Could N2N be this year's AVENUE Q?- Page 4

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/20/09 at 7:48pm

"Because they manipulated you too."

All shows do it. Some are just more subtle about it. But to pretend that one show manipulates feelings from the audience while another doesn't is ridiculous. The fact that it's not real is in itself manipulative. The only way it wouldn't manipulative is if you were watching REAL events unfold in real time.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 2:01am

Good point.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 11:17am

I think the debate between BE and N2N is interesting, but both shows serve different purposes.

I saw BE in Feb and just saw N2N this past Sunday evening. I loved both shows - in fact, though I did not pay full price for either ticket they were the first shows in ages that I've admitted are worth full price. They both connected with me, but on very different emotional levels.

I do own the BE cast recording, but to be honest, it is mainly for one number - "Solidarity." And when I listen to it, I immediately picute in my head the awesome choreography. The choreography is the saw of BE - it is magical. It is what transposted me to a different place and was a wonder (the Swam Lake sequence I gasped at). I saw David as Billy and his dancing abiility was amazing. I did find the dancing dresses a bit...odd. They took away from the storyline a bit, but they didn't taint my experience.

With N2N, there was similiar love and enjoyment, but for different reasons. I've been following the show for ages and seeing it develop has been a "cool" experience. When I saw it on Sunday, I was drawn into this family's plight. While Diana's illness is central, they are many other struggles to connect with as well. Being the rock trying to hold a family together, getting a parent to notice you, coping with grief are a few. And the score, for me, is solid and soars. Alice Ripley gave a performance so touching that it would be a crime if she doesn't take home a Tony for it.

Frankly, I won't be disappointed if either show took home the Tony. Will N2N be like Avenue Q upsetting a "bigger" show? I don't think that parallel works for me. Wicked is a very flawed show, and to compare it to Billy when Wicked inspired nothing for me and Billy did...nope, not for me. Caroline, or Change was a wonderful original show that is more in the vein of N2N. Avenue Q is a funny, clever show that sat in between, so good for it winning.

I haven't seen 9 to 5 yet, so I can't judge anything there yet, but I do think it is a pretty good year for Broadway in terms of Tony choices. There are what looks like some solid stuff for new musicals (revivals not withstanding), the play season has been incredible, and there is very good talent out there competing. I'm looking forward to the Tony broadcast just because of that.