N2N Tour Rumor
N2N Tour Rumor
Swing Joined: 10/28/09
N2N Tour Rumor#1
Posted: 3/27/10 at 12:51am
Forgive me if any of this is already known, but I thought I'd share some info I received through a reliable source.
I know it is widely known that Next to Normal will likely be touring in the coming year, but I have heard from a source that Alice Ripley will be leaving the Broadway production in order to join the tour. My theatre professor at my university recently attended SETC in Kentucky, where she was introduced to a lighting designer whose spouse is a crew member in Next to Normal. In conversation, he mentioned the fact that Ripley will be joining the touring production. I'm stoked, because I'm not sure that I'll be able to make it to NY to see the show anytime soon.
On a side note, the designer also asked for my professor's card, as she is a former Broadway/off-Broadway performer who very much looks the role of Diana. Unfortunately, she's not interested in the part because of the language/content of the show, but it's still cool that he showed interest in referring her to the casting director.
Like I said, sorry if any of this information has already been shared, but in my quick look over the board I didn't see any talk about a N2N tour.
N2N Tour Rumor#2
Posted: 3/27/10 at 1:17amThis makes me a little sad. I love Alice and her performance, but I was looking forward to seeing another person as Diana.
N2N Tour Rumor#4
Posted: 3/27/10 at 2:34am
"Unfortunately, she's not interested in the part because of the language/content of the show, but it's still cool that he showed interest in referring her to the casting director."
Seriously?? lol. Does your professor have any idea how incredibly difficult it is to get ANY kind of acting work, let alone the lead in a Broadway musical? What is she teaching you? It's a one in a million shot that this person will even recommend her to the casting director at all, let alone actually get the role, yet she would turn down one of the most beautiful and challenging roles on Broadway due to language and CONTENT?? A family's struggle with a disorder and their desperate attempt to keep it together. How is that offensive in any way? I wouldn't trust her judgement on anything. Sorry, just my opinion.
Just out of curiosity, does she not allow you to study certain plays because of language and content? If so, she is closing the door on so many life-altering pieces of theatre.
Updated On: 3/27/10 at 02:34 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
N2N Tour Rumor#5
Posted: 3/27/10 at 2:41am
Well, I wouldn't be shocked if Ripley DID do the tour...but the rest of the story?? WAAAY, too many unbelievables.
N2N Tour Rumor#6
Posted: 3/27/10 at 3:27amWouldn't be surprised to see Ripley tour with the show. I really hope she does, actually. The fangirls around the country can get to meet their new idol, while the Broadway community can see a fresh face in the role.
N2N Tour Rumor#7
Posted: 3/27/10 at 3:53amLike Julia Murney. Her "So Anyway" is breathtaking.
N2N Tour Rumor#8
Posted: 3/27/10 at 9:07amBtw, the tour IS on, it was recently unofficially announced. Earlier this month they announced they'd be playing Philly, Seattle, and several other cities, with many more to be announced later. I was at Lion King in Philly on Tuesday and the tv screens were looping footage from ITH, N2N, Les Miz, Poppins, Burn the Floor, and several more shows.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
N2N Tour Rumor#9
Posted: 3/27/10 at 10:00am
No one has doubted the existence of the tour. A number of places have announced that it is appearing there. People are just commenting on the OPs statements about the drama professor.
N2N Tour Rumor#10
Posted: 3/27/10 at 10:28am
I'm all for it! When I saw the show in January, she was out. It would give me a chance to see Alice Ripley then.
I'm wondering if her husband would go on the road with her, since he's the drummer for the show. Hm....
Featured Actor Joined: 11/3/06
N2N Tour Rumor#11
Posted: 3/27/10 at 11:57am
"Seriously?? lol. Does your professor have any idea how incredibly difficult it is to get ANY kind of acting work, let alone the lead in a Broadway musical? What is she teaching you? It's a one in a million shot that this person will even recommend her to the casting director at all, let alone actually get the role, yet she would turn down one of the most beautiful and challenging roles on Broadway due to language and CONTENT??"
