Next to normal Donmar Warehouse- Page 2

[mufish]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 11:24am

Heads up to people who waited too long to buy tickets, like I did....they released a very limited number of tickets today!

Most are tagged as somewhat limited view (it says edges of the set and some brief moments of action may be missed); I'm going to London at end of August so I didn't check dates outside of that timeframe, but seems like there's availability scattered across a number of performances.

Managed to snag a lone full-view ticket the day I arrive. Might be a bit aggressive landing at 7:30 am and going to a 2:30 pm matinee, but last time I did the overnight flight I was able to be functional most of the day despite having limited sleep so I'm optimistic. Was really hoping for a second extension for Groundhog Day too, but seems that's out of the question. Fortunately I'd seen that before in NYC, but I wasn't a very prolific theatergoer when N2N ran so that was definitely the priority!

[Lynsey1122]

Posted: 7/29/23 at 8:33am

The video they released earlier didn’t super impress me.  It was missing that pain, grit, longing-hoping this was just a performance video and not how she portrays it on stage.

[binau]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 3:08am

Last night was the first preview at the Donmar. I’ve seen this show a lot (e.g. Alice Ripley on US Tour and last year in Barcelona; Marin Mazzie & Jessica Phillips on Broadway; Pearl Sun on Tour, the Australian premier at Melbourne Theatre Company along with a couple other regional productions). I’m happy to say that this production ranks up there with the very best, and could be a candidate for a Broadway transfer, with Caissie Levy giving a Tony-worthy performance and should hopefully win the Olivier Award.

The production has a more hyper-realistic, play with music feel than the abstract takes on the material with the OBC or Barcelona productions. I’ve never seen a production that serves the material so well and so sincerely - if there is a production of the material that ‘feels’ like a Pulitzer Prize winning play it’s this one. It’s very much meant to be set in the very very present day, with minor tweaks to the book (e.g. ‘X’ is a disaster; there are depressions FORUMS - not chat rooms anymore). It’s also very, very polished and tight - maybe even more polished than the original production. It’s funny how the original production was the ‘little show that could’, transferring with that raw cast off-Broadway. In some ways it made it slightly more exciting than this one, where the show feels like it has grown up, taken more seriously and strangely doesn’t feel as clunky anymore as it used to (although that was always part of the charm). I would not say it quite reaches that edgy operatic emotional height that the original production with Alice or Marin seemed to, but the material for me has never worked better in terms of the coherency of the dramatic story telling and characters.

Caissie Levy is giving a Tony Award-worthy performance and is holding her own alongside Alice Ripley and Marin Mazzie. She does not look too young for the part at all, in fact I would say her face looks tired and like she has gone through a lot (I assume/hope it’s intentional! lol). It’s a masterclass in acting. Her vocals are insane - it may be the most beautifully sung Diana ever with very precise clean contemporary powerful vocals, and I say that as someone that did see Marin Mazzie (twice!). Her “I Miss the Mountains” was stunning musically and probably the first part where it started to click that there was something exceptional going on here, and I think there are a couple variations to the melody at points that sound beautiful. Her “I Don’t Know” devastating, and I wasn’t expecting her “How Could I Ever Forget” to be so vulnerable, so fragile - it may be the best performance of the song I’ve ever seen.

 
What was surprising is it’s not just Levy who was stunning - the Natalie may be the best acted and sung Natalie I’ve ever seen (and I thought Emma on the US tour was pretty great). It brought new depth to the character and whole show - and somehow this Natalie feels so much more sympathetic and less annoying than sometimes Natalies can get haha. I would give a best featured actress award there. The Gabe is very good too - the younger look than Tveit/Kyle Dean again adds to the realism factor but this boy is charming with the right kind of slightly sinister subtext that perfectly encapsulates the metaphor of mental illness. Also well sung, but does not go up the octave of “I’m Alive” (during ‘Light’ when that note is hit it’s not quite as strong as someone like Kyle Dean, I’m assuming it’s just not a note that sits well in his voice). It’s not just ‘well sung’ but it’s interestingly sung - like there are very interesting, deliberate musical choices people are making that are taking this material to new places. A cast recording would be a perfect opportunity now to capture these and offer a new interpretation of the material. I hope these voices can keep it up night after night - I don't know how they do it!

