NEXT TO NORMAL Press Preview Review (No Spoilers)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:28am

I saw NEXT TO NORMAL tonight. Ben Brantley was in the audience.

I'm starting this separate thread for people who want a review of the frozen production without spoilers.

This was my first time seeing the show, and I really had no idea what to expect prior to going in.

Tom Kitt's score is fantastic -- a blend of traditional musical theatre pop/rock (think PIPPIN) and more modern pop/rock (think TOMMY).

The cast is top notch all around. It's always a pleasant surprise to see former standbys and understudies from past shows finally getting their chance in the spotlight. I was so used to seeing Jennifer Damiano sitting quietly in the bleachers through SPRING AWAKENING, singing along with a microphone while the real action took place center stage. She really shines here in a central role.

Alice Ripley gives a very strong, tender performance, with challenging vocals (she has been recovering from a cold, and it was evident tonight, but her strong acting ability made up for the times when she couldn't land all of the singing moments).

Aaron Tveit has a strong, fierce, rock star quality voice, while at the same time possessing strong, tight acting skills. He and Ms. Ripley are the true stars of the show.

Brian d'Arcy James is pretty great in an underwritten part, and Adam Chanler-Berat is wonderful in an important supporting role.

All of that said, the very troubling book here is damaged, it seems, beyond repair. Librettist Brian Yorkey appears to have gained his knowledge of mental illness and its treatment from television and movies, instead of researching the actual facts. As a result, he presents an incredibly inaccurate, stigmatizing, and reprehensible portrayal of depression, bipolar disorder, and its treatments.

What is presented here is sensationalized, unrealistic, and offensive to anyone who knows what it's like to try to get those in their lives to understand the truth behind depression and to stop misinformation and discrimination at home and in the workplace -- all a result of popular media's stigmatization of a very serious health issue.

I know. It's just a musical. But this is my take. I think the book writer here, like with many musicals, is trying to connect the characters with its audience, and unfortunately, I doubt purposely, he is presenting a series of false truths that make people who may be considering they suffer from mental illness more afraid to seek help.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:35am

I have to disagree with your statements. Diana is dealing with far more than depression in this show. I don't see how it's offensive. It's not telling people medicine doesn't work. For Diana, medicine DOES work. She doesn't have the same bad feelings, but she doesn't have any feelings, which is the problem. She throws out the meds because she misses the reality of life, and the pain. I respect your opinion, I just can't see how it's offensive in any way. Diana does seek help. It's not discouraging people against it. She's been seeking it for 16 years. It's HER story, it shouldn't have to worry about giving anyone else the wrong impression.
Updated On: 2/10/08 at 12:35 AM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:39am

"She doesn't have the same bad feelings, but she doesn't have any feelings, which is the problem."

I don't find that to be true, in general. When people who are very depressed start taking medication that works, they do feel "numb" at first, because they're not used to feeling NORMAL. They think they're not feeling anything because they're not having crazy ups and downs, when in reality, they're just feeling normal and balanced. To send the message that throwing out medication is okay or a good idea is wrong in my opinion.

But, I don't think Next to Normal sends that message, Diana DOES leave to recieve proper help in the end, getting off her meds DIDN'T work, it made her worse in the end.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:40am

Foster, my friend, glad you enjoyed the show, and thank you kindly for the review. I will try my best to pass on your warm regards to Jenn.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:40am

Honestly, I think it's just that a great deal of how you receive this show has to do with your own (if any) personal experiences with mental illness. I can see how people find it offensive or too simplistic. But, I'm also very moved by the story, because of something I've been through regarding mental illness. It's a difficult, complicated issue, and there's really no right or wrong.

Updated On: 2/10/08 at 12:40 AM

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:40am

But, the point is Diana has been dealing with meds for a longgggg time. She knows the feeling, it's not new to her, so she is able to make that judgement on her feelings.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:41am

I agree, emcee. People's experiences with depression and mental illness have differed so much. Everyone will react differently to it.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:42am

My problem here is the depiction of the VERY uncommon use of electro-convulsive therapy today, and the after effects of it, which is presented ridiculously here, with the character having complete amnesia following her treatment (which is NEVER the case), and lyrics like "fry her brain," which only present a stigma that is out of date about a procedure that is hardly EVER used anymore.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:43am

"But, the point is Diana has been dealing with meds for a longgggg time. She knows the feeling, it's not new to her, so she is able to make that judgement on her feelings."

