Feeling Electric — Page 4

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

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.

"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

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.

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.

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

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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

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.

*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.

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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.

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...

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)