Jamie Parker as Dan is an interesting one - he is so far away from the others above vocally that it doesn’t feel properly balanced. He isn’t awful by any means - but think Hugh Jackman. He has a voice, sometimes he can sing a powerful note or two - but something feels a bit off. Ultimately, it isn’t critical to the show’s success but it does continue this problem with the show for me that Dan is constantly overshadowed by the other cast members. I’m starting to think it might be a bit of a thankless role haha. I wish I could have seen Brian D’Arcy James in the role, because right now I don’t think I really have seen a definitive Dan. The only take I’ve really loved is Jason Danieley’s - but that wasn’t really just because of his talent - it was because watching him alongside his real wife Marin was an incredible, special theatrical experience. The Doctor is great and serviceable, the Henry is not the best I’ve seen but it was a first preview.


Like the Broadway production, the US tour and the Barcelona Production - ‘Light’ feels very much like a group therapy session. I think the two times it has worked best for me is this production and the Barcelona production because of the intimate venues. I don’t know why, but Caissie Levy’s face during this song is just so heartbreaking and inspiring. I think they might be being directed genuinely to look into the audience and sing it to us as if it literally like giving therapy (I feel like it might always be done this way but my memory is hazy). Musically it’s like watching “Sunday” in “Sunday in the Park With George”. Very very very special.

Overall, it’s actually managed to elevate my respect of the material. This is no longer a clunky ‘little show it could’. This is a well crafted Pulitzer Prize winning drama with a team of world class actors taking the show and material very seriously and very deeply. After 15 years, the material has never felt more relevant, has stood the test of time and I’ll be the first to say it - I think it might age better than Hamilton because it’s not wedded in any particular cultural moment in history. Just stunning.



 

 





 

 

Updated On: 8/15/23 at 03:08 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 3:31am

It’s a remarkable production. Levy’s Diana really does rank up there with the best I’ve ever seen. Who knows where this production goes after Donmar but it’s certainly going to have a life beyond this short run. 

[BJR]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 5:47am

Sounds fascinating! I can't wait for more pictures and maybe video

[steven22]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 7:49am

binau said: "Last night was the first preview at the Donmar. I’ve seen this show a lot (e.g. Alice Ripley on US Tour and last year in Barcelona; Marin Mazzie & Jessica Phillips on Broadway; Pearl Sun on Tour, the Australian premier at Melbourne Theatre Company along with a couple other regional productions). I’m happy to say that this production ranks up there with the very best, and could be a candidate for a Broadway transfer, with Caissie Levy giving a Tony-worthy performance and should hopefully win the Olivier Award.

The production has a more hyper-realistic, play with music feel than the abstract takes on the material with the OBC or Barcelona productions. I’ve never seen a production that serves the material so well and so sincerely - if there is a production of the material that ‘feels’ like a Pulitzer Prize winning play it’s this one. It’s very much meant to be set in the very very present day, with minor tweaks to the book (e.g. ‘X’ is a disaster; there are depressions FORUMS - not chat rooms anymore). It’s also very, very polished and tight - maybe even more polished than the original production. It’s funny how the original production was the ‘little show that could’, transferring with that raw cast off-Broadway. In some ways it made it slightly more exciting than this one, where the show feels like it has grown up, taken more seriously and strangely doesn’t feel as clunky anymore as it used to (although that was always part of the charm). I would not say it quite reaches that edgy operatic emotional height that the original production with Alice or Marin seemed to, but the material for me has never worked better in terms of the coherency of the dramatic story telling and characters.

