NEXT TO NORMAL Headed to Broadway's Longacre Theater, Previews Start March 27- Page 7

[changinandhow]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:51pm

Yep, that was his first time on.
Updated On: 2/18/09 at 07:51 PM

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:52pm

The understudy at 2ST was pretty good at covering Henry. I saw him go on (at what im fairly certain was his first time covering the role) and while it started out a little iffy, he got comfortable and really shined in the second act.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:59pm

Shined?

[winter_sky]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:07pm

Corey Boardman?

I saw him as Henry my first time seeing the show. He was serviceable.

[Amneris]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:27pm

I am so excited for this show to come. I hope it has a great life.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:50pm

Anyone think they'll "bling" out the show a little more now that they have Broadway money?

And I hope by recording the cast recording, that they haven't set the show in stone. I still think it needs some work.

First, I hate having the "nurses" and "doctors" on during her operation. It just looks messy. And wasn't one of them not a cast member? If I remember correctly, I counted, and one wasn't a cast member.

Second, I still don't think the transition form Act 1 to Act 2 works well. Act 1 ends on a downer note and in no ways makes the audience want to stick around to see what happens. What they should do, is have the dad singing "Light In the Dark" - or whatever it's called - and have the doctor come out and admit Diana into her surgery with the act ending with a reprise of "Just Another Day" or something to that effect. The way it ends now it's just so "okay..." and then the way Act II starts is just so messy and jumbled. But I guess there's no hope for them changing it now. I think with a few minor tweaks, like that, the show could go from being good to being excellent.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:56pm

Does this show have a website? I couldn't find one for it.

[changinandhow]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:01pm

http://www.nexttonormal.com

There's nothing up yet besides an email sign-up for their mailing list, though.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:01pm

Maybe I'm not remembering correctly, but when does Diana have an operation?

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:03pm

Clearing rentboy meant the ECT


and with the cutting of Feeling Electric they changed the way the ECT scene occurs and have gotten rid of some of the excess (including the person on stage that was a stagehand)

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:09pm

Actually one of the "extras" is Aaron. The other "extra" at Arena rotated between Timothy and Michael. The "extra" for Diana on the gurney rotated between Mary and Meghann.

But since people are being such sticklers for accuracy, with anesthesia occurring, there would have to be an anesthesiologist and another nurse for additional support. They are in no way unnecessary.

Updated On: 2/18/09 at 09:09 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:10pm

Not when I saw it in DC. I'm pretty sure there was a stagehand still, which just seemed stupid.

I just hope they clean up those two things and work on the set. When Gabe was in the "attic," I don't think it really worked because at Arena Stage, the lights were in his way because of the theater's height. But of course, I'm sure that will be changed.

I like this show and I want to see it do well, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its faults that can be cleaned up.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:19pm

See the response above yours RentBoy. :)

The "extras" are Aaron and understudies. No stagehands.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:25pm

I'm not saying they aren't "necessary" in the realistic sense, but this is theater. When we're use to seeing, what, six people on stage all night, and then to throw in some more into the mix, it just gets confusing and takes the audience out of the story.

It doesn't matter if they're stagehands or understudies, it's still seems too excessive and messy. And I know one of them is Aaron, but I wish Gabe was in the "attic" during it. I think it would help with the story telling if he was sort of all over the place, then gradually started to disappear while he was singing the back-up for "wish I were here..."

[heo1128]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 2:14am

Do you guys think there's a good chance of having to push back the first preview day?

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 3:09am

I don't see why. Its not a technically difficult show, there probably won't be changes from the arena production (except for maybe going back to some of the 2ST blocking involving the third level since there will more height at the Longacre than Arena. I assume they'll seek a musician waiver so they wont need to do any work with the orchestrations.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 9:56am

Also, as the first preview day was just set two days ago and nothing has changed/nothing forseeable will change, I doubt anything will be pushed back.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 10:03am

I agree. This is not a show with trap doors or heavily technical things (one set of doors on a pulley system, one set that is moved manually, and furniture that is moved manually) to go wrong. I'm pretty sure we can safely bank on the given first preview date being the first preview date. They have a couple of days with music stuff and a week of tech.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 10:04am

Are you stalking the production team, jordangirl?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 10:08am

Actually I don't have to justify anything to you foster. So sorry.

Updated On: 2/19/09 at 10:08 AM

[heo1128]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 10:37am

Ah ok. I hope you guys are right! I'll be in the city the weekend of the 27th and I won't be back for several years, so....

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 7:03pm

SOOOOOO happy. I hope this will recieve a Tony Nom.


Love me some Tviet and Ripley!!!

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 8:39pm

dramamama: I agree , I too hope it gets a Tony nomination at least. Sounds like a show that has earned its' way to Broadway. Exciting to see it get a chance. By the way, if you don't mind my asking: What level do you teach? Secondary, college or other? Just curious.

[Broadway Baby 2]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 10:56am

I have heard such wonderful things about this show. I am happy it is coming to Bway so I can see it.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 2/21/09 at 12:55am

The location is better and the seat number is a little less than they'll have after they close the balcony at the Longacre, but the rent is actually probably better at than at the booth. It is another shubert theatre so they could move.