51 AM

I love how you brought out the [tos] quote about Alice Ripley being fierce. I didn't become familiar with [tos] until after I saw Next to Normal at Second Stage and every time I hear that part I think of this performance!

And I agree with your comment about judging J. Robert Spencer on his own rather than in comparison to the others who have played the role. It's hard because I was so in love with Brian D'Arcy James in the role, but I did see where Spencer took the role in different directions and really made it his own and great.

I am hopefully going to get to see it again on April 8th. I really need to take it all in again, hah.

I really like Bobby as Dan as well. There are definitely a bunch of moments he brings that I liked better than Brian's version.

Bobby absolutely killed me in "I Am the One (Reprise)"

I am so glad that some people really appreciate J Robert Spencer in this role. I personally think he's incredible. I, too, did love Brian D'Arcy James in the role of Dan when I saw the show a year ago... I mean, even if nothing else, his voice is undeniably incredible, and I loved his acting at the time. HOWEVER, JRS brings an entirely new feel to this role and I think he fleshes out the character a LOT more effectively. But they each play the role very differently and it's hard to compare the two point-by-point.

However, there is something I noticed in threads that compare JRS and BDJ: People say "wow, BDJ's reveal at the end REALLY BLEW ME AWAY." In my opinion, the only reason it "blew away" those people was because, prior to that reveal, Brian's Dan was very... passive (word choice?) and maybe a little bland? (Keep in mind, I did love BDJ when I saw him play this part--I'm not trying to be mean at all). So when it comes to the reveal at the end of the show, the only place for Brian's impact to go was up, and of course, his reveal was "mind blowing" in comparison to the earlier parts of the show. It was just the way he played the role.

I know I said it's not fair to compare them, but I do feel that, in contrast to BDJ, JRS's Dan really is more effective throughout the show. This Dan is more of an active character, rather than taking a backseat to Alice Ripley until the very end of the show (like BDJ). Additionally, AT the end during Dan's reveal, JRS kicks it up another notch and is simply great.

IMHO, this interpretation of the role works much better, especially with the changes that have occured within the show since the 2ST production.

It makes me so happy that other people are enjoying J Robert Spencer!

[edited for spelling]

Updated On: 3/30/09 at 12:23 AM

>>Um... The majority of the action happens on the first floor. There is some on the second and very little on the third. I was in the second row Friday night and had no issues with my neck hurting. There's not THAT much "looking up" to do. <<

Well jeez, Heaven forbid some of us actually look up at the orchestra or have chronic neck/back pains.
Yes, the big bulk of the action does take place on the ground floor but there were times where the kid is up on the 3rd, when the parents are on the ground and curiosity strikes to look up at him.
OMG, how dare I!!! This means I'm bashing the show and deserve to leave in pain!! OH NO!!!

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Updated On: 3/30/09 at 06:46 AM

I'm late to the love fest for Robert Spencer. I liked the show 2nd Stage enough to go see it again in DC. But I fell hard for the show in DC and went back and back. And look at the handle I chose when I joined the Board so I could say how important the show had become to me. I think it's a very hard role, as I've watched it over and over (and, frankly, as I've lived it).

I don't know what Brian's performance would have become had he been part of the process of the changes that happened to it at Arena Stage, but the way it's built now, (or at least was when it closed there, since I haven't gotten to the Booth yet) Spencer is nailing it. I've learned so much about the dynamics of a situation like this from watching the shape of his performance. I can't imagine the show without him now.

No, I'm not having a bad day in general. I was just pointing out that not everyone will have the same discomfort issues. I didn't mean to offend or start an argument.

I definitely agree about the space provided in and around the seats. It is not much at all. If you're sitting on the aisle, plan to get there a lot closer to curtain unless you want to be getting up and down a lot, because there really isn't room for people to pass with even an average person standing in front of one of the chairs. So we definitely agree on that one. :)

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I'm glad to see that you all appreciate J. Robert Spencer as well. That makes me happy to hear, as I had been reading from other people that he detracted from the show for them. I really didn't think that was the case at all. He's terrific!