"Perfect for US": The NEXT TO NORMAL love thread!- Page 54

[afaye11]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 4:12pm

Thanks for the "review"!

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 4:35pm

I guess I'm one of the few who didn't care for Michael's performance. I didn't feel that he connected with the character or the rest of the cast. It was like he was doing a different show, and I thought his voice sounded weak. One thing I will say for Tim Young is that although I didn't really like his interpretation of Gabe, he did have good chemistry with the rest of the cast. With Michael, it seemed something was missing.

Posted: 9/26/09 at 6:35pm

Re: Aaron, Gossip Girl does not film on weekends so he should be/should have been back today.

[Elke]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 6:39pm

Checked the board right after the matinee: yes, Aaron was back. Michael Berry was on as Dan. Seeing Memphis tonight, so I can check again before the evening show.

[NDR]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 7:28pm

Aaron definitely in tonight. He walked steps in front of me all the way to the theater at around 7pm.

[Elke]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 11:43pm

Yep, and looks like J. Robert Spencer is back as well: the understudy board was empty when I checked at 7:15pm

Posted: 9/27/09 at 12:22am

Yes, they were both back tonight and in top form. :)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 10:00pm

Bobby was out of the matinee today, Michael went on.

Tonight, Bobby did act 1, then left, with Michael doing act 2. A couple of posters were there, so I'm sure they'll provide a more detailed report!

[sgv123]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 10:06pm

I saw the matinee today and I thought it was great. It my first viewing... I have not seen Bobby yet, but I thought that Michael was great.
Updated On: 9/27/09 at 10:06 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 10:14pm

Who was a skeptic and now a convert? *raises hand*

I thought it was just brilliant.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 10:25pm

I saw the matinee as well today. It was my first time. I think this will be the first show I have ever seen where I was in tears, which is a good thing. But, I think that might be because the story sort of hits a little close to home for me. Not exactly, but very similar.

[Elke]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 11:22pm

J. Robert Spencer was back for the evening show. But he was replaced by Michael Berry for the second act. He seemed to have some vocal problems during the first act, so I hope he gets enough time to rest and get better.

[claudioislove]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 11:27pm

I FINALLY GOT TICKETS. Ahhh I cannot explain how excited I am.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 11:40pm

Oh....go ahead and TRY to tell us!

[GabeDiDanNatalie]

Posted: 9/27/09 at 11:41pm

I have to agree what a few others have said-Michael's acting is more subtle and really works in the ballad numbers like "A Light In the Dark", but vocally I just don't think he can match Alice's voice when it comes to vocal strength. Some of the more rock type numbers feel a bit flat.

And thanks for letting me know that there are no refunds/exchanges when someone is "below the title"....I didn't know that was the rule.

Alice just keeps getting better and better. She never fails to make me cry at least once. She absolutely slays me in "I Dreamed a Dance/There's a World". There is this sob that she does that makes me feel Diana's pain so completely in that moment...

Love love this show.

Posted: 9/27/09 at 11:55pm

Really surprised Bobby was out again today, he seemed totally fine last night! Hope he feels better and rests.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:00am

It made me cry as well, but I am a crier. It touched me in a lot of ways. I went in having not even read a synopsis, thank heavens. I am usually the one to notice subtle things in shows like the reveal in the first act. I never saw it coming. I must also say that I don't particularly care for Alice's voice. HOWEVER, she blew me away. She is so strong vocally and SO emotional, it was unlike anything I have experienced. It was such a beautiful, powerful show.

While we were waiting to get in, there was a Carmen Miranda impersonator walking through Shubert Alley. Alice came in, I assume from the flea market, wearing a short hot pink trench coat and a hat pulled down low. She was pointing a the impersonator and mouthing, "look! look!" I assume so no one would make a big deal about her running in. It was really cute.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:06am

I was right there too. It was random. I saw her coming and then she pointed that out, and I was just standing there like "Was that Alice Ripley, and did she kind of just interact with whoever was right there?"

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:58am

We must have been close by! She looked so beautiful up close.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 10:35am

Yeah. I think she said something like, "I should have worn that costume today."

I was thinking about doing the stage door afterwards, but left after five minutes because the girls standing near me were creeping me out a bit. Something about social networking sites and Jennifer Damiano. I think the random Alice Ripley moment was much cooler anyway.

Posted: 9/28/09 at 11:12am

I'm just waiting to announce that Next to Normal is coming to Chicago... If your FB friends with Broadway in Chicago, You'll know that the groups they are members for are shows that are in Chicago or have been. Ie, Legally Blonde, JB, Spring Awakening. And today, they joined a N2N group...

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:44pm

Anyone know if Aaron will be in tonight? I'm hoping Bobby is back as well, but most importantly he needs to rest up and get better so I'd be happy seeing Michael as Dan. I wouldn't mind seeing Kyle Dean either if Aaron is out.


Seeing the show tonight at 8 and am getting a backstage tour beforehand! So excited! I'm especially happy to be going with my mom and aunt who have never seen it before and have no idea what they're in for.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:47pm

Aaron was in yesterday. I don't think that will be an issue. J. Robert Spencer was not in the matinee and only act 1 of the evening, so who knows. I also don't think he was at the flea market like he was supposed to be, or did they switch his table time?

[trombonist]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:49pm

Since Aaron hasn't been out because of illness, it will probably depend on if he's shooting Gossip Girl and when. Apparently last weekend he said he would be missing a lot of weekday shows but in on the weekends. I don't know how long that's supposed to go on though.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/28/09 at 12:51pm

Yeah, that's what I was curious about.. if he was filming Gossip Girl today or not. Guess I'll just find out tonight. Not a big deal really, just wondering. Thanks guys!