Could N2N be this year's AVENUE Q?

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:09am

http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/04/next-to-normal-could-be-broadway-equivalent-of-slumdog-millionaire.html

I hope so!
Updated On: 4/19/09 at 01:09 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:17am

That's a weird article. It basically strings together reviews.

But I think N2N is going to have to really come out swinging with a great Tony campaign to beat BILLY. Let's hope they don't have the same people working on their Tony campaign as they do on their ad campaign.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:24am

Speaking of ad campaigns, they need to update said campaign to start including quotes from their reviews. I expected to see some quotes from the reviews outside the theater today, but nothing yet.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:26am

Although I love N2N with all my heart and would dearly love for it to take top prize, I just don't see it happening. Billy Elliot really hasn't lost too much momentum despite it having been open for months. It's just the safe bet, and the Tonys are not known to be particularly daring. They're probably one of the least surprising award ceremonies.

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:38am

Agreed. I don't think it has a chance. I love the analogy of Slumdog...except Slumdog was favored to win. I think N2N is more B'way's Milk.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:58am

It's a great show, but you can't compare to the two. "Wicked" got mixed reviews where as "Billy Elliot" got raves. It's not a guaranteed sell-out hit like "Wicked," but it's still doing pretty darn well at the box office. "Next to Normal" will def. pick up some awards (Ripley, best score, maybe book?). But "Billy" has it in the bag. I'm just curious to know what number they choose to showcase the show? Probably "Just Another Day?"

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 3:24am

Tonight during SNL they were showing a commercial with snippets from the Brantley review playing over the "Prelude" music.

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 4:04am

^Ooh thats good to hear...was it just to logo as the background? They should definitely use the new press clips for commercials.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 9:22am

SA was definitely an underdog going into the Tonys. It was struggling horridly until the nominations (or maybe even they win?)

I feel that since the MERIT of N2N is so incredible, the same thing could happen...the Tonys could definitely save it...or at least give it the run it deserves.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 9:31am

Everyone knew SPRING AWAKENING was going to get the award going into the Tonys.
I think it's unfair to compare the AV.Q and WICKED competition to NEXT TO NORMAL and BILLY ELLIOT. WICKED is simply not a well-written show, it's fun, entertaining, and indulgent in every way, and I enjoy it thoroughly but it has a horrendous book that easily falls apart the second you begin to wonder about it, Schwartz score is derivative (if electric). CAROLINE OR CHANGE was the best musical of that season, AV.Q was the compromise of art and commercial value, and I guess that made it the rightful winner.
BILLY ELLIOT is a thrilling musical in every way, the score is not fascinating, but it easily is Elton John's best. Most of all, the direction and choreography are perfection. I haven't seen NEXT TO NORMAL, I think the score is hit or miss (though when it "hits" it packs quite a punch), I wouldn't think it unfair if they lost to BILLY ELLIOT. Now...if they lost to 9 TO 5, that'd be a problem.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 9:38am

I don't think it would be a crime for BE to win, I'll just be rooting for N2N. I DO think it would be a shame if BE wins for best score, however. I cannot imagine ANYTHING beating it for Choreography however. THAT was the true star of the show, through and through.


EDIT: maybe 'underdog' was too strong of a word...but it certainly was struggling financially until then.

Updated On: 4/19/09 at 09:38 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 9:47am

I'd be quite happy if NEXT TO NORMAL takes Best Score (nothing in BILLY ELLIOT matches the haunting pathos of "I Miss the Mountains") and BILLY ELLIOT takes Best Musical (though I'd be okay with NEXT TO NORMAL wins that as well).
Drama, you're right re SPRING AWAKENING's financial struggle pre-Tonys, but every critic/Tony guru had called their win (GREY GARDENS was the deserving winner of that race, IMO).

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:36am

Based on what I saw this weekend with Billy Elliot, it WILL be a crime if that wins. It was awful. No energy, no excitement. Even the orchestra was dead. OTOH, next to normal is in top form, full of energy and passion. It just felt like the cast is already tired of Billy based on the show we saw Friday night.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:57am

I could not disagree with you more, jordan.
I have now seen the show ten times, and there has not yet been a performance where the cast has been giving less than a 100% percent. I was there on Wednesday, and I severely doubt between two performances the show took a nose dive.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 11:17am

I really hope this show lasts a while because I must see it a few more times!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 11:19am

I hope so. I liked BE but the perfromances & score are so much better in N2N

John's scores (Lion King, Aide & BE) have been OK. The best one of his was Lestat which tanked. Go figure.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:13pm

What about comparing it THIS way:

Spring Awakening- Next to Normal
Grey Gardens- Billy Elliot (Grey Gardens WAS the front runner, until SA)
Curtains- 9 to 5
Mary Poppins- Shrek

