Next to Normal *possible spoilers!* and RENT (3/9/08)

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 2:12pm

Hey all-

So yesterday I had a 2 day show- it was quite a day. It began with my train being cancelled and a little bit of a chaotic morning, but I made it into the city on time for my first show of the day "Next to Normal"

The show was amazing- the theater is fantastic. I really didn't know what to expect, I had heard from many people how good it was- but didn't want to build it up just to be let down- but I was far from let down. I definetly got my $34 worth!!

Alice Ripley- A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. She makes you want to cry, and shes also a little scary as a manic. The first time when you see she is really crazy, when she is thowing the bread on the floor is insane. She just seems like such a natural actress, like she could really play anything. She amazed me!!!

Brian D'Arcy James- WELL, funny story- I walked into Starbucks about 45 mins before the show, and Brian D'arcy James comes walking in behind me to get coffee- needless to say, I was peeing my pants exctied, and was trying to maybe get the courage up to say something to him about me coming to the show that afternoon, but I was too scared!! haha.....anyway- His performance was great, as every other time I have seen him in shows. The scene at the end when it's just him and Natalie after Diana leaves, basically left me in tears.

The rest of the cast- Jennifer Damiano (WHAT A VOICE!), Aaron Tveits, Asa Somers and Adam Chanler-Beret were phenomenal also.

The whole show was so different, and I really feel has a chance to make it on Broadway- I hope they give it a shot!! It really could work in a big house as well as the small theatre at 2st.

Set and Lighting- WOW, what a use of lightbulbs, huh? haha....

EDIT: (things I just remembered to write!) The song "Growing up Unstable- is great, Jennifer Damiano really belts it out and just psuhed this song in your face, it was just fantastic.....and also- "Feeling electric"- What a way to go into intermission!!


I found myself the whole time just being immersed in this world, and never really snapping out of it until I was outside after the show- it was great- a real theatre experience.

When I walked out of the theatre- who was there waiting for Jennifer Damiano?? Johnny B Wright from Spring Awakening- it was a crazy day!


Later that day I met my parents and we went to go see RENT. Now, I have seen this show like 5 times before, and had to see it one last time before it closed- and, to be honest, I wish I had quit while I was ahead.

There was just something missing- something that had gone astray from this show. Sure, there was some energy there, but it just seemed weird. Even my Mom commented on how something was missing.

Harley Jay- He was having a relativley good night compared to the last time I saw him in January.

Declan Bennett- BAD NIGHT. Last time I saw him I was quite impressed with his performace, but tonight it was just lacking realllllly badly.

The only 2 in the cast which actually looked as if they were doing their job were Nicolette Hart and Justin Johnson (Maureen and Angel).

Caren Lyn Manuel was on as Mimi- I can't believe I missed Tamrya AGAIN- but CLM was okay- not phenomenal, but did make up for herself by the end of the performance....

All in all, it was a good day, I saw a new show, which sadly I wish I could see again, and an old favorite which sort of crushed me as a "rent head."


Peaceeeeeee.

Updated On: 3/10/08 at 02:12 PM

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 2:39pm

....I just remembered also that during RENT last night, there were a tons of little mistakes- it was almost like everyone was asleep...
a couple of examples which stuck out to me-

first of all, when Angel and Collins went to kiss during La Vie Boheme- they bumped heads, and the microphones cracked really loud...

then- Mimi jumped up onto Roger, and her heel got caught in his chain on his pants, and it took them a couple seconds to get her foot uncaught....

lastly- last night, the microphones just genrally seemed weird, they kept cracking and making fuzzy sounds throughout the whole show, and the balance just seemed really off- the band being louder than anything- and I was in the center, 4th row orch, so I should have been in balance with the band and singers....

what was going on there last night!?!

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 4:20pm

no responses? im sad.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 4:24pm

I think I am going to sell my June 1st 2 pm matinee's RENT tix... that's what my mother told me...quit while youre winning! I am putting it on ebay this week...or pm me..if you wanna buy it....

Thanks for the review... I am glad you like N2N!

and dont be sad...I responded.. and check your pm

Edit : you dont accept pm...turn it on...

J*


Updated On: 3/10/08 at 04:24 PM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 4:30pm

Sounds like you had a great time!

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 4:32pm

i turned them on jaystarr...thanks! :)

and i was considering buying a ticket for the final performace on june 1st, but there are 2 problems-

1) i will arriving home from vaction in china on that day- (haha- just a slight problem...lol)

and

2.) after last night I think it really just needs to BE now....I have had good times at the nederlander, and I will remember it that way, not as I saw it last night!...which is sad to say, but true!

thanks for the offer and thanks for responding :)

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 4:53pm

yay for n2n! im listening to it right now. god i love this show!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:34pm

Glad you had a great time! :)

J* ~ did you get my PM this morning?

[winter_sky]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:40pm

BlueWindSadness,

You saw the night show I assume? Did you enjoy Marcus Paul James as Collins? He is my favorite and I think he's fantastic. I'm surprised you didn't like Caren. I feel she is a stronger singer and actress than Tamyra so I hope you get to see Tamyra and hopefully she will change your mind about Caren.

Also, the last show has been sold out since the announcement so don't even worry about trying.

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 6:13pm

Marcus was actually really wonderful as Collins- forgot to mention him....as was the Seasons of Love soloist....

It wasnt that the show was horrific- it just seems to have lot its pizzaz! HAHA...

I actually have seen Tamarya in August- sorry for writing that weird...I just have missed her the past 2 times I have gone to the show (Jan and Yesterday...) and Caren wasnt BAD, she just wasnt on form yesterday....i feel like she could be a great performer....and i LovE LOVE LOVE her hair!