Caissie Levy is giving a Tony Award-worthy performance and is holding her own alongside Alice Ripley and Marin Mazzie. She does not look too young for the part at all, in fact I would say her face looks tired and like she has gone through a lot (I assume/hope it’s intentional! lol). It’s a masterclass in acting. Her vocals are insane - it may be the most beautifully sung Diana ever with very precise clean contemporary powerful vocals, and I say that as someone that did see Marin Mazzie (twice!). Her “I Miss the Mountains” was stunning musically and probably the first part where it started to click that there was something exceptional going on here, and I think there are a couple variations to the melody at points that sound beautiful. Her “I Don’t Know” devastating, and I wasn’t expecting her “How Could I Ever Forget” to be so vulnerable, so fragile - it may be the best performance of the song I’ve ever seen.


What was surprising is it’s not just Levy who was stunning - the Natalie may be the best acted and sung Natalie I’ve ever seen (and I thought Emma on the US tour was pretty great). It brought new depth to the character and whole show - and somehow this Natalie feels so much more sympathetic and less annoying than sometimes Natalies can get haha. I would give a best featured actress award there. The Gabe is very good too - the younger look than Tveit/Kyle Dean again adds to the realism factor but this boy is charming with the right kind of slightly sinister subtext that perfectly encapsulates the metaphor of mental illness. Also well sung, but does not go up the octave of “I’m Alive” (during ‘Light’ when that note is hit it’s not quite as strong as someone like Kyle Dean, I’m assuming it’s just not a note that sits well in his voice). It’s not just ‘well sung’ but it’s interestingly sung - like there are very interesting, deliberate musical choices people are making that are taking this material to new places. A cast recording would be a perfect opportunity now to capture these and offer a new interpretation of the material. I hope these voices can keep it up night after night - I don't know how they do it!

Jamie Parker as Dan is an interesting one - he is so far away from the others above vocally that it doesn’t feel properly balanced. He isn’t awful by any means - but think Hugh Jackman. He has a voice, sometimes he can sing a powerful note or two - but something feels a bit off. Ultimately, it isn’t critical to the show’s success but it does continue this problem with the show for me that Dan is constantly overshadowed by the other cast members. I’m starting to think it might be a bit of a thankless role haha. I wish I could have seen Brian D’Arcy James in the role, because right now I don’t think I really have seen a definitive Dan. The only take I’ve really loved is Jason Danieley’s - but that wasn’t really just because of his talent - it was because watching him alongside his real wife Marin was an incredible, special theatrical experience. The Doctor is great and serviceable, the Henry is not the best I’ve seen but it was a first preview.


Like the Broadway production, the US tour and the Barcelona Production - ‘Light’ feels very much like a group therapy session. I think the two times it has worked best for me is this production and the Barcelona production because of the intimate venues. I don’t know why, but Caissie Levy’s face during this song is just so heartbreaking and inspiring. I think they might be being directed genuinely to look into the audience and sing it to us as if it literally like giving therapy (I feel like it might always be done this way but my memory is hazy). Musically it’s like watching “Sunday” in “Sunday in the Park With George”. Very very very special.

Overall, it’s actually managed to elevate my respect of the material. This is no longer a clunky ‘little show it could’. This is a well crafted Pulitzer Prize winning drama with a team of world class actors taking the show and material very seriously and very deeply. After 15 years, the material has never felt more relevant, has stood the test of time and I’ll be the first to say it - I think it might age better than Hamilton because it’s not wedded in any particular cultural moment in history. Just stunning.













"

What a great review. I can’t wait to be there in a few weeks! 

[electrode10]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 8:41am

Thanks for this lovely review! Deeply regretting not getting tix for our Sept trip. I keep checking back in case any pop up.