OR:

The Will Rogers Follies- 9 to 5
Miss Saigon- Billy Elliot (Winning for Lead Acting and some design)
The Secret Garden- Shrek (Okay, even I'll admit this comparisson is weak in this one nomination, but both shows do have their flaws, and had a standout featured role)
Once on this Island- Next to Normal

OR:

The Lion King- Shrek (Both popular animated movies, Shrek's becoming a popular musical)
Ragtime- Billy Elliot (Both VERY large shows, both physically AND materially)
Side Show- Next to Normal
The Scarlet Pimpernel- 9 to 5 (The one nominee which gets away, but they're both something of two cult shows)

OR:

Jersey Boys- Billy Elliot (Sell out, audience favorite)
The Color Purple- 9 to 5
The Drowsy Chaperone- Next to Normal (Came along late in the season, expected to win for acting, another audience favorite)
The Wedding Singer- Shrek/ Rock of Ages (Just in the very small case)

OR (and this is interesting):

Avenue Q- Next to Normal
The Boy from Oz- Shrek (winning an Acting Tony)
Caroline, or Change- Billy Elliot
Wicked- 9 to 5

For the past few years (Pro 2003), the voters seem to go towards the Off Broadway transfer success story, or the small, cost friendly musical (Even Spamalot fits into this theory, as compared to the mamoth sized Light in the Piazza). However, with the economy at what it's at, the voters will want a musical that can appeal to people everywhere (aka tour) AND keep the country interested in theatre. To me, it can go anyway, mainly depending on 9 to 5's reviews. Each musical fits into a year where they could win, plus, who knows? Shrek could have a great Tony Campaign, 9 to 5 could radically change and open to excellent reviews, or Billy Elliot could continue to have techincal problems, even when the voters come. Who knows? Also, when I saw Billy this past February, the kids were what pulled the show through, otherwise the performances were half phoned/ half performed. Everytime I've seen Shrek, it's performed like it was opening night.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:15pm

Just my .02, but "Aida's" score is much better than "BE's", which is totally forgettable.... and I LOVE the show. The score just happens to be the weakest link.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:19pm

I would actually think of Next to Normal as the Grey Gardens of the season. Brilliant performances from the cast, but the smaller, more artistic show.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:25pm

BE's songs I tend to hum and think about more often then N2N. Maybe because there are so many good numbers in N2N I can't decide. BE only has a very select few songs that are good.

The most songs from any show that I listen to though it XANADU, or at least different renditions of the songs. Tommy I listen to the most 2nd

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:00pm

I'm sorry, but trying to base concrete, fact-based arguments off statements like "BILLY ELLIOT is a thrilling musical in every way" is totally absurd and opinion-based.

Despite hating the show, I too would currently predict BILLY ELLIOT to win Best Musical, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't see NEXT TO NORMAL picking up some real momentum. BILLY ELLIOT is a total crowd-pleaser, but the kind of love those who are passionate about NEXT TO NORMAL have for it is on an entirely different plane.

We'll see what happens, but I don't think this is over by a long shot.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:02pm

"I could not disagree with you more, jordan.
I have now seen the show ten times, and there has not yet been a performance where the cast has been giving less than a 100% percent. I was there on Wednesday, and I severely doubt between two performances the show took a nose dive."


Perhaps blinded by your love, unable to see faults? Because the second time I saw BE, the cast was drained of energy/enthusiasm as well. Was just another big Broadway machine.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:09pm

"Perhaps blinded by your love, unable to see faults? "
Not at all. I am (well, was) a large fan of Spring Awakening, and I can say there were numerous performances were the energy was extremely low, thus leading to a lackluster performance.

[snl89]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:12pm

I really, REALLY hope that NtN will be able to pick up even more momentum going into the Tonys.

I mean, I honestly wouldn't care at all about awards like this in general, but in this particular case, I feel that a Tony win could greatly help out NtN in sales.

I haven't seen BE yet, and I really don't know if a win for NtN is all that realistic, but it's still what I'm hoping for. And I'm glad to at least see that other people are starting to think it might be possible too :)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:20pm

But I think N2N is going to have to really come out swinging with a great Tony campaign to beat BILLY.

Beginning the season following AVENUE Q's win (and the ultra thorough Tony campaign that preceded it), the The League of American Theaters and Producers (now the Broadway League) laid out guidelines for all future Tony seasons saying that the only "campaigning" allowed would be to provide each voter with a copy of the libretto, and a copy of the cast recording. Any other type of "campaigning" in the vein of AVENUE Q was deemed not allowed.

XANADU got past this regulation last season by creating a YouTube series, which certainly wouldn't have been deemed in any way "campaigning" TO the voters, as they were just putting videos up on the web for the world to see.