Bobby Spencer to join Alice Ripley in Arena's NORMAL

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 2:32pm

J. Robert Spencer will play husband (I assume) to Alice Ripley in the Arena Stage's production of NEXT TO NORMAL.

Other Arena casting is here, as well.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119837.html

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 2:58pm

Good for him. He's so talented and I wish this show nothing but the best in its quest back to New York!!

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:04pm

*sigh*.. it makes me so sad that Brian went to be green, but it's understandable and, likely, it's a good paycheck.

I just love this show so much. I really hope after this DC engagement that it makes it back to NYC.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:10pm

I hope they've done a lot of rewriting...

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:13pm

I might be in the minority, but I think the show is great as is. I'm sad that they took the "Costco" song out. It was a good song to show Diana's manic behavior and adds to the presentation of the housewife who's lost so much but continues to try to stay strong for her family.

[otis33]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:16pm

Maybe I misread the article, but I don't think Alice Ripley is confirmed for the production. Though, it'd be great if she did join the cast.

[winter_sky]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:27pm

Maybe he'll be Doctor Madden.

Oh oops. just read the article. I think he would be a good Dr. Madden.
Updated On: 7/25/08 at 03:27 PM

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:31pm

In my opinion, it's definitely HER show. I know that during the "Feeling Electric" days it was Amy Spanger/Sherie Rene Scott, but I've never seen a show that was so owned by one person like N2N was for Alice.

So yes I concur, this will only be as good as it could be with Alice Ripley in the cast as Diana.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:35pm

I'm glad to see that Aaron Tveit is staying with N2N.

[viola13]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 3:45pm

I thought when Arena announced N2N was going to be done, they also announced Alice Ripley was going to be Diana.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 4:45pm

I guess this means Aaron Tveit will not be Tony in West Side Story...congrats Matt Cavenaugh!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 4:53pm

Bobby is playing Dan.
I'm thrilled that Aaron is sticking with the show too. He and Alice (and Brian) were outstanding.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 5:16pm

Can't wait to see how he does, D'arcy James was fantastic, so we'll see.

Glad to see that Aaron is sticking with this, and is not in West Side Story.

Updated On: 7/25/08 at 05:16 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 5:43pm

What a confusing article. It says "no further casting has been announced" and then it goes on to talk about Aaron Tveit? But I'm excited to see this! I really enjoyed it. I hope they cut "Feeling Electric." I actually really hated all the Doctor parts. I don't feel like his character was fleshed out very well. It was just sort of a cardboard cut out of a doctor.

[Chance]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 5:46pm

Alice was confirmed a while ago in a newsletter sent out by the theatre.

So glad Aaron is staying with it too. He and Alice were amazing. still sad there will be no brian.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 7:43pm

I got my season tickets including my N2N ticket.

Yay for the Side Show reunion.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 7:45pm

There is no official confirmation on Alice as of yet (otherwise why not include her since that information allegedly came in a newsletter from them so only people who got that would know). I'm holding off until I know for sure. Without her the show is dead to me.

Updated On: 7/25/08 at 07:45 PM

[Chance]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:31pm

there were more than a couple people who said they got a newsletter in mid may from Arena stating Alice was in the show.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:31pm

Such a great show im glad it still has a life

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:34pm

there were more than a couple people who said they got a newsletter in mid may from Arena stating Alice was in the show.

Then why not announce it with the others for the general public since they weren't privvy to the newsletter? And why is it not posted anywhere on their site since that "announcement" came some time ago?

It's not 100% confirmed yet that she'll be in it. That I know.

Updated On: 7/25/08 at 08:34 PM

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:35pm

Alice is definately doing this production of N2N.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:36pm

As of the end of June it wasn't official or definite. And if it is by now, why isn't Arena capitalizing on it? She's most likely a MUCH bigger draw than either of the two names they've released (no matter how awesome I think Aaron is).

Updated On: 7/25/08 at 08:36 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:55pm

I didn't know that Aaron was confirmed. Did I miss that? Can someone provide a link for me so I can read all about it? (Wonderful news!)

FYI, a few years ago, Arena Stage announced their new season would include DAMN YANKEES starring Alice Ripley. It was in all of their print materials. But she wound up not being in it. I bought tickets solely because of her. I was really disappointed...until I saw the show. It was spectacular, even without Alice.

This doesn't necessarily have any bearing on N2N, but it is an odd coincidence. It also shows that an actor may not be "confirmed" even though she has been "announced."

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 8:56pm

Aaron was on the playbill article, but he's not anymore. Hmmm... Weird.

I'm definitely waiting to get my tickets until I know for sure. (Alice. She's the only one that for me is irreplaceable.)

Updated On: 7/25/08 at 08:56 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 7/25/08 at 9:13pm

miss pennywise- I did the same thing with Damn Yankees! I ended up seeing it and loving it despite my initial annoyance. The same thing happened with Emily Skinner in Disney's On the Record (though I didn't love that).

Regardless, I am a subscriber, so I will be seeing it no matter what. Although, as a long time Alice fan, I have a hard time seeing anyone else in the role. I did see Alice's name in the newsletter others are referring to though.