[binau]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 10:31am

I don't know the policies but are there rush/standing room/cancellation options too? Definitely try and do everything you can to see the show if you happen to be in London! It's a very special intimate space to see the show, so even if it does have a further life I think you'll want to try and catch it here if you can. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 10:49am

Some tickets pop on (and get taken quickly) over on Theatreboard.co.uk - both in the thread on the show and the noticeboard. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 10:58am

Do we think this will go to the West End and then possibly Broadway?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 11:32am

I would be shocked if this didn’t transfer to the west end. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 11:47am

Fingers crossed we get a cast recording soon! I really wanna hear Cassie sing this iconic score!

[steven22]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 12:42pm

Check out tumblr. Search Caissie Levy and look at recent results! Enjoy 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/23/23 at 2:02pm

Reviews are in!

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/23/next-to-normal-review-donmar-warehouse-londonhttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/23/next-to-normal-review-donmar-warehouse-london

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/next-to-normal-donmar-warehouse-review-cassie-levy-jamie-parker-b1102310.html

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-Donmar-Warehouse-20230822

https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/next-to-normal-review-donmar-warehouse

https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/next-to-normal-review

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/next-to-normal-donmar-warehouse-review-musical-bipolar/

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/next-to-normal-review-donmar-warehouse-b2397896.html

https://theatreweekly.com/review-next-to-normal-at-donmar-warehouse-london/

https://inews.co.uk/culture/arts/next-to-normal-donmar-warehouse-review-musical-mental-illness-2565898

https://monstagigz.com/2023/08/15/theatre-review-next-to-normal-starring-caissie-levy-at-the-donmar-warehouse/

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 12:49pm

Caissie Levy said that they hope this has a future life.  The director said after Caroline or Change, he got Jenine Tesori to talk to Tom Kitt so Donmar could get the rights to Next to Normal.  Maybe this will also go to Studio 54.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 1:22pm

This will likely go to the West End first before returning to Broadway. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 1:23pm

Some of those ‘reviews’ pain me. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 1:32pm

Although this musical might be too dark for audiences.  They want happy and cheery, not depression and manic.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 1:34pm

Broadway Flash said: "Although this musical might be too dark for audiences. They want happy and cheery, not depression and manic."

 

Next to Normal is a masterpiece and I'd take it a hundred times over the "happy and cheery" crap we've been getting as of late.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 2:12pm

TotallyEffed said: "Broadway Flash said: "Although this musical might be too dark for audiences. They want happy and cheery, not depression and manic."


Next to Normal is a masterpiece and I'd take it a hundred times over the "happy and cheery" crap we've been getting as of late."

EXACTLY! We need more original work presented here in the States. I saw more original and creative work in London this summer than I did in the last few years on Broadway!

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 3:11pm

Yes, YOU'D take it a hundred times over, but would audiences?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 3:19pm

Broadway Flash said: "Yes, YOU'D take it a hundred times over, but would audiences?"

Baby, the Britney Spears musical just flopped and is closing next week. Most things on Broadway fail. Things are often brought to Broadway knowing it has a high chance of failure that good reviews or word of mouth can't overcome. Next to Normal its original production was cheap, and was able to recoup. There's no reason to believe that another limited engagement can't have a healthy run. Especially if it gets brought in under Roundabout as a non-profit.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 8/24/23 at 8:33pm

TotallyEffed said: "Broadway Flash said: "Although this musical might be too dark for audiences. They want happy and cheery, not depression and manic."



Next to Normal is a masterpiece and I'd take it a hundred times over the "happy and cheery" crap we've been getting as of late."

Amen. And while Ripley was phenomenal in the role, Levy exudes such warmth/empathy on top of her vocals that I really would kill to see her in this. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/25/23 at 3:03am

Also I feel the ending is extremely motivating and positive and takes you out on a high anyway, even if yes it is a bit of an emotional roller coaster journey to get there. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/25/23 at 9:03am

Donmar Warehouse just posted this to their Instagram! I really hope we get a full cast recording soon!!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwXj8h5oiME/?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ==