Do you think N2N will be considered a classic in the future?

Or is it already considered a classic?

It seems that everyone here LOVES this show. It's such a gem of a piece and the lyrics are incredible and the music just makes your heart ache. There is literally not one bad song in the entire show and the book is well done! The fact that it won the PP speaks volumes. Do you think this is the type of Musical that will be remembered because of the show or because of Alice Ripley's Performance? I have always considered this show a Modern Masterpiece of Musical Theater.

Thoughts?

If you want to consider it so, go right ahead.

I agree, i think the score definitely outshines the book, the book is still pretty solid though.

"I think Ripley's performance made the show."

Idk, she is definitely great in that show but do you think the show would still be fondly remembered as it is now if Ripley never did it? Was Ripley's Performance the sole reason the show is a gem?

"Masterpiece? Mm. To some, I guess."

What Musicals do you consider a masterpiece ( if any) That have been written in the last 12 years?

In a word, yes. I always say that in forty-fifty years this is the show we're all going to be saying we saw.

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if you're capable of creating an alternate universe in your mind where Next To Normal is actually worthy of such an honor, then sure..

I saw it quite a few times; in addition to Alice and Marin, I also saw Catherine Porter play the role (I believe she only went on two times, but I could be wrong) and she was excellent. The show does not need Ripley to be powerful, but I don't think anyone was really claiming that.

To the original question: I think so. I'll be very curious to see if Next to Normal merely gets caught up in the "rock-opera era" which history will surely not forget, but I do think Next to Normal will be able to stand on its own. I'm thrilled to see how history treats the turn of the century when it comes to theatre/Broadway. I'd elaborate but it's really meant for a whole other thread.

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Updated On: 5/28/13 at 06:39 PM

I think it's interesting, Mike, you brought up PASSING STRANGE. I think that score is much stronger than NEXT TO NORMAL's (I wish I could comment on their books, but I sadly missed N2N during its run.)

PS, to me, seems like a show even more bound to its' original production, thanks to the semi-autobiographical nature of it. I know it's being done regionally now and I'm kind of dying to see a production without Stew in it. I know he wrote it so that he was only the Narrator, and so it theoretically should work, but the way he sang "Work the Wound" is one of the more unforgettable performances I've ever seen (and sadly, all I got to see was Spike Lee's filmed version of the show.)

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I think NEXT TO NORMAL has the possibility of being a classic. It seems revivals are popping up all over the place. Especially since it won the Pulitzer...