Finally saw Next to Normal...some thoughts- Page 2

[clever name]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:00am

I am completely baffled by the "jumped on" comment. dramamama pretty much said what I was going to say, too.

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:29am

Perhaps I'm in the minority. I love the show, but I liked it better when it still alternated between black comedy and intimate drama. The "Lifetime Special" feel was sort of held at bay by the brief excursions into Diana's mind, such as "Costco," and her repeated hallucinations of the rock-star version of Dr. Madden. However, to be fair, I think those are moments that would work better on film than on stage.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:31pm

Baritone...I follow what you are saying. Although I didn't hate Next to Normal I would not say I liked it either. I am more on the side of not recommending it to anyone. Those who I have issued warnings not to go, went and came back saying "I should have listened and not went."

Want it to be clear - I LOVE Alice Ripley. I saw her in Side Show, I have her CDs with Emily. With that said - Next to Normal is not what I consider her best work. I am considering that it is not her fault but the material she has to work with too. Sorry but I do not think Alice deserves as award for this.

I went with 2 friends (SNAFU was with me) and of the 3 of us, I liked the show the best.

I did like the set and I liked that they used all levels. I was glad I sat in the mezz or else my neck would have hurt from looking up to the second and third levels.

I enjoyed 2 songs and since I saw the show last month...I don't remember them, care to figure it out or even have a desire to hear them again.

Without giving it away - there were 2 things that surprised me in a 'wow'/'cool' good way:
- the birthday cake scene (first act)
- the son hugging the father scene (second act)

Towards the end there were a few moments I thought the show was over and could have ended and then another scene/song took place - so that puzzled me too. Show could have just ended for me after the son hugging the father scene and I would have been satisfied.

So I went with an open mind knowing the subject matter and still after telling you the things I did enjoy...just don't 'get it'. Sorry - glad people enjoy it. I am happy that it is doing good. I was not a Rent, Spring Awakening or Title of Show fan either but I went to see Rent on Broadway and the movie, just hardly made it through the Spring Awakening CD and went to Title of Show. Broadway does need the diversity of shows to make everyone get the warm feelings to return again and again!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 3:51pm

I don't feel jumped on. It's cool. I know that people can get very passionate about shows they love. I actually appreciate the respectfulness with which some people replied.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:15pm

I'm glad Distintive....cuz I thought we were having a nice discussion.

I am so incredibly moved by the piece ...and moreso the second time I saw it (which suprised me!) that makes me want to respond to those that didn't experience what I did so cathartically (sp?)!

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:15pm

Well, you didn't write your review with anything but respect and intelligence, so that's what you deserve back. It's good to have differing opinions. Gets a good discussion going.

~Steven

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:24pm

I am just so excited to see a new musical that's completely original. I feel that is exactly what Broadway needs.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 6/7/09 at 1:17pm

Let's be honest folks. I love Next to Normal. Was very moved
and though Alice Ripley was amazing but...

This show is not for everyone. It's heavy and not what you'd expect from a "classic" broadway experience. It also asks for a certain maturity level from its viewer. We don't all have it and we don't know the age of the "Naysayer"

Also when a show is hyped beyond expectation--disappointment almost always sets it ( I was disappointed in Jersey Boys) but people will argue with me.

Not every show is for everyone. Let's accept difference of opinion and not take it personally.

Alice Ripley was brilliant
the music and lyrics amazingly intelligent

But If i weren't prepared for what I was about to see ( a serious musical about mental illness) I may not have liked it either.

[steven22]

Posted: 6/7/09 at 5:22pm

I'll agree that Next To Normal is very heavy and expects a lot from the audience ...but thats what I LOVE about it..It makes you feel something...Don't get me wrong, I love shows like Shrek, Wicked, and the Lion King..but those don't give you the same feeling that N2N provides...N2N is raw and takes you on an emotional roller coaster

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/7/09 at 5:25pm

I'm with you Steven. And I'm not surprised that not everyone loves it....just disappointed since it is such a meaningful experience for me, I want everyone else to experience the beautiful catharsis that I do!

And I agree: nothing wrong with happy, happy, joy, joy type of theater either....entertain me in many ways! Just don't insult my intelligence with garbage pretending to be art. (And I'm not throwing stones at any show in particular with that comment.)

[steven22]

Posted: 6/7/09 at 5:37pm

I'm really hoping N2N does well tonight....Best Musical and Actress for Alice Ripley will really help this show last as long as it should...but like I said before...it isn't a feel good musical like Billy Elliot..so who knows?...Next To Normal NEEDS to..and MUST win....I'm really rooting for them

[raulmark]

Posted: 6/7/09 at 11:24pm

even though it didn't win Best musical, it did win 3 Tony Awards, right? that's pretty awesome and gave it plenty of attention

[singingbackup]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 2:13am

I will be 47 next month, and though young at heart, think I pass the maturity test.

[steven22]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 6:29am

again..I agree with dramamamma..this showed moved me SO much!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 6:49am

Oh, Steven...you keep flattering me like that and people will begin to talk!