Next to Normal Help from the UK

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Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:10am

Hi all,
Not posted in while but need some advice on the above.
Am coming to NYC in few weeks and have shows booked, but just been reading about Next to Normal.....Gotta say it sounds amazin, should we be making the effort to see this show?
Just need some help as only have one day left for a show.
Thanks all

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:14am

It has an atrocious book, a wonderful score, some very good acting, and scaffolding.

Some people love it. Some people despise it. Some people think it's just OK.

Personally, I'd advise against seeing it. But it's your choice.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:23am

Oh look, someone who hasn't seen it complaining about it, how new and refreshing.

Go see the show. Alice and Aaron's performances alone are worth it. The score is great. The book is quite good as well (if you aren't of the mind that your experience with the subject matter is the only valid experience and therefore invalidates the experience of everyone else with the subject matter).

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:27am

I think the show is fantastic, give it a try!

Now what would you say if today I started over? Without a thing but this taped together four leaf clover And I'll pretend like everything is already alright And I'll run toward the sun till the castle's out of sight

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:28am

I saw the production at Arena back in December and was blown away by it. I would definitely recommend it, but say that knowing it definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea. The recording is out as a digital download on 4/7 if you want to give it a listen before making a decision.

(and to WBaF's credit, kingkong, if my memory serves me correctly, he has seen the show)

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 9:45am

he's said he didn't see it at Arena. they made a number of changes. if you haven't seen the most recent version you have no business commenting on the book.

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 10:05am

I saw the show at Second Stage. I did not seen the Arena production in DC. I am eager to see any updates that have been made. But I am certainly entitled to an opinion based on the show I saw Off-Broadway last year with the same title that is transferring to Broadway this year.

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 10:18am

I saw the show at Second Stage and it was amazing, go check it out!

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 11:25am

I saw it at Arena and definitely recommend it. I also recommend going in without having listened to it beforehand - the show is incredibly powerful but even more so if you go in knowing nothing, IMO.

#10

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 11:31am

I saw it off Broadway, and I loved it. I definitely recommend seeing this.

#11

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:24pm

If you're looking for something completely different and original, see this show! It's definitely one of my favorites.

#12

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:28pm

I only saw the Off Broadway production but thought it was great, the book was fine though had a few problems, but for someone to say the book is atrocious is silly.
The score was fantastic and the talent on the stage was brilliant, especially Alice Ripley

Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

#13

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 12:41pm

I highly recommend it, especially having seen both versions.

Certainly an opinion can be offered based on the Second Stage version, but it should include the caveat that THAT is the version you are mentioning and that it has been well documented by critics as well as mere fans that there have been significant changes to the production since the version you saw. Otherwise it's not fair to anyone.

Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!

#14

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 1:01pm

Saw it at Second Stage, loathed every Godforsaken second of it. I understand changes have been made. Changes have been made, as noted. But the new changes would have to be of an almost superhuman quality to make the show bearable. I guess I'd see it again, to see what progress has been made. But I won't go happily.

I'd say you're better off seeing EXIT THE KING or GOD OF CARNAGE. Even BLITHE SPIRIT.

Skip NEXT TO NORMAL.

"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/

#15

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/20/09 at 2:10pm

I highly, HIGHLY recommend it :)

It really is a wonderful show, with probably one of my all time favorite scores, and the performances are absolutely top notch. As has been mentioned, Alice and Aaron's performances alone are worth the price of the ticket for me. They're just incredible.

So yes, please go see it!!

I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.

#16

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/21/09 at 10:58am

I saw the Second Stage production of N2N and liked it a lot. In fact, I thought it was the best show I saw that trip to NYC. I would say give it a try. I think Alice Ripley can start making a place on her mantle for her Tony award.

#17

re: Next to Normal Help from the UK

Posted: 3/21/09 at 6:19pm

I saw in Off-Broadway and hated it. That was almost a year ago, and I've recently been listening to the songs some more and trying to remember what made me dislike it. If I remember correctly, I liked the first half, but felt that the whole thing fell apart in the second act. If they made as many changes as I've been hearing, then I'm willing to give the show another shot.

I know you. I know you. I know you.

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