Next To Normal - 5/15/09

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:07am

I don't usually post about shows i've seen but then again i've never quite experienced a show like 'next to normal'.

i walked into it with no idea what the show was about. just that it was a rock musical and was getting good buzz. first off, the cast was phenomenal. fantastic. not enough words to describe them. but alice ripley... i can honestly say in all my years going to the theater, i have never experienced a performance like what she did on that stage. one moment my eyes were bloodshot, the next i was laughing, then i was devastated for her. this woman was throwing herself into this character 200%. it was a pleasure to see. even if she depressed the hell out of me.

score was awesome, book was great... very surprised Tveit was overlooked for a Tony nomination. I dont know much about who is predicting what... but i hope to hell Ripley wins. Spencer was great too... does he have a shot?

i haven't seen Billy Elliot but i know its a shoo-in for the best musical tony. i need to see it to compare. just cant imagine how it could be better than what i saw tonight.

i have a feeling this is a show i will be thinking about for days.


Updated On: 5/16/09 at 12:07 AM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:09am

I know EXACTLY how you feel.

But then once you see BILLY ELLIOT...you're feelings will extend 500%!

I love N2N, but BE is a masterpiece.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:11am

Capn - i definitely do. just so broke it takes me a bit to save for the rush tickets and the BE ones are $40 so it'll be harder for me to afford.

i know i cant judge without seeing both. i was just so affected by N2N in a serious way. it left me disturbed, yet hopefuly, yet depressed, yet happy... alice ripley was just. wow. im not sure a show has ever moved me that way. i was so unprepared for how powerful it was.

what does everyone think its tony chances are? Updated On: 5/16/09 at 12:11 AM

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:16am

Ha ha, you mean a shoo-in, not a shoe in!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:16am

BILLY has the Tony in the bag.

Both BE and N2N are fantastic but I do prefer N2N. Glad you loved it!

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:19am

whoops. 'shoo-in' corrected. :)

wicked - it really was. bummed BE has it so much in the bag. i want to feel like N2N atleast has a shot.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:19am

I love N2N, but BE is a masterpiece.

BE is a dull show with a boring, repetitive score. Next to Normal is the masterpiece.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:21am

BE's score is one of the blandest scores of the decade. It will be a travesty if it wins Best Score.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:23am

I love both- I've seen N2N once, and BE 3 times, once after I saw N2N... I still like next to normal more.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:23am

so what does everyone think N2N's tony chances are, aside from best musical which is certain to go to BE.

Alice? yes please? what about Spencer? Score?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:24am

BILLY and N2N are both very close to masterpieces, in my opinion. But it's a total matter of personal opinion. Some hate BILLY, some hate N2N. Not every show is for everyone and not everyone is going to agree on what they think is a masterpiece and what they think isn't...but it's an opinion. It's not like Capn is wrong for calling BILLY a masterpiece. Some may think it's dull but others, like me, may find it anything but. And same goes for N2N.

And cuban, I'd like to think so too...the reality is if anything is going to take the award besides BILLY, it'll be N2N. But BILLY is the odds-on favorite.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:28am

N2N will win Best Actress for Ripley and has a shot at score and book although I get the feeling BILLY will win them, or at least one of them. It has a real shot at Orchestrations and Lighting Design but those awards mean nothing in the long run.

The only awards that matter in terms of making money or being a hit (which is what N2N is and should be worrying about at this point, making money) are Best Musical and Best Play. It's not like the average Joe will rush to get tickets to N2N because it wins Best Book or Best Score. It's going to have to win Musical to be a hit and that's going to be hard.

Ripley is a lock though.
Updated On: 5/16/09 at 12:28 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:37am

It should win Actress, Orchestrations, and Sound Design. It also has a shot at Lighting.

It deserves to win Best Score, and stands a decent chance to win that.

In a perfect world, it would win Best Musical.

BILLY and N2N are both very close to masterpieces, in my opinion. But it's a total matter of personal opinion. Some hate BILLY, some hate N2N. Not every show is for everyone and not everyone is going to agree on what they think is a masterpiece and what they think isn't...but it's an opinion. It's not like Capn is wrong for calling BILLY a masterpiece. Some may think it's dull but others, like me, may find it anything but. And same goes for N2N.

Could you straddle the fence any more there, Rocks? Updated On: 5/16/09 at 12:37 AM

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:43am

Am I the only one who thinks J. Robert Spencer actually gives a better performance than Ripley?

And put me in the Billy Elliot camp. I think it's a far better musical and the score is much more memorable than N2N. And I liked N2N a lot!

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:43am

id be thrilled with a win for ripley, but also hoping for score.

what about best actor? who's the predicted winner there? supporting actress?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:44am

I agree with most of what you said, adam.

It will certainly at least walk away with one award...Alice is definitely going to win.

Although I think HAIR should win for Sound Design and Lighting but I wouldn't mind N2N take one or the other or both...it's deserving of the awards as well.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:45am

I don't see how I'm straddling the fence...I said both are fantastic but I prefer N2N. But that's what it is, a matter of personal preference.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 1:02am

Um... Cuban, can I have your time machine? :)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 1:03am

I am pulling for "N2N" to win for Best Musical. Would not be that upset if "BE" (or surprised at all) wins it- However, if "BE" wins for score, I might cry !!!

The score is definitely the weakest part of the show.

[heo1128]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 1:22am

Here's my one gripe with Billy winning Best Musical. I've mentioned this before I think...Billy and NtN are COMPLETELY different shows, but are both fantastic, well produced shows that are worthy of the award. But, "Best Musical" is about the show on the whole. You can't deny that Billy's score lacks innovation or isn't extremely original. I understand that there's tons of politics like tour-worthy etc that come in to play when it comes time to vote, it's just a shame.
Updated On: 5/16/09 at 01:22 AM

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 1:24am

next to normal has Bren Brantley behind it though... that might have some pull. It's probably just wishful thinking, but I really just want this show to win- it so deserves it!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 8:41am

OK as a brit i could get shot by my fellow brits for saying this but as much as i enjoyed BE i could only remember one song when i came out of the theatre the 1st time i watched it 2 years ago and that was 'Electricity' because it had been on every TV show at the time.

The score for BE is beyond bland, it entertains at the time but a few seconds after its done its gone.

I understand why people love the show but to say the score is better than N2N is just odd. N2N has so many stand out songs, songs which stick with you long after the show is done.

I think N2N will get Best Score

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 9:15am

The date in the title post is wrong...unless we've all gone back in time.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 9:16am

I am another that loved both. However, I am rooting for N2N which I found a better crafted and more original show. BE is manipulative, which has worked based on the Tony Noms. If BE wins for BEST MUSICAL -- so be it. If it takes BEST SCORE, there's a problem.

I also believe that Alice is a lock for Best Actress.

For best actor if the BE boys don't get it (and I don't think they should) I think it will go to Gavin Creel.

But, glad you loved it...it certainly is a unique and remarkable experience.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 10:42am

as much as i enjoyed BE i could only remember one song when i came out of the theatre the 1st time i watched it 2 years ago and that was 'Electricity' because it had been on every TV show at the time.

Me too, and I remembered that not because of the song, but because of the dancing that Billy does. The music and lyrics are beyond bland.

As for the rest of the score, how many times can we repeat "solidarity! solidarity! solidarity forever!" over and over again?