NEXT TO NORMAL Reviews- Page 4

[jordangirl]

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

They're also called actors for a reason.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:30am

I guess I'm tacky and obnoxious then...

Whatever.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:33am

It's just better to err on the side of discretion. Congratulate them on a wonderful performance, sure! That's cool.

But seriously ~ a lot of them do not want to know about reviews or think about awards.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:35am

I wasn't trying to insult you WiCkED, I'm sure she knew you were being sincere and only meant it in a complimentary manner.. it just strikes me as a really tacky thing to say that just (a) makes an actor feel awkward, and (b) makes it seem as if the merit of their performance is only really validated if they win an award.

I'm sure she would've rather just heard you say how much you appreciate her performance, or congratulations or something. It reminds me of people at the HEDDA GABLER stage door saying to Mary-Louise Parker, "You are AMAZING!!!" What is an actor supposed to say to respond to that besides "Um, thanks?"

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:36am

It just seemed right in the moment. She was on such a high, the Brantley review had just came in, everyone was congratulating her, and it seemed like she was genuinely flattered and gracious for my comment. Oh well, I think either way, she knew it was only meant as a compliment.

Plus, I did compliment her on her amazing performance and talked to her a while before I made the Tony comment.

Anyway, I'm interested to see what Vincentelli says in the Post tomorrow.

Updated On: 4/16/09 at 01:36 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:38am

A LOT of performers think about the Tony Award. Believe me!

If an exuberant fan says something about winning the Tony Award at an opening-night afterparty, I think the actor in question will take the comment as it is meant: to show excitement for a thrilling performance and much-deserved praise from a powerful group not prone to offering effusive support.

People appreciate spontaneous, heartfelt sentiments more than one might think.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:41am

Of course they think about awards. It just seems tacky to bring it up. And even MORESO to say "Congratulations on winning the Tony!" rather than just "I hope you win the Tony!" It strikes me as a comment that would make an actor bristle more than be flattered.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:56am

You'd be surprised at how many actors are grateful for comments like that!

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:58am

Girl,

Alice has won that Tony.

Let's play this out. For BEST ACTRESS, we have Sutton (love her, but no dice for Shrek), LAUREN GRAHAM (Nobody likes her), Alison Janney (everybody loves her, but she'll be cancelled out by Stephanie J. Block.)

Ripley wins.

Yay!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:00am

Aren't some actors very superstitious, too?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:02am

Yes, adam. That, too.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:03am

I *think* it's hers too. But the voters can be (and have been in the past)...I'll be nice...a bit star struck by Hollywood names.

I'm just in the superstitious camp I suppose. Better not to mention than to jinx.

Updated On: 4/16/09 at 02:03 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:10am

Wow at these reviews! I need to see this!!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:18am

I don't KNOW, of course, who will get the Tony this year, but I KNOW who deserves it!

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 3:50am

Theatermania is very positive.
Theatermania Review of N2N

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 3:55am

The NY Post review is very negative.
NY Post review **

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 4:37am

That NY Post review is one of the most poorly written I have ever read. Ms. Vincentelli seems to be taking a few too many meds that flatten her out because her writing lacks color, effective analogy and crispness. Really, DOA.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 7:05am

With all the hoo-ha about Brantley's rave and all the N2N fans jumping with glee, I think it wise to point out the fates of two other shows that the Times "saved": Caroline or Change and Passing Strange. Both were challenging works, both dealt with dicey issues -- and John Q. Public didn't buy either one of them. Their appearances on the Tony awards didn't do them any favors either -- too many viewers were turned off by what they saw and stayed away in droves. I'm not going into the respective merits of N2N -- just noting that a rave from the Times does not always a hit make.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 7:28am

Actually, even more to the point: go back to SIDE SHOW. Brantley wrote an unqualified rave, with some of the same analysis of emotional impact on the audience, and it was followed up with the Sunday appraisal by Canby (if memory serves; he's quoted on the CD sticker. ). The other papers were indifferent. 3 months later, it was gone, to the consternation and grief of many (this poster included). And in some ways, SIDE SHOW (period, some colorful pastiche music by Krieger, presented in the Macy's Parade, no less, and a semi-catchy, commercial sounding title) was far more accessible. This show is a tougher sell. But in a season with little to get excited about, (new) musically speaking, this certainly has a shot. Let's root for it.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 8:18am

Does a Times rave guarantee anything? No, of course not. But without a the great reviews I think it would be a sure thing that the show wouldnt have a long run, so this is a huge positive.

[dave1606]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 8:27am

This is a nice one to balance out the next to good comments from the post. what a snarky review.

4.5/5
Next to Wondrous

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:03am

I think we all recognize the fact that a Times rave will not save a show. I've seen many a Times pan kill an otherwise fine show. But a rave? Not anymore. It's interesting to read the comments after one of the Time's reviews come up. The people who agree are absolutely ecstatic (see here) and the ones who disagree will rant and rave about the unfair power held by the Time's reviewers. Well, those times are just long gone.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:09am

I would actually call that NY Post review mixed to negative. It's strange... she spends most of the review talking about what she liked, and then at the end suddenly dislikes it without actually saying specifically what she didn't like. She barely mentioned performers, barely touched on the score and book..

[JBSinger]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:13am

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but the Tony's are less about Artistic success than they are about commercial success. though I haven't seen it (and I'm sure it's awesome), N2N will likely have NO chance of touring - success in regional productions, yes, but not on the road.

Thus it is more likely that Billy Elliot, 9 to 5, or Shrek will take the Best Musical prize. If I were a betting man, I'd say 9 to 5 has the buzz to win. Billy waited too long to cross the pond, it opened early and though people love it, the buzz isn't there. Shrek is holding it together and has strong touring success written all over it, but I think the Tony voters will think it's not "artistic" enough. Mixed reviews don't help either.
N2N will be rewarded in other ways (Ripley, score?).
Can't wait for my CD to arrive.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:31am

Yes, I think Ed reminding us of what happened to Caroline, Or Change and Passing Strange even with great Times reviews is instructive. Unfortunately, African-American themes on Broadway seem to have a tough road, unless stars like Puff Daddy or Terence Howard are in them; it broke my heart a few years back when Gem of the Ocean had to close early. On the other side of the equation, Spring Awakening was a dark horse that took a while to build an audience and ultimately won out. N2N got the review it needed from Brantley to survive, whether it flourishes will depend on the audience's tolerance for a dark theme--and at a dark time in America. In the journalism world I inhabit, the conventional wisdom right now is that people want upbeat stories...but personally, I believe people also want stories that resonate deeply and move them, even to sadness, like N2N. I hope they make it; I think a Tony for Alice is a better bet than for N2N as a musical, but hey, if the show takes a bunch, that's fine, too!