Next To Normal Opening Night at Arena Stage- Page 2

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 7:40pm

I still think it could work as a bonus track if it ever got a cast recording.

Especially if they get Anthony to sing it. He was wonderful at NYMF.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 9:32pm

Someone mentioned Anthony Rapp was in the audience during the DC run, correct? Maybe he's still attached to the show. I wouldn't be surprised if he came back to play the Doctor role for the Broadway run, if that happens. He's not really a "name," but he brings more of a high profile to the show. Also, if the show does move to Broadway, wouldn't Tveit have to bow out to do "Catch Me If You Can?"

And, from what I've heard (I haven't seen it yet, but I will in two weeks) the show seems really ballad heavy. The whole second act put me to sleep. None of the songs really sparked But hey, that might be different when I'm in the audience.

[Dangerous Divine]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 9:36pm

He was the assistant director for the 2ST run. Did he do the same for the Arena run?

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 9:41pm

no, Anthony is not listed in the playbill as assistant director for the DC run.

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 9:57pm

Anthony was at the show the day after Thanksgiving. Regardless of if he's actually still a part of it or not, I'm sure he still wants to see how it's doing.

As for "Feeling Electric" being cut, I think it works SO much better. It was always kind of an odd moment going on that, although it was fun and I enjoyed watching it (and would love for it to be a bonus track on a cd if one gets made), it didn't fit well with the show. The new ending of act I is beautiful, the staging is great and I feel as though at intermission, you're left feeling more curious and anxious about what is about to happen in act II.

"Wish I Were Here" is also a fine addition to the show and helps show the ECT part without it being as offensive or personal as some complained that it was at Second Stage.

As wickedrocks was saying, the characters are definitely more fleshed out, ESPECIALLY that of Dr. Madden. I left the show this time caring more about the characters than I did the first time I saw it for sure.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 11:17pm

None of the songs really sparked But hey, that might be different when I'm in the audience.

You really need to stop critiquing the show til you see it. All you do here is post about how terrible it all sounds (which i HIGHLY disagree with) but until you see the show all you're doing is bashing unprofessional recordings.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:30am

It has nothing to do with the professional quality of a recording. I've heard many a "bootleg" recording of a show and fell in love with it - Gypsy for one and I don't tend to go towards more classically sounding shows. I'm not saying I hate the show, I mean, I am going to see it in DC. But it's not like it's this perfect show. I think the best parts of the show are with Henry and the daughter. "I Miss The Mountains" is an awful song. There is no redeeming melody to it. The best part of the Act II for me is the underscoring with "Aftershock." I'll def post my thoughts after I see the show. I know I'll like it, I liked it at Second Stages, but there were def. problems with the show. I mean, if they're trying to flesh the characters out, then certain parts of it just don't work for me. Are they going for realism or what? Which genre of a show are they trying to do?

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 3:12am

Yeah, when i said Unprofressional, i meant NON, my bad.


I Miss the Mountains is an awful song?

See when you say things like that I just have difficulty taking anything you say seriously. But then again, you are the one that thinks Alice Ripley has a shyte voice.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 3:44am

Well. "Wish I Were Here" is in Act 2 and it's HARDLY a ballad.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 9:44pm

Seriously? The second act is far from ballad heavy (the first act too).

What is wrong with realism?

Its disturbing when there are critiques of shows one has not seen. The Arena production is not the Second Stage production. It is darker and more real.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 10:43pm

OOH, i can't wait, im seing it next monday

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 11:07pm

I'm so thrilled to read these reviews.

I LOVE this show.

I saw it six times at Second Stage.

It grew, every time I saw it.

It still hovered at the last NYC performance.

But that Washington Post review? Apparently, everything that was dicey in New York has been fixed in DC.

This is a tragic season for Broadway musicals. Bring "Next to Normal" in, I think it would clean up. It's TERRIFIC musical theatre.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 12/16/08 at 1:14pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_NEXT_TO_NORMAL_At_Arena_Stage_20081216

What's up with these heinous new costumes for the finale/bows?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/16/08 at 1:20pm

It's really just variations on what they were using at Second Stage. I think they're nice.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 4:42pm

I have not cried like this since when I was 11 and saw Les Mis for the first time. I have never been evoked so much.

