I'm Feeling Electric! Dave goes to Next to Normal!

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:24pm

So today clearly by luck of checking my email early in the morning I got a chance(once again thanks to Jaystarr! My new best friend!) to see Next to Normal. I had actually planned on going anyway, so it worked out perfectly. I had heard a lot about the similarities to Spring Awakening (not just because one of the cast members was in SA) and since I have an undying love for that show I figured I must check it out.
Honestly, this show was fantastic. Easily the best thing I have seen of- Broadway of which I don’t see much and this certainly proves I should see more. Dealing with some heavy issues and adding to a perhaps overcrowded list of dysfunctional families in theater right now, this show is not for everyone. That said, it sure as hell worked for me!
Highlights:
THE CAST. Everyone in it was fantastic. One could certainly single our Brian d’Arcy and Alice Ripley, but I feel it would be criminal not to mention Aaron Trevit and the rest of the cast too. They all work extremely well together.

The Music! An interesting combination of Broadway, rock, and bluegrass, it is as good if not better than Spring Awakening. This music rocks a little harder than SA’s and I liked that. (Let me re-iterate that I love SA).

The Stage. A multi-level set that really worked well. They did an amazing amount with a relatively small space, it just flowed seamlessly. The lighting was phenomenal.

Now I know the people who don’t like this show mainly complain about its over-simplification of a very complicated subject. I agree, but at the same time think musicals have a rather limited amount of depth they convey, and this show did far more than most. Anyway I highly recommend this show and think that anyone who can should check this out before it closes next week!

It was also great to actually meet some other Broadwayworld people and definitely Jay and Chris! You two are awesome and I hope that I will get to see you at more shows in the future!

Kind of quick turnover since I don't want to actually study for my midterms. blehh.

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:25pm

I apologize for the rambling nature of that thread, but I wanted to get my thoughts out!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:26pm

Another friend of mine was there today as well and he texted me as soon as he and his mom were in the car going home. His mom is NOT one who will go back and see shows, and she was saying she would love to see it again.

I'd say that bodes really well for the changes!! And hopefully the future!!

[alliez92092]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:27pm

I'm so glad you like it! It makes me happy that this show is doing well and appealing to tons of people. I absolutely love it.

[snl89]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:32pm

I'm so glad you loved it!!

aaand I totally agree with you on pretty much everything.

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:43pm

im glad i am not alone in my views! so good. i want the cast recording NOW. they better do one. i heard some different answers from various cast members, but i will die if they don't!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:45pm

My guess is a recording may well depend on exactly HOW close they are to knowing for sure they're coming to Broadway. If it's only a matter of dates (getting a theatre, etc.) and they know it's happening (but aren't saying anything until there ARE dates, etc.), they may well decide to wait. If it's a little more uncertain, they may go ahead and do an OOBC recording just in case.

Edit just to clarify: I don't know anything for sure. This is my guess.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 07:45 PM

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:47pm

I say we go Ghandi and hunger strike if they don't do a recording. That'll show them *ANGRY FIST*

[snl89]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:48pm

^Apparantly, Tom Kitt has been saying the cast recording is a definite, so. YUSSS :P (though, like jordan said, it could be subject to change. And hey, if having to wait for the recording means that they're really close to getting an open run, HECK YES I'm all for that. Like seriously, as long as the cast would remain the same, I do not mind waiting in the name of an open run)


I think that once we get an official recording it will not be off repeat on my ipod for... many many months. Ooooh lord, it's going to be worse than it was after I saw Spring Awakening for the first time haha.


I absolutely. positively. cannot wait to here a full professionally recorded version of You Don't Know/I Am The One *dies* That scene is like.. one of the most intense, amazing things ever and it's going to be SO KILLER. And I'm Alive too. GAH.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 07:48 PM

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:48pm

liverpool...sounds like a great plan!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:48pm

Hey Dave! Nice to meet you today. I absolutely agree with you assessment about the show, I thought it was fantastic. I normally listen to hard rock so the score was to my tastes. I also really liked the set and lighting designs. Hopefully a cast recording does happen.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:51pm

*mourns the songs that will never be professionally recorded*

[alliez92092]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:53pm

Which ones are you mourning?

[aliciag]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:58pm

I am so glad you liked the show. I am getting the feeling that I need to see it again next weekend for the third time before it closes. Especially with the new changes.

And I really hope they do this cast recording and soon!

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:59pm

nice meeting you too!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 8:00pm

aliciag ~ I'd say if you can get back to see it with the changes, it's worth it. The show just flows so much better now. Even better than it did.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 8:04pm

Night
So Many Ways to Die
Electricity
Blue Skies
I've Been
4 Seconds, 16 Years (AKA what "A Little Lost of Memory" used to be)
Live Every Day



essentially every song cut between NYMF and 2ST

and now Costco.
Updated On: 3/8/08 at 08:04 PM

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:10pm

You don't know how mad I am that Costco was cut. I'm going to see it tomorrow, and that was one of the parts I was most looking forward to seeing. What songs are still in it?

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:11pm

everything i didn't mention in my post before yours.

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:20pm

all i have to say is thank god there are a couple of songs on youtube.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:20pm

Glinda, if you've seen it since it opened, "Costco" is the only one gone. They extended "Just Another Day" a little to go into the breakdown. It really does work better without "Costco". Really.

Edited to add: Liverpool ~ "Open Your Eyes" is gone...has been for a while.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 09:20 PM

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:23pm

yeah, but i don't really miss it.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:25pm

Oh, ok.

[snl89]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:28pm

Night
So Many Ways to Die
Electricity
Blue Skies
I've Been
4 Seconds, 16 Years (AKA what "A Little Lost of Memory" used to be)
Live Every Day


I REALLY loved Blue Skies, I've Been, and Live Every Day. However, I do completely understand why they were cut with the way the show has evolved. I still think that the sentiments of I've Been still totally work and therefore it could be back in the show, but I do understand that the wonderful flow of that part of the show would be messed up if it was back in. As much as I do love the insight into Dan's character that I've Been gives, they've reworked that chain of scenes so that the focus really stays on Diana and the prospect of ECT. If they added I've Been again, it would take the focus away from that and put it on Dan, only to go right back to discussing Diana and the ECT again. So, as much as I WISH it could work, I see why it doesn't.

And obviously Blue Skies and Live Every Day just cannot possibly work because Natalie's character and her arc has been totally changed. But musically, I love them a lot :) I wish they could like.. just record them for the fun of it and then add them as some kind of bonus thing to the actual recording. lol. Obvs. NEVER going to happen, but it would be fun to have.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 09:28 PM

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 9:34pm

yeah i understand Blue Skies and Live Every Day being gone (LED has pretty much been replaced by Next To Normal or whatever that song is called) Electricity being gone makes sense too since almost all of the college scenes have been excised. Night and So Many Ways... really give us great insight into Diana's character but I realize that having 3 songs before the breakdown (where the action really begins) doesn't work. But i think its a sin that I've Been is no longer in the show.