Finally saw Next to Normal...some thoughts

[The Distinctive Baritone]

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?

[steven22]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:07pm

No..sorry but I do not agree, however you are entitled to your own opinion

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:15pm

Sunday evening was one of the strongest performances I've seen of the show period. Others around me who had seen it before agreed, and everyone I remotely heard was RAVING about it.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:18pm

" Anyone else feel similarly?"
Nope, like jordangirl said it was one of the strongest performances i've attended

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:20pm

You may want to credit Christy for your icon obsessedjb.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:21pm

Really sorry you were disappointed ..... it's your loss.

I saw this last Saturday night, and was back again for today's matinee. The second viewing only strengthened my feeling that this is one of the best theatrical experiences of recent years.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:22pm

"Alice Ripley, although clearly talented, was competant but nothing spectacular as Diana"

Hmmmmmmmm i dont agree AT ALL

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:25pm

Sorry you didn't like it. I loved it.

I though Aaron has a very challenging role which he consistently sings well.

It sounds like from the moment you paid full price you were jaded.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:27pm

Great. Now there's ANOTHER thread for Alice to b*tch about on facebook.

[Craww]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:48pm

As much as I love Alice in this show? I got the vitriolic hatred far more than someone calling her merely "competent" in the role. I suppose I can buy thinking it's terribly sung, but can't buy thinking it's anything but wonderfully acted.

So, I disagree. But thank you for stating your opinion about this show like an actual sane person. There's got to be a better way for me to phrase that... It's a total rarity, on both sides.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 10:01pm

Calling the reveal about Gabe a "rip-off" of Proof is a bit ridiculous. You could say that the first scene of Proof is just an inversion of the end of Sixth Sense.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 10:24pm

The same reveal was done in FOXFIRE in the mid 80s. It isn't exactly original.

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 10:36pm

I'm terribly sorry you didn't like it.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 10:45pm

Sorry you didn't fall in love with N2N as so many of us have. I saw the show on Sat matinee and was exhilarated by it. I've heard from MANY how wonderful the whole weekend it was.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 11:08pm

You quite eloquently stated my feelings on this show. I found the music far from memorable, pretty much one song sounding much like the next in both tone and timbre. The lyrics I felt were kind of lame in points.
I kept thinking "overacted Lifetime special" when I was watching it. I wanted some of those drugs Alice was singing about to put me out until curtain call.
I am happy that people are falling in love with this show. It will just have to be, for me, an "I really don't get why" show.

edited for typo

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 11:08 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 11:54pm

I can see where you're coming from, Baritone,even though I saw it last Saturday matinee and was very excited about it. And just to let you know, I think that's Alice's voice now, not that she was sick or anything. I'm sure she was tired after a five-show (?) weekend, but her voice has faded a bit now. That said, I really did enjoy your performance, but I was in the front row and could see all of her subtleties. Perhaps it doesn't really read in the mezzanine.

~Steven

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 11:56pm

Yeah, the schedule they have is really not good for Alice. They really should have a matinee alternate for Diana.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:00am

I agree with everything you said actually. I think I just wanted to like it too much, so therefore I was disappointed. I still think [Title of Show] is the best new original musical in years.

I'm sure Ripley will get an alternate after she snags her Tony. That seems to be the case with most shows. Evita, Color Purple, etc.

[raulmark]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:27am

I saw it for the second time tonight and I have to say I love this show. I think the score is very memorable and exciting. The entire cast was excellent and overall it was very original.
That being said...I am a big believer that no matter how great the show and performances are...you are only going to get the best experience out of it by your mood going in!
for example if your seat sucks ie. obstructed view and nosebleed...that can and, for me, has stopped me from enjoying something. I saw Rock of Ages the other night from the left side of the theatre and could not see a thing going on most of the stage..and the people next to me were annoying, plus I can in not feeling great, that effected how I enjoyed the show...it was not until the next day when listening to the cast recording that I realized I missed something.
I'm just saying that it's all relative...

[singingbackup]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:55am

Baritone:

I am more in your camp than the other. While I thought the performances were solid, voices were beautiful (Ripley was in good vocal form throughout), some of the music great, the overall evening was a bit exhausting and not as exhilarating as I had hoped. Subject matter is very intense, so that was no surprise. So much of the show was pitched so high (emotionally, as well as musically) I also thought the lyrics at times, were very predictable. I really wished they had explored a certain relationship not revealed right away (being vague so as not to be a spoiler)

Alice Ripley was quite moving and powerful and I do feel the Tony will be hers.

Peace.

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:08am

"I'm sure Ripley will get an alternate after she snags her Tony. That seems to be the case with most shows. Evita, Color Purple, etc."

If you're talking about LuPone having an alternate in Evita, she had one before she won the Tony, Terri Klausner.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:07am

If you're talking about LuPone having an alternate in Evita, she had one before she won the Tony, Terri Klausner.
plus the alternate precedent was set in London, when Elaine Paige had a matinee alternate.


Baritone, I thought you couldn't have been more eloquent and reasonable about posting your opinion. regardless of what my opinion is, I'm glad you were so thoughtful in how you expressed your disappointment in the show.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:13am

As usual, someone posts a negative response about a show to which many on this board feel an emotional connection and then gets jumped on. Whatever happened to respecting differences of opinion? The fact that he didn't like the show and you did, or vice-versa, shouldn't matter--everybody's opinion is valid.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:21am

This person hasn't been "JUMPED ON". This is one of the most respectful threads on these boards. Almost everyone here has politely disagreed or agreed. And are giving their reasons WHY they disagree. Most folks have even STATED respecting the OPs opinion. No one has invalidated anything. No one has been disrespectful -- folks have just added their two cents.

THAT'S what a discussion IS.

[changinandhow]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 9:23am

Who is jumping on Baritone? Many people disagreed with him and said they were sorry he didn't feel the same way they did about the show... no one told him his opinion was wrong or invalid.

Oops, dramamama beat me - exactly my thoughts, though!

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 09:23 AM