Clumsy experiences Next To Normal: 4-18-09 Evening. [Spoilers]

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:20pm

I went last night and was completely blown away by it.

The music was so wonderfully touching and the actors gave such moving performances that I couldn't help but sob to myself. The scene between J. Robert Spencer and Aaron Tveit that lead up to and included "I Am The One [Reprise]" had me sobbing hysterically. It reminded me of my off-kilter relationship with my own father in so many ways.

Alice's performance truly garners her a Tony nomination and win, it truly touches and rocks you to your soul. Her voice is so piercingly honest and blunt, it just hits you even when it's meant to be sharp and honest. Sometimes, it is very pretty and lovely like during "I Miss The Mountains" and slower music like that. However, when it's meant to be pulsing and somewhat piercing, it does exactly that. Her voice is very unique in that you either love it or hate it. You can't be wishy-washy with it. I personally loved it, but not everyone will. Her performance is fabulous and her acting just adds to the already wonderful way she presents the role vocally.

I adored J. Robert Spencer in Jersey Boys in the very suttle role of Nick Massi, but he truly shines as Dan. His voice is absoultely gorgeous and his acting is completely and totally wonderful. He and Alice work so well together, and watching him fall apart and decompose because of her mental state is brilliant. I never "saw" Brian off-Broadway, but what I saw/heard, he was great, but J. Robert is fabulous nonetheless. When he and Alice are fighting about Gabe and he is holding the music box from her, when he screamed and smashed it, I sobbed. He truly is so confused and hurt by what her mental state has done to their family and marriage. J. Robert is wonderful and should atleast get nominated for this wonderful portrayal of a man dealing with his wife's mental issues and not dealing with his own.

I've seen Aaron Tveit in Hairspray and Wicked, and while he was fantastic in those roles, THIS is just amazing. He plays the devil and angel combined with a sly smile, cocky attitude and gorgeous voice and body to back it up. He plays with Alice's emotions so much that you hate him, but you also secretly love him. As his "effect" on Alice slowly fades, you watch him decide to mess with everyone: causing Natalie to freak out even more and turn to a darker path, and causing Dan even more mental anguish. Aaron delievers with his gorgeous voice in "I'm Alive" and does brilliant falsetto singing in "There's A World" just amongst his many many highlights. The boy is so talented, and everyone should go see him before he goes off to become a bigger-star in CMIYC. Also, can he PLEASE be nominated for Featured Actor and win?

I never saw Jenn in Spring Awakening, so I didn't know exactly what to expect from her except loving her in what I had saw/heard of her in this show. She was really wonderful! She has such a great voice and she shows it off in many places, especially "Superboy and The Invisible Girl", "Wish I Were Here" and "Why Stay/A Promise". Her acting is good and she does a great job of portraying a teen who is ignored due to the mental illness that surronds her family. I can totally relate to Natalie in the feeling of being ignored and I was immediately drawn into her character! I missed "Growing Up Unstable" but I totally get why it was cut, but doesn't mean I don't miss it.

Adam Chanler Berat plays one of the sweetest characters and boyfriends to ever step on Broadway. He has a gorgeous voice and his acting is so sincere and genunine as Henry should be played. I love how he tries to change for Natalie and how he truly cares for her and would do just about anything to help her. He sees 'The Invisible Girl' and he truly tugs at you're heart when he sings during "Why Stay/A Promise" about how much he does actually care for her. I really loved his performance.

Louis Hobson was really good in his small roles as the two doctors. His explosion of vocals when Diana pictures him as a rock-star are hilarious and amazing vocally. I wish "Feeling Electric" had not been cut so he could have gotten to sing a bit more, he would have done a great job.

This musical truly pulls on you're heartstrings and sings a song of painful things in a way that is carthatic and wondeful. Truly, a wonderful production that should garner them many achievements to come.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:27pm

I'm so glad you loved it!!! Even with the rush mix-up. :)

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:30pm

I'm so glad you loved it!!! Even with the rush mix-up. :)

Thanks Beth! To explain that whole thing: I sat infront of the face-adored doors instead of near the box office, which I ended not being first as I assumed, but like tenth in line. Ended up in the left box, and all was good. :]