They cut back on the humor and it's fantastic. It's still there, but in spurts. I believe this makes sense because there are those awkward moments when you have to laugh at yourself even while experiencing a tragic illness. Even if people found the humor awkward, I thought it was prety clear and the awkwardness even makes sense with the subject matter.

Feeling Electric was a good song, but A Light in the Dark is so effective and adds so much more to Dan. As does his song, I believe titled, "I Was there." He is not in the woodwork anymore, and very sympathetic and complex.

I was ready to watch an anti-meds and anti-therapy and doctors show, but that's not what happened. I am PRO medicine (and actually on anti-anxiety meds that are working) and was ready to accept a different opinion. However, I believe this show conveyed how meds and therapy CAN be helpful but also how murky the subject matter is. Hobson as Madden is SO sympathetic, a really well-intentioned, understanding and open-minded doctor.

The cast was pretty perfect. Ripley's performance is simply legendary. She sings as if she's crying her songs out and it's great. I was hesitant about Spencer as Dan but he is JUST as wonderful. A subtler but no less powerful stage presence and a killer voice. Damiano is as real as can be as Natalie, and Tveit is sort of other-worldly as Gabe, while Adam Chanler-Berat is way way too adorable as Henry.

I would love for this show to go to Broadway, but could it in this economy? Also, there are a lot of shows that call themselves edgy, but this IS edgy and innovative. The toher issue is: is America ready for this show? I'm just not sure.

So, it's rare that I have no complaints with a show, though I do always tend to look sunny-side up. But I don't here. This is magnificent. Like Peter Marks said, this show is about more than mental illness or drugs or ECT. It's about the human condition.

[matty159]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 5:14pm

Thanks for your thoughts, regnad kcin! I cannot wait to see this on Tuesday! Will definitely report in with my thoughts. I have a really good feeling about this...and have been wanting to see it since folks started raving about the Second Stage production.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 5:18pm

regnad kcin ~ "A Light In The Dark" WAS there in the Second Stage version. It just closes Act 1 now ~ which I think is a fantastic choice! "I've Been" was added back in for the Arena Stage version.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 7:16pm

SPOILER?

I'm not sure if "I've Been" is the one I'm thinking of. It's the one in Act II when he's cleaning up after Diana's attempt.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 7:26pm

"I've Been" is the one where Dan is cleaning, but it's in Act 1 ~ just before "Didn't I See This Movie?" and then "A Light In The Dark".

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 7:29pm

SPOILER CONT.
Oh you're right. That's WHY she goes and tries ECT.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 7:32pm

*Spoilerish*

Yeah. The ECT is proposed as a result of the suicide attempt. :)

But you're right. That song ("I've Been") does add a lot of insight into Dan's character, which was missing at Second Stage. And I adore the little things J. Robert Spencer does. I feel for his Dan more than I ever felt for Brian d'Arcy James's Dan. Especially during and just after "So Anyway". I just wanted to smack Brian's Dan. At least Bobby's shows SOME emotion.

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:38pm

Here is the podcast I recorded with Alice Ripley at Arena Stage.
I hope you enjoy it. Joel
Podcast of Alice Ripley at Next To Normal at Arena Stage

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:41pm

I thought Brian's "Dan" had a really good breakdown moment with his son during the "I Am The One" reprise.

Don't you think Henry needs a solo song? Just to sort of explain why he's in the show? I understand the whole parallel relationship that's going on, but his character doesn't really have much meaning in the show.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:13am

I've thought about more depth with Henry, but it might add a lack of focus to the rest of the show. Not every character needs to have issues, I figured he's "normal" but a pothead. I think the character is wonderful - reminds me of my lad. He's THERE for Natalie and AWARE of her issues, which Dan wasn't when he made the promise. A solo might be over-explanatory and I think the focus really needs to stay on the Goodmans.
Updated On: 12/22/08 at 01:13 AM

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:33am

I just got seats for Row S in January through a promotional deal with Arena. Would it be easy to move up if there are seats open?