Next to Normal - 11/18/10 Review...

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/19/10 at 5:43pm

Let me first start out by saying that this is my fifth time seeing the show and this is the first time I've seen the entire full cast together (I've seen Kyle three times and Meghann once when she was Jennifer's understudy)...

After all of the great things I've heard about Marin Mazzie, I ended up coming out incredibly disappointed. To me, she was doing a card board cut out version of Diana. She didn't fully grasp the character and I didn't feel as emotionally involved as I have all the time's I have seen Alice. I didn't hate her but I wasn't in love with her like so many of you are. There were some things I loved about her performance; I don't know if she normally does this, but during You Don't Know, as well as a couple of the numbers, she screeched the lyrics out instead of actually singing them. I thought it added to the character and worked well, but I have no idea how she could do that eight times a week and no ruin her voice. Another little thing I loved was before I Dreamed A Dance, how she was going through Gabe's box and she grabbed the blanket and just smothered her face in it. I don't remember Alice ever doing anything like that. Now to the things I didn't like. She was too depressed. Now I know, Next to Normal is a depressing show and all, but there is a lot of humor there, much of which was completely missed with Mazzie. Another thing was she rushed SO MUCH. It was like she just wanted the performance over with. So Anyway ended so quickly, she never paused between any of her words, it was very distracting. She also flubbed a few lyrics, but that wasn't a huge deal. Just surprised me a little. And the faces she makes while she sings. Don't get me started. Very, very distracting. Like I said, she wasn't "bad," but it wasn't good that I went nearly the whole show without shedding a tear. I was not connected at all (and I sat in the second row center in the orchestra).

Jason Danieley wasn't good at all in my opinion. He seemed very bored and not connected to the story at all. I don't have much to say about him.

I saw Meghann back in November and I wasn't a fan of her then and I wasn't a huge fan of her now either. It seemed like her performance hasn't evolved at all and she just isn't the right fit for the role. I do like her though. She was such a sweetheart at the stage door. So adorable.

Kyle, Louis and Adam did what they always do and they were good, but seemed tired of their roles at times.

Overall, I was disappointed. Next to Normal is one of my favorite shows (just look at my name :P) and what is going on at the Booth right now just seems half-assed. But hey, different strokes for different strokes I guess? I have tickets for the final performance, so hopefully the cast improves by then.

[helloworld2]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 12:25am

I disagree on almost all counts.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:18am

^me too

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:27am

Me three.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:29am

Me four.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:30am

Me five.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:37am

I agree on most counts, though I think Meghann Fahy is quite good.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 5:13am

I think your comments are bit harsh (but you are entitled to your opinions) I am more in agreement with them than not.

I LIKED Marin. Quite a bit, actually, but just didn't care for her choices nearly as much as Alice's. (And please note, I was looking forward to seeing a different take.)

I TOLERATED Jason, but didn't think he was 'bad', but I see your "disconnected" comment.

I've seen Meghann twice now, and both times there were pitch problems in what seemed like the same places.

[nexttotheheights]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 8:44am

Me... however many people disagree.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 3:39pm

I've heard of a lot of people who didn't like Marin and Jason. But to each their own. I did enjoy quite a bit of Marin's performance but as a whole it just wasn't very spectacular. Every moment of brilliant was followed by a few lines be rushed or her distracting facial movements. I didn't feel PAIN for her and for the show to work, you need to feel something. And Jason.. He was just bad. He felt so disconnected from his work and seemed like he was just there for a paycheck. Meghann gave a high school performance with cussing.

Not saying that the people who love them are wrong, they aren't. Everyone has different opinions. :)

[dragonlp86]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 3:44pm

I'm another who wholeheartedly disagrees with your statements. Though, of course, to each their own.

[SingingChef]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 4:20pm

Marin & Jason are giving touchingly heartfelt performances. I found them honest and moving. And both of their voices are beautiful. I liked Meghann. I didn't love every choice she made but she is certainly talented and well-suited to the role.
Kyle Dean was marvelous. His voice is in top-form. Adam Chanler-Berat & Louis Hobson are perfection.

Such a strong cast.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 5:46pm

I completely, completely disagree.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 8:26pm

I'm with the folks who completely disagree with the OP.