Next To Normal 5/23/10 Evening

This was 6th time seeing N2N. I was really hoping to see Jessica as Diana but Alice was in. Vocal rest does Alice wonders. Saw her May 1st and she was totally different. This was probably the best I've seen her in the 6 times I've seen the show.
Brian. One problem. He isn't Bobby. Brian shows very little emotion. I went in wanting to love him. Loved him in Shrek and heard great things about him off broadway in N2N. He was good. Miles better than Michael Berry, but Bobby is a sweeter, more sympathetic Dan. His chemistry was ok with Alice. Nothing like Bobby's.
Jen. She messed up and came out of character a few times. Hey 3 she was hysterical laughing. Also, asked her about Spiderman and she said 'I can't comment' so I guess that's a yes...we'll have to wait and see
Louis and Adam are great as always and give it their all.
Kyle. Saw him May 1st and that was my 3rd time seeing him. I thought he improved so much then...tonight...he was little out of it. Maybe he's sick...or needs a break. Still great though.
If anyone has questions just ask. Thanks

I'm not sure where you get the idea that Alice and Brian didn't have strong chemistry. Their dynamic is completely different from Alice and Bobby, but you get a strong sense that they've been together a while and been through a lot. I also thought Brian was quite caring. And, he sings like a dream.

The big difference between Brian and Bobby is that with Bobby, you worried if his Dan would be ok at the end. With Brian, you know his Dan is gonna make it, but it's still upsetting.

I loved Bobby, but Brian takes it.

^Agreed.

Again, I LOVED Bobby, but the thing with Brian is that you feel like he really has been there for almost 20 years, and as a result, he's battered. Bobby's Dan was like an outsider who was just coming in, unaware of what was happening. Again, as much as I love Bobby, I find Alice and Brian much more believable as a couple that's been through difficult times.

I also saw Next To Normal last night. It was my third time seeing the show. Personally I thought the show as a whole was great. Everyone performed wonderfully as a cast.

In my opinion I thought Brian's interpretation of Dan was fantastic. I preferred his Dan over Bobby's. Don't get me wrong I thought Bobby was great both times I saw him but Brian was fantastic as I stated earlier. I thought the chemistry he had with Alice was wonderful. Like someone stated in an earlier post you can really believe that they are a couple and family who have been together for so long and have weathered so many trying times.

As for the rest of the cast they were all just as amazing as I remember. I do have to say that Alice's voice to me sounded very strained but it completely worked for the character of Diana. It was almost like she just sounded tired and wanted to be "normal" again.

I actually WAS close the last time I saw Bobby. In fact, I was in the front row, center section on the aisle. RIGHT in front of his chair for the I Am the One reprise. I never said his tears were fake. I said his crying was fake. It felt very much like an actor trying to make himself cry onstage. It just felt very unnatural. It was overkill.

I was there too. This was my 10th time seeing it and I thought it was the worst show I saw. Alice came back way too soon IMO. She was straining and struggling to even sing during most of it. Rushing through lines especially in Next to Normal. Jenn could barely finish her line when Alice started hers.

I wasn't crazy about Brian. He looked way too old even next to Alice. His voice was too scratchy and deep for my liking. Maybe I'm just used to Bobby since I saw him 9 other times.

Kyle Dean and Jenn were at their best. Kyle just gets better and better and so does Jenn. She struggled once in Superboy(which she usually does). Jenn was just so animated onstage and looked like she was having a blast. I never once saw her break character like the OP said. She has laughed in Hey#3 everytime I saw the show.

Louis and Adam were the same as they usually are.

That being said I thought Alice and Brian had incredible chemistry. He did with Jenn and Kyle Dean too. I Am The One(Reprise) made me cry harder then I usually do.

These are just my opinions but I know people are gonna bash me like usual. People like different things/people but no one seems to realize that.

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Yes I think that Brian looks way older than Bobby. I'm afraid to see what he looks like with Jessica(who looks like Kyle,Jenn or Meghann's slightly older sister).

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Brian's doing a benefit concert at Northwestern.

and I saw Jessica and Brian last week too and I thought they looked great together.

Updated On: 5/24/10 at 09:40 PM

I wish I would have seen it tonight now instead of last night.

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When does Jessica leave the show?

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I have been DYING to see Michael and Jessica together..ugh I hope they get a chance to when Michael covers for Brian in June/July

I'd say you'll certainly get that chance. I doubt Alice would go two consecutive weeks without missing a show.