Feeling Electric- Page 4

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 6:38am

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108925.html

I can't tell you how happy I am right now.

[joniray]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 9:30am

Very excited to hear that this show is finally getting a production. Along with Caroline or Change, this is my favorite recent musical and, along with Caroline, Normal Heart, and Elegies, it's the most moving experience I have had in the theatre in the past five years or so.

I'm a little worried about Grief - I haven't been crazy about his work in the past and I'm concerned that he may not be the right person to guide this piece.

Really sad about the latest reading cast - the NYMF cast was perfection. Not only did they sing the hell out of the score, they acted the hell out of it as well. And in this piece, acting is really key. Spangler, the actor playing the brother, and especially the father and daughter (sorry, don't have their names in front of me) really nailed their characters and songs. Actually, the only performer that I wouldn't mind seeing re-cast was Anthony Rapp - couldn't buy him as the sexy rock-star doctor so that bit didn't really work as well as it should - and yet it looks like he's the only one still involved in the piece! Go figure.

And what is up with the name change? "Next to Normal?" It sounds like one of those generic Hollywood comedy titles that Touchstone Pictures was so fond of in the late 80's and early 90's. There wasn't anything wrong with the title. It stood out. I hope this isn't a sign that they are mucking around with the wrong things. Yes, the show as presented at NYMF could have used some trimming and clarification, but please Kitt, Yorkey and Grief - Don’t' throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Sorry, I don't mean to sound so negative so early, it's just that this show had such an impact on me at NYMF and I think it was (with a little bit of trimming) already pretty much good to go, cast and all (and the reviews reflected that as well). I really want others to experience what was so wonderful about it, so I'm crossing my fingers and wishing everyone working on it the best.

Thank you Second Stage! You better believe I'll be one of the first in line for tickets

[RentHead2]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 10:15am

Very excited to hear about this one, and I thought this upcoming year would be boring. Absolutly loved Tim Kitt's High Fidelity, finally excited about this upcoming season!! What's with the name change tho? Any casting news yet??

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 3:24pm

Absolutely can't wait for this. I fell in love with the show at NYMF, it may be the most moving experience I've had in a theater. Can't wait to hear casting news... I still hold out hope for Amy Spanger to jump back in, she was phenomenal. Sad they'll have to re-cast the daughter, as Annaleigh Ashford is currently with Legally Blonde.

The title change worries me, I can't lie, but I can't wait to see what shape the show has taken.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 3:56pm

"Really sad about the latest reading cast - the NYMF cast was perfection."

Huh? What reading cast?

There is absolutely no question that Amy Spanger must reprise her role. She was beyond fantastic, and I remember talking about it with her early on in Wedding Singer, and she said the piece meant so much to her, and how much she would want to headline the actual production. Here's hoping!

Also very much hoping that Joe Cassidy is asked to reprise his role as the father. He had a gorgeous singing voice, and was absolutely heartbreaking, especially considering the twist at the end. He, too, is very passionate about the project. But wait, shoot, when is the William Finn piece that he's being in going on next year? Uh oh...Hmm, nothing further seems to have been mentioned since it was initially postponed from April of last year, just that it will be performed at some point in the 2007-2008 season. Ohh, I really hope it's possible for him to do both.

Annaleigh might still be able to do it even though she's in Legally Blonde. I know a lot of non-principals have opt-outs in their Broadway contracts. No clue if Annaleigh does, or how long her intial contract is, but it would also be nice if she could reprise her role.

I definitely enjoyed Anthony's "rock star" performance. I can't remember the son's name, and I would also be happy if he reprised his role, but I wouldn't be that upset if he didn't get to.

I understand that some changes could have been made, and here's hoping for the best. I don't know why they changed the name--maybe worried that Feeling Electric sounded too much like something else? Too bad, I think it was a really good, original name.

Gotta say I'm also a tad nervous about Grief. Not too nervous, though. Here's hoping for a wonderful production, and I couldn't be happier about it finally happening!

[joniray]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 4:22pm

"What reading cast?"

There was a photo on Broadway.com back in, I think it was April that said it was from a reading of Feeling Electric (which I will continue to call the show no matter what the press release says - It had Phoebe Strole and Skyler Astin (from Spring Awakening) and Alice Ripley.
Updated On: 6/19/07 at 04:22 PM

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 4:31pm

I can't remember the son's name, and I would also be happy if he reprised his role, but I wouldn't be that upset if he didn't get to.

That would be the uber talented Ben Schraeder, I believe (I apologize if I'm spelling his last name wrong).

