Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal

[broadwayfreak2]

Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#1

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:37pm

Which is better? My friend and I are arguing about the two. We haven't seen either shows. I'm for Billy and my friend is for N2N.

[lull89]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#2

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:39pm

There are a bunch of threads on this topic, you should try searching.

[ljay889]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#2

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:40pm

Not again....

But having seen both, N2N in every possible way.

[rorygilmo52]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#3

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:00am

Billy Elliot.

[givesmevoice]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#4

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:03am

better in what way?


I honestly think, as a cohesive whole, Billy Elliot is better. I do think, however, that N2N deals with difficult subjects incredibly well, and I honestly hope more new musicals follow in its footsteps.

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

Updated On: 7/28/09 at 12:03 AM

[adamgreer]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#5

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:03am

[adamgreer]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#6

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:04am

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#7

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:06am

They are so different.

2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot

[CSonBroadway]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#8

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:07am

N2N

I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

[broadwayfreak2]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#9

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:32am

adamgreer, what does that mean?

[yankees1253]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#10

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:43am

Billy Elliot

[Salene]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#11

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:44am

adamgreer, what does that mean?

Ever hear the expression "beating a dead horse"?

My vote goes to Next to Billy Elliot.
Updated On: 7/28/09 at 12:44 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#12

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:47am

Here we go...

[TalkinLoud]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#13

Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:51am

I say we talk about it here, and never in any other thread ever again.

And for the record, I prefer Billy Elliot.

[Geridith]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#14

Posted: 7/28/09 at 1:21am

Billy Elliot, though I acknowledge N2N as being a great show as well. I just prefer BE.

Friends of Billy Forum: Billy/Michael Schedules
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[Unknown User]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#15

Posted: 7/28/09 at 1:24am

Next to Normal

[STUCKinOH]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#16

Posted: 7/28/09 at 1:38am

next to normal.

[MichaelUK92]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#17

Posted: 7/28/09 at 2:35am

Next to Normal in every way.

Better score, cast, subject and musical.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#18

Posted: 7/28/09 at 2:56am

They're both overrated pieces of tripe.

But if I had to sit through ONE of them again, it would be BILLY ELLIOT, hands down.

NEXT TO NORMAL makes my stomach turn in ways no other show has ever been able to do.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

[binau]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#19

Posted: 7/28/09 at 3:37am

Why?

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#20

Posted: 7/28/09 at 4:13am

The disrespect and carelessness with which the serious subject matter is handled.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

[sking]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#21

Posted: 7/28/09 at 5:37am

N2N for the songs and singing, Billy Elliot for the dancing and everything else. That being said its DAMN hard to compare these 2 they couldn't be more different. I come out of Billy happy and upbeat and out of N2N totally wrung emotionally dry, I VASTLY prefer the first feeling(though N2N kicks you in the gut quite masterfully).

[legally_popular]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#22

Posted: 7/28/09 at 7:56am

What with Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal all the time? Why is there always a need to compare them, they're so different. Why can't people like both? I think the OP and his friend should stop arguing until they have seen both shows. Then just decide for yourself. Why does it matter what everyone else thinks, it's all subjective.

[dramamama611]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#23

Posted: 7/28/09 at 7:57am

N2N hands down.

That being said, it really is just a preference. Billy Elliot is an excellent example of traditional musical theater with a lot of heart. You know what's going to happen next from the moment the plot begings. I loved it the first time I saw it, and was totally underwhelmed the 2nd time (early July). The choreography is the star.

N2N is a new experience of a new story with heart, soul and heartbreak. Very moving, always keeps you involved. (I'm headed to my 4th attendance and cannot wait.) The story and the performances are to die for.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[Mark_E]

re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal#24

Posted: 7/28/09 at 8:00am

Why not go see both and make your own decision.