N2N/Hair Reviews

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 8:37pm

Thought I'd share.

Next to Normal - 1/29

Tried the lotto and lost, so we went ahead and bought the lotto loser seats. Definitely worth it! Upon opening my Playbill, I immediately noticed the understudy slip for Diana and was hit with a wave of disappointment...that disappeared as soon as Jessica Phillips stepped onstage. Holy cow! Vocally, she was spot on. Based on various clips I've seen of Alice, it seemed like Jessica's take on Diana was a bit more subtle (which worked very well). J Robert Spencer was phenomenal as Dan; his voice is to die for, and he definitely invoked some tears during I Am the One (Reprise) (I was tearing up, which never happens to me during shows). Jennifer Damiano sounded a bit strained during Everything Else, but the strained sound was gone pretty quickly after; and, again, what a phenomenal voice (I'm probably going to say that about everyone now that I think about it)! Kyle Dean Massey made me physically ache in my seat with all of his running around (particularly during I'm Alive), yet he managed to sound spot on through it all. I only wish I had that kind of stamina. He's also pretty dang good-looking. Louis Hobson was pretty bland, but it didn't seem like he had a whole lot of room to do much (although his monotone facial expression definitely could have changed at least once...). Adam Chanler-Berat was cute as Henry, he got most of the laughs. Song-wise, the audience seemed to love Superboy and the Invisible Girl and I'm Alive the most; Jessica seemed surprised at the rousing ovation she received at the curtain call (I can't imagine why, it was well deserved!). The lighting was incredible, definitely deserved the Tony nomination. All in all, one of the top theatrical experiences of my life. 5/5

Hair - 1/31

Managed to win the lotto for this one. Such a fun 2 1/2 hours! I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time (except for the dramatic points, of course). Had goosebumps for the entirety of Hair and Flesh Failures/Let the Sunshine In. Gavin Creel's voice was amazing, although I was a bit underwhelmed by his acting. Will Swenson had me in stitches for half the show; according to the girls behind us (who seemed to be borderline obsessed with the show), he was improvising much more than usual. Megan Reinking (Jeanie), Bryce Ryness (Woof), and Caissie Levy (Sheila) were fine in their respective roles, though nothing particularly stands out. Jeanette Bayardelle, in her brief appearance as Abraham Lincoln, was a definite stand-out; lots of laughs, and a killer voice! The band for the show was almost as much fun to watch as the cast, they seemed to really enjoy it (and they sounded phenomenal as well). 4/5

[steven22]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 9:29pm

two amazing shows with amazing casts! Lucky!

glad you enjoyed them

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 9:45pm

"Song-wise, the audience seemed to love Superboy and the Invisible Girl and I'm Alive the most"

Well, you have to be fair that those are two of only five or six times when the audience is supposed to applaud at the end of the song. Everybody might have loved I've Been, but you wouldn't no because it goes right into dialogue with no applause break.

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 9:48pm

I love N2N, and I saw it with the entire OBC (including Alice)
Alice was screechy, but that's her style and I love it, but now I'm interested in seeing Jessica Phillips take a turn at Diana.

I'm seeing HAIR on Wednesday, so happy to know it was good!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 10:18pm

I saw Jessica again Sunday night. Her act 2 is simply brilliant. Absolute perfection and every bit as good as Alice's. There are still some things in act 1 she does that I don't care for (she's a little too goofy, and her I Miss the Mountains sounds like it should be on the Easy Listening radio station), but her performance overall is great.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 11:11pm

Broadwayboy101....I was at Hair the same day you were...I do have to agree with everything you said about the show...Will definately improved a lot more then usual. My favorite improv was during I Got Life after Gavin sang "and I'm gonna spread it around the world..." Will says "I love it when he spreads it" Gavin was having a hard time singing after that...Glad you enjoyed the show :)

[purtynpynk]

Posted: 2/1/10 at 11:32pm

I also saw both shows this weekend. It was my first time to New York, first time seeing these shows, and I was impressed by both.

I was at the same performance of N2N that you were. I was just blown away by Jessica! We were a little upset when we saw that it was an understudy, but she was amazing! I felt kind of eh about Kyle Dean Massey though. Maybe it's because I saw videos of Aaron, but I liked Aaron's videos better. I don't know. Definitely got emotional during the show at a few parts.

We saw Hair on 1/30's matinee. Gavin Creel was out for the matinee, but his understudy Paris was fabulous! The show has so much energy and fun that I was laughing and so excited the whole time. I don't think a smile ever really left my face besides the dramatic parts. Danced on the stage at the end, and overall, such a blast!