NEXT TO NORMAL Headed to Broadway's Longacre Theater, Previews Start March 27- Page 5

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 12:56am

her acting is infinitely more important in this show than her singing anyway.


but her singing is amazing.

[manic_magic_n2n2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 1:17am

AGREED, HER SINGING IS AMAZING. AMAZING... i love it. but i was just pointing out that in this particular show, IF there were someone who isn't pleased with her voice, they don't need to pay much attention to it anyway-- they should still be able to love the show, regardless. (although i don't really get why people don't love her voice... i think it adds so much to the show)

but yeah, i agree, her voice is incredible. i listened to almost three straight hours of alice in my itunes tonight haha.
Updated On: 2/18/09 at 01:17 AM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 2:09am

Ripley's voice isn't anywhere near what it used to be (her electrifying high belt has all but diminished,) but the raw vulnerability of her tone is extremely well suited to a piece like NEXT TO NORMAL.

[manic_magic_n2n2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 2:58am

i think her voice is still absolutely incredible even though it may not be the same as it sounded in Side Show, or something else of that time.

and yes, her voice is perfectly suited for next to normal. it fits the character astonishingly well.

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 4:01am

Sooo excited to hear N2N is coming to Broadway! Yay!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:29am

Anyone curious to see if Ripley has a matinee alternate?

Again I havent seen the show since 2ST but I imagine its still quite a workout of a role.

[burntplains]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:32am

She WON'T.. She plowed through everything at 2nd and arena. I highly doubt she would do something like that now..

she'll be there every show until she has her Tony. Updated On: 2/18/09 at 08:32 AM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:39am

Oh crap...I see endless board wars over the next four months: Janney fangirls vs. Ripley fangirls!

[burntplains]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:45am

I'm not going to sit here and debate but i've seen both shows numerous times and PLEASE, Ripley has it in the bag... i'd be SHOCKED if she didn't win

[East Village]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:29am

N2N is suppose to be about mental illness and psychiatry -- but it never shows more than a Lifetime Channel idea of what an actual mental illness is.

Rather than work that out, they decided to focus on the family drama. Seriously? That part of the show couldn't be more cliche or make Gossip Girl look more like Shakespeare.

Nice score? Absolutely...but is musical theater today only written for 14 year old girls who wear their emotions on their sleeves?

Maybe this is the wrong board to ask that question

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:35am

East Village, I couldn't agree with your sentiments more.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:37am

Agreed. Unfortunately, I see this show becoming the next Spring Awakening - a perfectly fine show that gets ruined by ridiculous fangirls who think the show is about them.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:39am

^ I totally agree. It's starting to happen already. I just hate when the fangirls ruin something. It totally turns me off from seeing the show.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:41am

Piragua, another point well taken. And one other itsy-bitsy point. The fangirls do not translate into box office gold and that, like it or not, is what keeps a show going. Period.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:44am

She WON'T.. She plowed through everything at 2nd and arena. I highly doubt she would do something like that now..

She actually missed a number of performances at Second Stage.

But she won't have a matinee alternate, though. Those are quite rare for new shows nowadays.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:56am

East Villaga and Ed_Mottershead ~ Did you see the retooled version or are you judging by what was at Second Stage? Essentially all the little quibbles the critics had with the show up here last year have been fixed in the retooling.

FWIW, the only performances Alice missed at Arena were for a previously arranged engagement she could not get out of. I was only aware of one day she was out at Second Stage...could have been more, but not many.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:58am

Alright guys, I'm starting a pool here: What percentage of Friday's BroadwaySecrets posts will be screenshots of the Playbill.com announcement with "fierce" or "can't.wait." written in swirly fonts?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:00am

Ripley missed several performances in previews at Second Stage due to illness.

jordangirl, you're aware of this, or maybe you've just forgotten.

Do you want me to dig up the posts from back then when you were discussing Ripley's absenses and hoping she would be in the next night, and the next, etc.?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:13am

There was ONE night I was aware of during Second Stage that it was due to illness. There may have been more, I was not aware of those.

But I do know that at Arena, the only performances she missed were due to that previous engagement.

I don't know what the hell I did to you Foster, but jeez. leave me alone.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:17am

You didn't do anything to me, sweetie pie.

I was just calling you out on your bluff, since you'll say whatever you can to put Ripley on a pedestal.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:19am

No dear. I realize she is human. :)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:21am

Nobody was doubting the fact that she is human.

But you don't have to intentionally "forget" information in order to prove her humanity.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:27am

The Charleston -
'I'm telling you right now.

The commitee will not shut SHREK, 9 TO 5, or BILLY out in the cold. The three biggie's are getting spots. I assure you,

Why are you so sure of that????, i personally could not disagree more. Last year the 2 biggies to arrive on Broadway (Little Mermaid and YF) did not receive a best musical nod? and they were pretty much shut out of all the major awards but a few.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:33am

Yes, but Shrek, Billy and 9 to 5 are GOOD.

[East Village]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:33am

P.S. I'm not above loving Alice or having my fangirl moments too. Just wish she had a more heady material to sink her chops into.

I felt at 2ndStage this was one musical that could work better by playing a little above the audience's head rather than below it.

And no, I didn't see Arena -- just heard about it at length from friends. I'll definitely revisit and sure I'll enjoy it if for no other reason than the score