#1
Posted: 6/3/09 at 8:50pm
So I was in NYC this weekend and finally got to see Next to Normal, which I've been reading raves about for the past year. Maybe it was because of all the hype, maybe it was because I was hoping to get a rush or cheapo nosebleed seat and all they had left was the expensive front-mezzanine, which I couldn't afford but bought anyway, but...I was honestly pretty underwhelmed by the show. Disappointed, really.
Don't get me wrong: I am THRILLED that Broadway has a completely ORIGINAL musical that is about an important subject matter, but after finally seeing it I wish because of those things that it could be even better. The score is not really memorable, the story, although new territory for musical theatre, has been explored endlessly in other mediums, and the whole thing seemed much better suited for off-Broadway (which is where it started). Aside from becoming eligble for Tony Awards, I don't see why they felt the need to bring it to Broadway, especially since the production (including the minimalist set design) is not really commercial fair (although I'm glad it's selling pretty well at the small Booth Theatre). I hope it turns a profit.
As for the performances, Alice Ripley, although clearly talented, was competant but nothing spectacular as Diana, and her voice was totally SHOT. It was the evening performance of a two-show day, on Sunday, the end of the Broadway week and she was obviously vocally exhausted. I know she had to go on because there were likely Tony voters in the audience, but really, I would have preferred to have seen the understudy since she was obviously not feeling well. Also, does anyone else think she sounds like she sings the role with a slight Irish accent, or am I crazy? She sounded like she was still doing James Joyce's The Dead.
Robert Spencer was fine, although his chorus-boy tenor was pretty worn out too. Jennifer Damiano was wonderful as the daughter and so was Aaron Tveit as Gabe. I know a lot of people are upset and surprised at his Tony nomination snub but as good as he was, his role didn't really ask for him to do anything other than glare down at his mother from upper-level and sing prettily (which he did). The big reveal about his...state is also a total rip-off of the first scene of David Auburn's Proof by the way.
Anyway, I feel bad dumping on a show that, despite its flaws, is a great sign of progress for modern musical theatre, but considering I spent $110 on a show that has been heralded as the best musical in years, I had to express my disappointment. Anyone else feel similarly?
Don't get me wrong: I am THRILLED that Broadway has a completely ORIGINAL musical that is about an important subject matter, but after finally seeing it I wish because of those things that it could be even better. The score is not really memorable, the story, although new territory for musical theatre, has been explored endlessly in other mediums, and the whole thing seemed much better suited for off-Broadway (which is where it started). Aside from becoming eligble for Tony Awards, I don't see why they felt the need to bring it to Broadway, especially since the production (including the minimalist set design) is not really commercial fair (although I'm glad it's selling pretty well at the small Booth Theatre). I hope it turns a profit.
As for the performances, Alice Ripley, although clearly talented, was competant but nothing spectacular as Diana, and her voice was totally SHOT. It was the evening performance of a two-show day, on Sunday, the end of the Broadway week and she was obviously vocally exhausted. I know she had to go on because there were likely Tony voters in the audience, but really, I would have preferred to have seen the understudy since she was obviously not feeling well. Also, does anyone else think she sounds like she sings the role with a slight Irish accent, or am I crazy? She sounded like she was still doing James Joyce's The Dead.
Robert Spencer was fine, although his chorus-boy tenor was pretty worn out too. Jennifer Damiano was wonderful as the daughter and so was Aaron Tveit as Gabe. I know a lot of people are upset and surprised at his Tony nomination snub but as good as he was, his role didn't really ask for him to do anything other than glare down at his mother from upper-level and sing prettily (which he did). The big reveal about his...state is also a total rip-off of the first scene of David Auburn's Proof by the way.
Anyway, I feel bad dumping on a show that, despite its flaws, is a great sign of progress for modern musical theatre, but considering I spent $110 on a show that has been heralded as the best musical in years, I had to express my disappointment. Anyone else feel similarly?
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