I don't think she is able to make an accurate or objective judgment on her feelings, since she's not mentally stable, the fact that she's been on medications for so long is proof of that.

But all of that aside, I really do enjoy the show, and found it to be very moving. I cried, it reminded me of so many different things in my life...I absolutely loved it.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:44am

But the people who are saying the fry your brain lyric are the people who are discouraging Diana from doing it (I can't remember whether it's Gabe or Natalie).

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:45am

But, don't forget that the after effects of her throwing out her meds are problematic. She attempts suicide. It's not exactly sending out a message that it's a great thing to do.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:48am

Actually Foster, I was at a talkback with Brian and someone asked him specifically about the ECT. He did in fact do his research in a legit way, and yes, ECT is still used in extreme cases like Diana's where she's been in therapy for years and the medication hasn't worked. That creates a resistance to medication, and add that to Diana's suicidal tendencies and her personal resistance to medication, what Dr. Madden says to Dan is right on. I know. My cousin is facing this decision right now, so it's not some flash from the past tv-special pop psychology. It DOES happen.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:48am

I didn't say that it presents attempting suicide as a great thing to do.

I said the way treatment is portrayed here, which is very inaccurate, would prevent people from seeking treatment, as opposed to encouraging them to seek treatment, if they felt they might be suffering from mental illness.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:50am

But that's where everyone has different opinions. In my opinion, this is Diana's story. It's not a story mirroring everyone's life. In Diana's story, this is the best path for her. It shouldn't be altered to send a message.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:51am

Jordan, it is used still, in extreme cases, but the after effects of amnesia as portrayed here is completely false and ridiculous.

ECT is the equivalent of having a seizure. You don't forget your daughter's name or that you're in your home after you have a seizure.

[masb19872]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:53am

"My problem here is the depiction of the VERY uncommon use of electro-convulsive therapy today, and the after effects of it, which is presented ridiculously here, with the character having complete amnesia following her treatment (which is NEVER the case), and lyrics like "fry her brain," which only present a stigma that is out of date about a procedure that is hardly EVER used anymore."

Actually, about 90-100,000 people receive ECT annually in the US. Something like one million get it worldwide. Yes, the number is
decreasing, but it isn't that uncommon. And some people do lose years of memories, although it's not common.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:54am

You're right. In extreme case, people lose their memories of years that have passed before the treatment. Most of the time it's weeks or months, but there have been cases where people forget landmark events from years passed.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:56am

Yep. The only part that's a stretch is the non-notification that the memory loss may be that extreme. My cousin has been informed of that very remote possibility ~ which is why she's really thinking it over.

Updated On: 2/10/08 at 12:56 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:52am

It's a great off-Broadway show. And it's the perfect example of a show which should be seen by a wider audience. But it should be seen by a wider audience a year from now, not in two months so it can meet the Tony deadline.

In a year, it could be the new big thing. But it would also open along with Shrek and Billy Elliot. This year, it's greatest competition is In the Heights. They're really between a rock and a hard place. Open now, when the show is 75% there, or open in a year when it's 100% and risk getting overlooked.

Foster, what did BB think?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:59am

His facial expression is always a mix of disoriented and miserable, but as he walked back from intermission, he did have sort of a half smile on his face.

Updated On: 2/10/08 at 07:59 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:04am

Haha.

He was actually grinning from ear-to-ear during The Seafarer. I thought it was really strange!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:14am

The last time I saw him in person before last night was at YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and he was most definitely not a happy camper then. He was the only person in the first ten rows of the Orchestra sitting down during the standing ovation.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:19am

Yankee ~ I actually agree with waiting until next season. I feel like they'd be too rushed getting into a place and up and running (unless they already have a place and have just kept mum about it) to be effective. Little shows have succeeded against big behemoths (and do we KNOW that Shrek will have an amazing score...or will it be a "wow! another green person for the kiddies!" thing?) before, and this one could do it.

That said, my God, Alice's voice breaking from illness aside (which honestly managed to happen at the really emotional points, so it actually kind of worked), last night was by far the best I've ever seen it. The last part of "You Don't Know/I Am The One"...CHILLS from the moment Diana got up. They were all dead on last night and it was amazing.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:21am

I didn't even realize you were there last night, Jordan.

Where were you sitting?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:23am

Front Row A105. :) I stayed in bed ALL DAY Friday with that stupid stomach virus and had nothing but crackers and soda so I'd be ok. I was. :)

Where were you?