Brian d'Arcy James Return to Next to Normal

Anyone going to see him tonight or in the near future? Love to see peoples reactions and how his "I've Been" is.

Does anyone know how limited this engagement will be? Will he still be in it come August???

He's leaving the show mid-July. I think July 18th is the exact date.

I'll be there and will report back (I'm across the street at John's right now).

His last day is July 18, but he's out of the show June 30-July 11.

adamgreer, you are one lucky *ss mutha' f*ucka'!

I want to see Brian, but I think it might be a bad show, for me, because everytime I hear his voice (Videos, and in Time Stands Still) all I can think is "Shrek". I guess I'm just a closed minded audience member haha.

I'm going to be there on Sunday as well! :)

Show just got out and it was incredible. Breathtaking performances all around and a very enthusiastic response from a fairly (I think) sold out crowd. I loved it. Brians emotion was just laid out on that stage.

I saw it tonight and thought it was a great performance. I've seen it four times, and this was the first time I saw it without Alice; I had hoped she would be in for Brian's first show, but I thought Jessica's voice was gorgeous and she did a good job. At times I did miss Robert J. Spencer a bit, but Brian's performance was very emotional and I was impressed; he won me over.

He was excellent. Off to a fabulous start. He definitely plays the role much differently than he did at Second Stage (but the character was so different then). He was very passionate in the dramatic scenes, but also got a lot more laughs than other Dans in the early scenes. He plays Dan as very heroic, in contrast to Bobby who played Dan as more of a victim. It was an interesting contrast, and I enjoy both takes on the role. Brian's voice is very much like Michael Berry's- big and booming. Gorgeous sound. I've Been was gorgeous.

He had good, but not great chemistry yet, with Jessica. However, their harmonies together were TIGHT. Tonight was an incredible vocal performance. Jessica continues to be fabulous in her own right as Diana.

Very enthusiastic, sold out audience tonight, with a lot of Brian fans in attendance, as evidenced by the entrance applause he received, which threw Jessica off momentarily in the opening scene.

Of course, two completely annoying cell phones at inopportune moments- the first was in act 1 when Dr. Madden is detailing Diana's suicide attempt, the second was in act 2, right before the I Am the One reprise. Ridiculous.

ETA: Alice has been placed on vocal rest this whole week. Jess will be on all week.

Updated On: 5/18/10 at 11:54 PM

ETA: Alice has been placed on vocal rest this whole week. Jess will be on all week. NO NO NO NO NO. I am seeing it for the first time this week on Friday. Why God why?

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Will Jessica be on Sunday???! :)

ETA: Alice has been placed on vocal rest this whole week. Jess will be on all week.

Thanks for this info! Planning a return trip for this week.