NEXT TO NORMAL Reviews- Page 3

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:18pm

Please...do not turn this thread into a Tony prediction thread. I'm happy for them! This has made me interested...I may have to look into seeing it!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:19pm

Makes me wonder if Brantley has anything left for 9 to 5.

He'll do his best, I'm sure.

(opening sentence for 9 TO 5:) "OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!"


Backstage is Negative:

"Yorkey's lyrics still lack specificity, relying too often on platitudes frequently shared by several characters simultaneously with supposedly different meanings. The arbitrary use of false rhymes (dark/apart, did it/hit it) doesn't help. Kitt's varied score gives the show energy, but the employment of rock to dramatize anger becomes generalized and distancing... [do not read on if you don't want the ending spoiled, as well as some other surprises. Shame on you, Backstage.]"

http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003962838


Bloomberg News [with Jeremy Gerard] is Mixed-to-Positive:

"Superbly cast and staged by Michael Greif, ?Next to Normal? is a distinctly modern musical. Lights frequently glare into the eyes of audience members. Mark Wendland?s skeletal, multitiered set features the black-and-white image of a house that resembles a newspaper photograph blown up so all the dots of ink turn it into a kind of Rorschach test.

That?s an apt description of the show itself. How you respond will depend a great deal on your tolerance for a musical in which love is fearlessly twisted beyond recognition."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601098&sid=ajH_Vu1L011o&refer=movie


The Hollywood Reporter is Mixed-to-Negative:

"While admirably attempting to examine an undeniably important and too-little-discussed health issue, "Normal" is too superficial to be taken seriously, and its explanation of the cause of Diana's illness feels entirely too pat. (This might be a minority opinion, judging by the reactions of many clearly moved audience members.)

Director Michael Greif gives his staging the full "Rent" treatment, infusing the proceedings with perhaps more energy than advisable. And Mark Wendland's abstract, three-tiered set is more redolent of a futuristic cell block than a suburban house.

There should be no quibbles, though, about Ripley's powerfully fierce and moving performance, which should garner significant attention come awards time."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/theater-review-next-to-normal-1003962835.story

[Kad]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:23pm

Really, shame on Backstage for so flagrantly revealing one of the show's biggest twists- particularly when every other review has avoided doing so.


...and Bloomberg did it, too.

Updated On: 4/15/09 at 11:23 PM

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:23pm

Why is it that Rock of Ages gets all raves and N2N gets more negatives than them? Doesn't make sense to me. N2N from was I have seen is a piece of art, and ROA is well...a piece of crap...with alcohol.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:27pm

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So happy !!!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:29pm

My favorite score on Broadway right now.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:33pm

Why is it that Rock of Ages gets all raves...

It didn't get all raves: the reviews, in general, were more along the lines of, "Well, if that's your sort of thing, you'll love it. At least it isn't pretending to be art AT ALL." They weren't Raves, they were Mixed-to-Tolerants.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:49pm

That review from the Times was perfect, just what they needed.

I'm hoping Brantley is right, and Ripley's performance stays at the top for the rest of the season.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:57pm

"It didn't get all raves: the reviews, in general, were more along the lines of, "Well, if that's your sort of thing, you'll love it. At least it isn't pretending to be art AT ALL." They weren't Raves, they were Mixed-to-Tolerants."

Nah, the Times raved about it, so did others.

[snl89]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:59pm

Dear Tony voters,

PLEEEEASE please listen to Ben Brantley. He knows what he's talking about


That is all.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:01am

I think Alice needs to start making room for her Tony !!!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:11am

No talking about Tonys!!!

(I hope Alice gets it though. Oops! )

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:14am

I want to congratulate the cast and creative team of Next To Normal for their fine reviews, and allowing us-DC Theatre goers-to share in this wonderful production, when it found a home this year at Arena Stage, before moving on to the Booth Theatre. To all my friends in NYC who have not yet bought tickets to the show, please do. It's an experience you will never forget. And, Alice - you've eaned all the raves.
Podcast of Alice Ripley at Arena Stage

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:14am

Couldnt be more thrilled with most of these reviews...in the end, getting that sort of rave from the Times is very important to this show. Hope people read the raves and come see this show, it would be a crime if it didnt have a long healthy run!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:29am

Just left the after party.

I can't begin to say how overwhelmed I am by these reviews. I've believed in the potential and the power of N2N for years and to see it finally reach that potential is just incredible.

I congratulated Ripley on already winning the Tony at the after party. She was SO gracious and sweet.

This is the show of the year and I couldn't be more thrilled about the way this night (which was a long time coming) turned out. An amazing final result...I'll end this post with what I ended my review of the first preview with: this show gives me hope for the original American musical. And for that alone, I say bravo a thousand times.
Updated On: 4/16/09 at 12:29 AM

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:40am

It's a done deal, La Ripley has won her first Tony.

YAY!

It couldn't happen to a nicer gal.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:59am

"It's a done deal, La Ripley has won her first Tony."

I agree. Good for her!

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:11am

"It didn't get all raves: the reviews, in general, were more along the lines of, "Well, if that's your sort of thing, you'll love it. At least it isn't pretending to be art AT ALL." They weren't Raves, they were Mixed-to-Tolerants."

Nah, the Times raved about it, so did others.

Jane, he was referring to reviews about Rock of Ages, not N2N.

And back on topic, congrats to everyone involved with the show! Well deserved review from Brantley!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:21am

My guess for the marquee pull quote from the Times?

"[A] brave, breathtaking musical"

Such well-deserved raves! I'm so happy for them all!

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:24am

"I congratulated Ripley on already winning the Tony at the after party. "


Um, isn't that a bit tacky/obnoxious?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:24am

I'm sure we'll see this one a lot, too, Jordangirl:

"Ms. Ripley is giving...the musical performance of the season."

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:25am

No.

It was a simple compliment and she was very, very gracious and thankful about it.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:25am

^^^
And coming from a person who finds her voice unpleasant: false?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:25am

I agree MiracleElixir. Most definitely.

Not all performers read reviews or WANT to think about awards. They want to focus on their performance. And to assume otherwise is, well, rude. No matter how "sweet" or "gracious" they may be when talking to you. Odds are, inside they're cringing.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:27am

Well it wasn't meant to be rude or obnoxious and it didn't come out that way. And she was blatantly genuine with her graciousness.