My Next to Normal mini-Review

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:01pm

I saw Next to Normal last night and I'm just gonna come right out and say it. It was the most emotional theatrical experience I've had ever! There were no understudies that night. I thought the whole cast was brilliant. Alice Ripley is a force of nature. There were a couple of pitchy moments but I didn't mind. That whole cast is singing and acting up a storm. The whole time, I was on the edge of my seat and by the end, I was a sobbing mess. My one complaint (and this is gonna sound so retarded), those lightbulbs in the backdrop were pretty bright. I had to squint when they were on. I got pictures with Louis, Bobby, Kyle and Adam (who's doing a peace sign in his picture) but Jenn didn't come out (I knew she wouldn't) and the woman at the stage-door said Alice would sign and stop to talk to people but she wouldn't pose with people. So I left. I'm still on a high from the whole experience.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:16pm

For those who connect with the show, it is indeed an intense experience - great to hear that it worked for you.

[Nick Plasia]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:23pm

"A couple pitchy moments?" She is flat
pretty much all the time. You must not
have a very good ear.

[kristin_bernadette]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:26pm

That's weird, I got a picture with Alice when I saw it last month.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:33pm

I saw it for the first time yesterday at the matinee and basically and got a picture with everyone besides Jenn and Alice (who didn't come out).

Here is my mini review as taken from other threads I reviewed on...


SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue at your own risk...



I like to read the synopsis (including spoilers!) before going into a show so I knew Gabe was dead. I think, knowing that, let me enjoy the show more and have a full understanding from the beginning.

It definitely wasn't as depressing as I was expecting, and I very much enjoyed the underlying jokes also making it light and not as depressing.

I had some tears at the end of act 1, especially when they wheeled out Diana on the gurney (somewhat because I really related to it having gone through somewhat of the same experience, so it became a personal aspect).
And I definitely has some tears throughout the second act (especially seeing how much it affected the dad).


The cast is tremendously talented. While I didn't think that Natalie and Henry had much chemistry, I suppose it worked for what it was supposed to be...it wasn't supposed to be a "normal" type of relationship.

Overall, I give it a B++

Updated On: 8/23/09 at 10:33 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:35pm

Well, TimesSquareRegular, the show does indeed resonate with me in many ways.

But I am not lying when I say that it is the most brutally honest musical I've ever seen and I applaud the producers who had the guts to bring this show to Broadway.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 11:44pm

I had the forunate to get a picture with Jennifer Damiano(she was so nice) when I saw it on August 4th. Unfortunately Alice didn't come out when I saw it so I was disappointed but I'm going back when Aaron returns so I'm excited again!
Glad you enjoyed the show.

[KMOTTERBELT]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 11:59pm

Nick She is not flat most of the time. Alice Ripley has great Intination and tone. For the demands of that show espically on a two show day I could imagine her voice being Fatigued. 8 shows a week. Imagine that on such a powerful show. And where did you get your ear from? What degree do you have that qualifies you to down someone else. Maybe you had a bad night. Its called Live Theatre bc things happen. No performer is perfect so why don't you stop being Critical and enjoy the Art of what these people make rather then look for the worst in them. Also your ear may be hearing her placement, which as an actor getting a dgree myself I would suggest different placement on her part, but that doesnt make her Flat pretty much all the time.

[Nick Plasia]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:07am

I've got perfect pitch, dumbass. She's been flat
whenever I've heard her.

[KMOTTERBELT]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:14am

You think you have perfect pitch. No offence and maybe you do, but a lot of people say that and they dont. I dont have perfect pitch. I can't have someone tell me a pitch and I can sing it. I do however have great intination, tone, and lots a training. High School and College. I dont think you need to use Foul language bc all foul language means is you dont have enough knowledge of useful words. Like I said you may have seen her on a bad night so get over yourself and your perfect pitch and enjoy life, and theatre.

[Nick Plasia]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:25am

Bite me.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:39am

"I've got perfect pitch, dumbass."

.....now, if you could just do something about your attitude and manners.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 7:54am

Preach it, TimesSquare.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 8:19am

She is not "flat MOST of the time". But regardless....Nick, why did you have to begin attacking a poster for his choice of words?

[Libby1209]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:43pm

I have to say that when I saw the show, I too thought that there were quite a few notes that seemed flat. But hey...nobody's perfect. It didn't detract from the show as a whole.


PS..Nick...love that photo! Updated On: 8/24/09 at 12:43 PM

[steven22]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:05pm

I'm seeing the show for the third time on Sunday..I will def review then!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 11:32pm

Jennifer came out at SD tonight.