"Here I Am":
Some people have morals that they stand by no matter what. I am not saying I would turn down a role cause of language but I would if it affected my personal morals and values i uphold.
I think that the professor has a great deal of character and am impressed by her stance on the issue. Some things are more important than money, exposure, fame or the role of a lifetime!
"Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything"
Updated On: 3/27/10 at 11:57 AM
Stand-by Joined: 5/3/09
N2N Tour Rumor#12
Posted: 3/27/10 at 12:49pmI know that Alice is (was? it's been a couple months) interested in touring with the show. Whether she actually will, after contract negotiations and whatever else, is another story, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her do it.
N2N Tour Rumor#13
Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:22amI agree Spacedog. A person should have morals, of course. I'm just curious what is so offensive in Next to Normal. It's pretty tame compared to many other shows. Which roles would she take? Even classic "family-friendly" Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals (which changed the course of musical theatre by the way) deal with some incredibly racy issues. I'm just wondering what she teaches her students then. And what about work ethics? With this economy, a teacher should not be teaching her students to turn down any work.
N2N Tour Rumor#14
Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:45am
Like Julia Murney. Her "So Anyway" is breathtaking.
I just came back from hearing Julia sing this live tonight and I totally agree!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
N2N Tour Rumor#15
Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:45am
If the subject matter is too much for a college professor, what could she possibly be teaching her students -- Neil Simon over and over? (And I am not "dissing" Mr. Simon, at all.) Children's Theater?
What is Diana's "type"? Since Diana is an "average" mom....couldn't she look like....well, ANYONE?
And the lighting designer of an UNRELATED show would reccommend a total stranger (performance unseen) to the N2N producers? Really? Bwhahahahahahaha. Either the OP is delusional or the professor is. (and honestly, my money is on the professor)
Notice the OP has not returned to the thread....
N2N Tour Rumor#16
Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:46am
I love me some Alice Ripley, and I know the show is coming to the Fox next year. Dang! Why you gotta tease me like this...?
I'd love to see her tour with the show.
Swing Joined: 10/28/09
N2N Tour Rumor#18
Posted: 3/29/10 at 2:07pm
"Notice the OP has not returned to the thread...."
Sorry, it has just been a really busy weekend.
"If the subject matter is too much for a college professor, what could she possibly be teaching her students -- Neil Simon over and over? (And I am not "dissing" Mr. Simon, at all.) Children's Theater?"
Just because she wouldn't play a part that required her to compromise her morals, doesn't mean she doesn't teach theatre in the exact same way as any other college theatre professor. I did fail to mention, though, that I do attend a Christian university. However, we do study theatre objectively, not overlooking shows with bad language or racy subjects. So, her decision has nothing to do with how she handles her classes, she's just not willing to take on a show for herself that she feels would compromise her morals and influence her testimony as a Christian. She's a big fan of the show, its just a personal decision. I'm sure it had more to do with the language in it than anything. I agree with most of you - if it were me, I'd take the part in a heartbeat. Just explaining what she said, which wasn't even the main point of the thread.
"What is Diana's "type"? Since Diana is an "average" mom....couldn't she look like....well, ANYONE?"
She looks similar to Alice Ripley. Not that she could pass for Ripley, but she has the same hair color, age, style, etc. I agree, they could cast anyone, but they could also be looking for someone with similar appearances.
"And the lighting designer of an UNRELATED show would reccommend a total stranger (performance unseen) to the N2N producers? Really? Bwhahahahahahaha. Either the OP is delusional or the professor is. (and honestly, my money is on the professor)"
The main point here was just to let everyone know what I heard about Ripley doing the tour. Yeah, the story sounds far-fetched to me too, and even my professor said that they would probably never call. I guess it COULD be possible because the lighting designer is married to the stage manager of N2N. All I know is, he asked for her card and wanted to see how tall she was. And it doesn't really matter, because nothing will come of it. No one is making delusional claims that something could actually come of it, but it did happen and is interesting, so I thought I'd share.
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