NEXT TO NORMAL Reviews- Page 6

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 5:46pm

I agree, Mr. Roxy. It sounds like a 3rd grader wrote it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 5:55pm

I actually enjoy Vincentelli's reviews. And agree with her a majority of the time (not this time though).

But she does kinda write like a third-grader.

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 6:15pm

This will win a tony for Ripley and then go the way of Caroline or Change: a big regional life during which people realize just how strong the piece is.

The reviews are as bipolar as the main character.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 6:28pm

I'm convinced you look through random threads just to be a bitch to me, blaxx.

I'm flattered.

This is not a random thread.

This one, however...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=994907&dt=78&boardid=1

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 6:48pm

If you say so.

[changinandhow]

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

A rave from Rolling Stone.

"Rock is alive and rolling like thunder in Next To Normal. It?s the best musical of the season by a mile (take that Billy Elliot), an emotional powerhouse with a fire in its soul and a wicked wit that burns just as fiercely."

http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/04/next-to-normal-proves-that-roc.php

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:56pm

As I read these reviews, I'm starting to think that N2N could very well steal the Tony.

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 9:59pm

As much as I'd like it to win, I just think it's too dark. It's not completely out of the realm of possibility, but it would definitely be an upset.

[snl89]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 10:04pm

Pleeeeease let it win the Tony. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. <33

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 10:06pm

1. Rent
2. Sweeney Todd
3. Les Miserables


Just 3 musicals off the top of my head that are heavy and dark (yes, I said rent. Boo-ya) and 'Best Musical' winners. I still think that Billy Eliot is most likely to win, but with these reviews... it's victory chances shot WAY up.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 10:53pm

I agree, but those show didn't open during an economic recession when 9 out of 10 shows on Broadway are struggling week by week. It's a risk to award such a dark show when people are so down right now; they want to be uplifted and removed from the depressing attitudes of the outside world when they go to a Broadway show.

And on top of that, will the Tony committee award a recognizable commodity that will tour well like BILLY or 9 TO 5 (although the latter is far weaker) or take a chance and award something totally original like N2N? That's the question. And I think it's far, far riskier for the committee to award a show like N2N (which all but certainly deserves it IMO) during this recession.

I just think BILLY is the surefire touring smash and the surefire tourist trap (and it's DAMNED good too) and is going to be very, very, very hard to topple for the big prize. I would love to see N2N win Best Musical, but I think it'll go home with awards for Ripley and quite possibly for the score and without the big award of the night.

Side note, Grief TOTALLY deserves a Tony nod. His direction improved SO much since 2ST and really does a great job of complimenting the material.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 11:05pm

I don't think the economy has anything to do with which musical will be rewarded the Tony. If anything, BE is a hit already, and 9 to 5 looks as though it will do well, so why not reward a show that rightfully deserves it and needs a boost at the box office?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 11:08pm

That could certainly be the other way it goes, but I mean, the Tony committee has kinda given up on awarding the truly deserving musical and is a lot about politics.

BILLY got all-around better reviews than N2N too, which helps.

I think the economy and the fact that so many shows are struggling will definitely either help or hinder N2N's chances at Best Musical. I hope it's the former.

At this point, it's just worth celebrating that Brantley review alone.
Updated On: 4/16/09 at 11:08 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 11:11pm

Because since when do the Tonys care about such things?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/09 at 11:15pm

Was that in response to little_sally's post? If so, I agree.

In the last ten years or so, I can think of two or three musicals off the top of my head that won Best Musical and were ACTUALLY the best musical of the year.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 12:55am

WickedRocks, for someone who claims to be such a fan of the show, you constantly put it and its chances down.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 12:57am

I am a huge fan of the show. I'm just also trying to be realistic and objective.

I'd love more than anything to be proved wrong with my thoughts on the Tonys.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 1:03am

"Was that in response to little_sally's post? If so, I agree.

In the last ten years or so, I can think of two or three musicals off the top of my head that won Best Musical and were ACTUALLY the best musical of the year. "

It was.

The trend of the Tonys in the last few years has been to reward the artistically superior shows with Best Book and Best Score, and to slap Best Musical on the big moneymaker- whether or not it's redundant. Did Spamalot really need "Best Musical" for it to sell? Or Jersey Boys?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 1:09am

Totally agree.

Since when to the Tonys really give a sh*t about actually awarding the best musical of the year? It's almost always the show with the best touring potential and the one that they see to be the surefire money-maker (although there have been some rare exceptions).

[snl89]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 1:09am

The trend of the Tonys in the last few years has been to reward the artistically superior shows with Best Book and Best Score, and to slap Best Musical on the big moneymaker- whether or not it's redundant. Did Spamalot really need "Best Musical" for it to sell? Or Jersey Boys?


See, that's exactly what'll make me angry if Billy Elliot wins. Give it to the little guy who actually NEEDS it!! It's just plain not fair to give it to a show that's going to do amazingly well no matter what. If they enjoy Next to Normal and agree that it deserves a good run, they should vote for it on the premise that it might not be there in a few months if it doesn't get some major recognition like a Tony award.

I know it's all about politics, but it's so frustrating that it is. To me, it's like... gosh darn it, give NtN the Tony so it can LIVE!! haha

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 1:11am

I don't think who needs the Tony to do well should factor in...but it would be nice if they didn't count N2N out simply because it's a smaller show.

As Alan Arkin said, "The arts shouldn't be a contest." Updated On: 4/17/09 at 01:11 AM

[snl89]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 1:19am

Yeah, I kind of worded that wrong haha

Definitely didn't mean to say that NtN should win strictly BECAUSE it's a good show and it needs it more. It's just that, I think most people seem to agree that it truly is right up there with Billy Elliot in quality, if not a little better.

So yeah, basically all I'm saying is that it frustrates me to think it might be counted out just because it's small :) To ME, it should be the opposite. If you have two shows of equal exceptional quality, one is a big smash hit and is for sure going to do well, and the other is a tiny show that might not last long at all if it doesn't get some major recognition, which one makes more sense to give the Tony to?

[tazber]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 6:27am

N2N is going to win every Tony. Including all the ones for in the non-musical category.

I say it wins best musical, best play, best revival of a musical, best revival of a play. all 8 acting prizes, and best director of a musical and best director of a play.

The ONLY possible upset is if Rock Of Ages takes best musical, which it probably will.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 8:10am

snl, I know what you're saying. Look at everything when judging the shows. Then, if all things are still equal nd they really are neck and neck in your mind, THEN think about what show could benefit from it. Should it be the only factor? No, of course not. But if they are judged equal in other things, why NOT let i be part of the decision.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/17/09 at 8:15am

And btw, Ripley did an ok job. Nothing even close to what Orfeh could have done with that role.