[Liverpool]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 4:43pm

oy the new name worries me. I hope it hasnt changed too much cause make at nymf it was amazing, maybe a little long, but an amazing show.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 6:41pm

I like the new name a lot better. This is from someone who has not seen nor heard a single thing in the show. Just throwing that out there.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 7:44pm

I liked the NYMF cast too, but I had the same problem with Joe Cassidy as I did with Amy Spanger, which was that neither of them believably look old enough to have a teenaged daughter and another child that would be even older. The one thing I find sort of disheartening about Michael Greif's direction is that it's very rarely daring, but rather feels as though in place of a distinctive vision, he allows himself to rely on the show to play itself. I think he'll be fine for this, though. The piece was pretty solid for the NYMF, and a lot of work's been done on it since. The name change doesn't bug me, per se. I will admit that I like the old one better, but it hardly seems something to get up in arms over -- it doesn't seem like license to get worried, to me. I don't like it as much, but I see no reason why it should magically indicate that they're going to f*ck up the show or something. I like Second Stage's work, and I'm glad they're the ones who are taking this on. I remember thinking it had a ton of potential if it could only be cut down to a more appealing length. Can't wait to see it in full production.

[Craww]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 10:56pm

Maybe they think the title Feeling Electric will inspire people to think of it specifically as a "shock treatment musical" as opposed to wide-spanning mental health piece. I don't think many would be quick to evoke Shock Treatment when selling a new musical.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 10:57pm

^Actually, that's literally what I thought of when I heard the title "Feeling Electric."

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:02pm

I think that's a fair assumption, but I have to say that when I heard the title "Feeling Electric," I certainly didn't go "oh, it must be about electroshock therapy!"

... it makes me think of like, eels.

Updated On: 6/19/07 at 11:02 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:05pm

I thought it had something to do with an electric guitar. Like, yeah, we're hard rockers... on Broadway! Hardkore. Updated On: 6/19/07 at 11:05 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:10pm

luvtheEmcee - Maybe if it was "Feeling Eelectric!"

[Craww]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 11:15pm

I don't know if the title alone would specifically make me think of shock treatment, but the title in conjunction with a write up or summary of the show would make me focus on that aspect moreso than with the new title.

I still prefer Feeling Electric as a title, though. And some eels would be awesome, but Flotsam and Jetsam are going to be busy over at the Little Mermaid.

[broadwayboy1017]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:04am

if amy spanger is not in this i will protest, who is with me?

[longshadowsfalling]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:18am

*raises hand* Me! I LOVED Amy in the part. The whole NYMF cast was amazing. I really hope that they get all of them back. The only one that I wouldn't be too upset if he didn't come back would be Benjamin Schrader. He's good, but I feel that there are other actors that would be better for the role. Personally, I think Michael Arden would be an amazing choice.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 1:41am

I'd be pretty heartbroken if Benjamin Schrader didn't reprise his role. From what I've read about earlier workshops, he's practically been with the show since conception. I think his work in it is phenomenal... what a voice!

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 7:52pm

Okay wow, I'm late reading this but I'm totally freaking out! This is SO exciting. I'm joining the bandwagon of those who don't like the name change. I like the title Feeling Electric; I think it fits the show and stands out more than 'Next to Normal'. It also makes me nervous to think that they changed other more important things, because I really thought the musical was practically perfect - casting, lyrics and everything.

I really love this show and it touched me so much, so I really hope that they don't change that much. The cast was actually amazing at the NYMF - Benjamin Schrader, Amy Spanger, and Joe Cassidy in particular. I really really hope they will be re-cast. So yea, wow, I've been waiting for this kind of news since I heard it back in '05, I can't wait to hear more about it.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/23/07 at 5:55pm

Skylar Astin has told people at "Spring Awakening" that he'll be leaving that show in November to do "Next to Normal" at Second Stage next year.

Which role did he play in the most recent workshop? The son?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:34am

Any idea when Phoebe is leaving? So she's probably Natalie? God, now I'm really depressed. I've never seen Spring Awakening and I really wanted to before any of the OBC left. Skylar's young enough that the only part he could play was Gabriel/Tweak, right? Now I'm really sad...

[bjivie2]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:25am

Dates haven't been announced for Next to Normal yet. I would think it's being based on Michael Greif's availability with the London production of Grey Gardens, which also hasn't been announced yet. Can't wait to book my flight out to see the show when it's dates are announced. I saw an early workshop in Seattle.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:27am

Astin and Strole are BOTH leaving SPRING AWAKENING for Next to Normal? Hmph. You stlll have some time to see the OBC. I mean, they probably won't be leaving 'til October or November. I know NEXT TO NORMAL officially opens in December (if I'm not mistaken)

[bjivie2]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:34am

2ST has it running in "Winter 2007."