Curt Hansen as GABE in NEXT TO NORMAL- Page 2

[iabwayfan]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 8:05am

I thought Curt did a nice job on this song. It does sound a little different I think because it is sang to an audio recording with a television station microphone.

His voice is very different from the Tveit's, and just as he has probably made changes to the way he plays Gabe, I think that's good. I don't think he was hired to try to mimic Aaron. Each new Gabe should make it his own.

I'm looking forward to seeing this show later in the tour even more!

Thanks for the link!

[THDavis]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 8:23am

For anyone else who sings on here, you can tell there's no "line" in the song. He doesn't really let the song flow from line to line, but instead breaks it up into little thoughts. I've been guilty of doing that too, but it didn't really work with this song I don't think.

Plus, it seems like a super awkward little news space. Especially with the applause at the end (which totally sounds canned).

[CateBroadway]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:11am

Aw I think he did a good job. And those arms. My lord!

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 10:07am

Provocation and Oncemore nail it:

"Humming Along, Curt plays Gabe more creepy than I've seen it done in the past. I loved his take on it. It really adds to Alice's intensity"

"I was terrified of what Gabe was going to do to this family by the end... it haunted me."

We saw him in LA, and from the moment he comes on stage, all gangly, but with a gleam in his eye like he knows something no one else knows and the way he gets right up behind Natalie...yeah, he was uneasy and got more threatening.

Updated On: 1/22/11 at 10:07 AM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 7:49pm

Let's look past the looks and get real. That was awful. Not even close to good. I will not write it off as it being 9 am. It was just plain bad. And the last note was not good at all. It was rough.

[yournamehere]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 9:01pm

In regard to the OP comment on Brian Crum, I've been trying to hear him as Gabe. But I can't. Is anyone willing to help? :'(


Oh and to add, I don't think the studio helps. It makes the whole thing look SUPER awkward. I don't know why. I know that doesn't affect his voice but his voice isn't as bad as I expected after reading the comments. It just feels awkward. Updated On: 1/22/11 at 09:01 PM

[LittleOne2]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 11:24pm

Kyle Dean and Aaron are both DIFFERENT than Curt, but not better by any means. I just saw the tour in San Diego and I also saw Kyle Dean and the rest of the original cast do the show in New York, and I think both shows were fantastic! However, I do feel that, overall, Curt's rendition of Gabe is more likeable as a character and more dimensional. Aaron and Kyle Dean were both great, but a little more robotic. Gabe is supposed to be what Dianna sees him as, and wouldn't a mother want to see her son as more likeable and childlike? His singing, if it is ever compromised, is only because his passion as the character is more important, and I feel the imperfections only add to the dimension of the character and make him more REAL. People seem to be much more forgiving of Alice's sharp and flat notes because of her fierce stage presence. Curt might not be a Tony award winner (yet) but that doesn't mean he shouldn't also be recognized for his active pursuit of his intention on stage, even if it does mean his singing isn't 100% perfect. His physicality and drive on stage is clear and precise, and more importantly, DIFFERENT than Aaron's and Kyle Deans. His performance is effective and inspiring. Does anything else really matter?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/22/11 at 11:54pm

is it a thing now to take the ending up? why? it's completely unnecessary.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 12:21am

Yes, the new ending has been written in to the official score.

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 12:34am

jerryherman - if the actor playing gabe feels he can't pull it off that night (sick/strained), he'll stay on the original note. but yes, it was changed a while back- about midway through kyle dean's take over. i think that if the actor can pull off the kick a** rock sound required, it actually adds a lot to the song. it's a way for gabe to pour his heart out and also, effectively, yell at the family...in a way. i have to say, i love it.

littleone - his performance sounds interesting, thanks for sharing! wish i could see it. i though kyle dean was a great blend of sweet and menacing while aaron was too menacing and brian was too sweet. would love to see curt.

yournamehere - brian crum is performing at joe's pub in ny on 1/24 i believe. you could check him out there. he might do a song from the show and you'll be treated to tons of other wonderful music in the process. otherwise the fyeahn2n tumbler blog has some audio up, i believe...http://fyeah-nexttonormal.tumblr.com/

[yournamehere]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 8:48pm

Thank you very much, HummingAlong. I'll check it out.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 9:45pm

They are probably paying Ripley through the nose for this tour so they had to find cheap family members to make up for it. Some of them probably aren't the best singers.

[steven22]

Posted: 1/23/11 at 9:52pm

Haven't seen the tour but I hear Emma Hunton shines in this show.