"Perfect for US": The NEXT TO NORMAL love thread!- Page 16

[WeDon'tHaveGreyGoose]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 6:53pm

"And we'd be spending less time debating whether it was responsible or irresponsible in its portrayal of the medical profession and protocols."

(Sorry, I don't know how to work the italics)

I kind of like that Hobson gets to play both, because then the appearance of the actor can directly represent the entirety of the psychiatric profession, which is a significant yet singular part of the story. I don't know that simply adding another actor would lower the level of debate, and I don't know that I would want it to. It's important to ask ourselves how accurate a show like this can be, but not to our world so much as the world they try to portray. To me, the world of N2N is very much in sync with ours, but it also presents the possibility that these "ghosts" of our past can be more tangible than we give those feelings credit for. This is part of the reason I'm trying to push my mom to come see the show before it's too late; I want her take as a psychiatrist. I just hope the story doesn't scar her too much! :P

But I do agree that any chance given to the understudies is always nice!

As for reviews, even if critics don't get the same kick out of the show that we clearly do, I hope that they will be sincere in their take on the genre as a whole. As I've been saying to my friends and co-workers, the main bulk of people who will not be engaged by N2N:

A) Don't like musicals

B) Only like musicals about frivolous subjects

It's a real tough show, caught between cynical critics and a flood of tourists that has become progressively more numb to emotion. It's far too much to hope for, but I just wish some of these critics would just preface their reviews saying: "I HATE IT WHEN THINGS MAKE ME FEEL STUFF!"

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 7:30pm

wow, people really have lost touch with the theatrically device of an aside haven't they?

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 7:50pm

One could argue that "I Miss the Mountains," "I've Been," and "Wish I Were Here" are sung directly to the audience.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 8:00pm

along with Just Another Day, Who's Crazy/My Psycho..., Wish I Were Here, and Light

[singer73192]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 8:48pm

Quick question-

Does anyone know if the wheelchair accessible seats for n2n can still be bought by a person not in a wheelchair.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 11:10pm

Aaron and Alice both won Helen Hayes Awards this evening...and NEXT TO NORMAL won Best Non-Resident Production!

Wow and CONGRATS!

[snl89]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 11:19pm

^OMG YAYY!! <3 <3

Congrats to Alice, Aaron, and the show!!

[WeDon'tHaveGreyGoose]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 11:20pm

SWEEEEEEEEEEET!!!

A little something extra to advertise with, and a big honor for both of the stars!

[steven22]

Posted: 4/13/09 at 11:24pm

please please please
hoping that Next To Normal does well at the tonys......

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 4:03am

Has anyone been able to figure out what the line of music is from that scrolls across the screen on the website? It used to be from Just Another Day, but I don't think it is anymore. Being a music major, I feel kind of stupid that I can't figure it out.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 9:06am

Thats awesome that they won those Helen Hayes awards. Congrats to them! Hope the good news continues tomorrow with some amazing reviews

[steven22]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 9:54am

this show NEEDS to do well at the tonys!!! pleassseee...

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 10:00am

http://www.broadway.com/Behind-the-Scenes-Next-to-Normal-Recording/broadway_video/5025182

Anyone seen this?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 11:22am

I have a good feeling about the reviews..

Think there will be at least a few raves. Especially for the score.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 12:04pm

"Think there will be at least a few raves. Especially for the score."

When you look at all the 2nd Stage reviews and how they have corrected most critics issues with the show and look at the Arena reviews, I expect some too.

I expect great things to be said about the score, but expect the most raves to be for Alice Ripley, and of course she will deserve every single one she gets.

[rich.hanson59]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 1:55pm

I saw the show for the first time last night, and I loved it. The score is great, the story is wonderful and touching, the performances are amazing. But the one thing I was impressed with the most was the cast's vocals. They all had great strong voices and they sounded so great together. I loved the show, and can't wait to revisit it.

Since everyone has been talking Tonys, I'll tell you what I think. I think that this show should definately win the Tony for Best Musical. I also think that Alice Ripley deserves Best Leading Actress, and I would like to see Aaron Tveit at least get a nomination for Best Featured Actor.

[snl89]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 2:02pm

Yeah, about the Tonys:

more than anything else, I am REALLY REALLY hoping that somehow the show will beat out Billy Elliot and win Best Musical. I mean, I haven't seen Billy Elliot and I'm sure it's incredible, but BE does not NEED the Tony exposure in order to be successful. It's already a huge hit. Give the Tony to an incredible show that needs all the help it can get in order to survive!!

I mean, it's not like it doesn't deserve it anyway.

So I just really want to see that happen. I can't bare the thought that this show might not last for long, while far more imperfect productions are doing well

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 2:33pm

SNL-I love Billy Elliot too but I feel more passionately about Next to Normal. It really would be neat to see it do what Avenue Q did and beat the bigger shows. (Has anyone considered that 9 to 5 and Billy Elliot could split the vote? I thought about it-not out of the realm of possibility.) I think best actress should really go to Alice Ripley and hope the voters agree.

Here's hoping!

[steven22]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:00pm

Next To Normal should do what Avenue Q has done...with the tony...but in reality...as much as I would like it to win Best Musical...It probably won't...one of the more "glamourous" shows like BE will

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:05pm

I LOVED Billy Elliot, couldnt have enjoyed it more, but it didnt connect with me the way Next To Normal did, so I'll be rooting for N2N to take the Tony this year.

I'm not counting on it happening, but I'm hoping like hell.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:11pm

bwaygal1 ~ I've definitely thought that the possibility of the "big guns" splitting the vote exists. Fingers crossed!!

[snl89]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:11pm

I just don't think Billy Elliot NEEDS it like Next to Normal does. And that's not to suggest that Next to Normal is somehow worse for needing it. It's just because it's a tiny, completely original musical about a risque subject matter. A Tony win, if I feel like, could really really have a big positive effect on how long it runs for.

With BE, it may be as equally wonderful a show, I really don't know, but I do know that it's going to do just fine sales wise whether it wins or not.

So if it comes down to two shows of equal quality, one which actually could HUGELY benefit from a Tony win and one which will be fine no matter what, how does it make sense to give it to the one which doesn't need it??


So yeah, I'm not expecting it, but really really hoping it'll happen



And of course I AM legit expecting Alice to win Best Actress. That's a given haha.

And I'd love to see Aaron win too, but if Will Swenson won over him I wouldn't be upset because Will is completely brilliant as well :P

And Jenn REALLY needs to get a nomination. She's too good not to.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:32pm

Alice, Aaron and Jenn are all amazing...!

[WeDon'tHaveGreyGoose]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:34pm

N2N would DEFINITELY be extended with a Tony win, I am sure of it. Something I'm noticing now is that the mezz has been filling up pretty consistently; not sure about the orchestra, but I imagine it has to be fairly consistent. Not sure how many comps are still happening, but it says something that business is going up. The thing is, the Booth is such a freakin' small theatre to host even a moderately priced musical, I could see producers pulling out even if sales were fairly consistent, in order to put something cheaper in its place.

So yes, a Tony (or several) and a rush of advance sales could be all that keeps this baby going past the summer! I hope I hope I hope!

[heo1128]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 3:36pm

^Do you know how long it's contracted for currently?