Some Thoughts on N2N, WSS and Billy Elliot.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 2:26am

I will start saying that Next to Normal has a few powerful moments and some refreshing (repetitive)nice songs. I think that the music is very good. But whoever said that Andrew Lloyd Webber repeats his melodies over and over can't say that N2N's music isn't any different.
N2N dragged a lot towards the end. Definitely the show I enjoyed the least out of the 3, but then again it is the only one of these 3 shows that isn't based on a movie, so kudos for that! I couldn't personally relate much to the play although my mom is crazy too(self diagnosed) =)
The set of N2N was fantastic I might add.

Billy Elliot was great, I am a fan of the movie and the musical was very enjoyable. I loved the big dance numbers, some of the sets seemed a little cheap for an Elton John musical though.
A great show, but not the best musical I've ever seen like some critic claimed.

I saved the best for last. West Side Story was truly fantastic, the dancing and the choreography were great. Josefina Scaglione is quite a talent, she was truly wonderful. Karen Olivo has come along way too, she was terrific. Both ladies had great chemistry in the number where they argue about Tony. It was terrific. Matt Cauvenaugh was great IMO, his voice sounded awesome.
I had such a wonderful time, I'm thrilled about the success of this revival. Excellent production, my favorite show among these 3 by far.

Updated On: 8/17/09 at 02:26 AM

[Eleah]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 2:47am

I couldnt disagree with you more, but Im glad you had a good time.

[binau]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 2:50am

I guess you don't know Next to Normal's songs by name but if you do can you be more specific? I don't think it is repetitive in the same way that ALW is, I mean, there are reprises but these are dramatically/thematically significant and are often considered just that [reprises], when ALW repeats melodies he does so in entirely different contexts, dramatically. (I'm specifically referring to POTO here, that is).

It's pretty cool you managed to get the three leads in at WSS :P.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 3:52am

I did not think Billy Elliot deserved as much critical acclaim as it was recived and I didnt really enjoy the show that much. The Billys are talented but I just didnt really enjoy the overall show.

I really did enjoy next to normal but I honestly dont remember the second act as much as the first (I might be a little biased; During intermission I was informed of some horrible news which took all my enthusiasm out of the show so that could possibly be why)

But listening to the Soundtrack as much as I do I agree alot of the music is repetitive, almost half of act 2's songs are reprises of act 1 songs But I actually like it. Its the same beat and melody of the songs but diffrent words which change them and the story completly.
(Apart from the beat, You dont know and you dont know reprises are almost 2 diffrent songs and I prefer the reprise)

I really did enjoy the show alot though and Alice Ripley, Crazy or not, is a phenomonal talent.


WSS- Im actually seeing the show again saturday but I did see it once a day or 2 after opening night, It was a saturday and I had 2 shows. I had WSS at 2pm and Little Mermaid at 8 pm. So at 145 I go to get my seat and when the guy scans my ticket it makes a loud beep noise. He looked at my ticket and I got worried that he might have thought it was fake or something. So he looks up at me and says "wrong show come back at 8". I told him I had another show at 8 and it was a mistake and he shrugged and took the next ticket. So I went to the box office and explained my situation and I expressed how I had then nothing to do for so many hours until my show and there had to be something they could do. So they gave me Partial view seats.

The experience was awful which I dont know if it was the seating or the show, which is why im giving it another shot saturday. the seat was in the balcony (The highest seating) and it was on a angle that this big pole blocked about half the stage. I only saw the back of it. I had to lean in the entire first act just to see up stage. Act 2 I gave up and just sat back and listened to the majority of the show. I dont remember much about it just that I enjoyed the "Somewhere" scene where the jets and the sharks were all together I really liked that.

Im hoping I will enjoy the production with better seats this time.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 4:51am

muscle23ftl: Your post is one of the most articulate I've read on this site and your critiques were reasonable too (especially for BW). I don't care for the score for "Billy", but the choreography and staging are top-notch. And I agree with you completely that N2N's score is a times repetitive (the lack of fleshed out melodies sometimes submarines the dramatic moments), but I also agree with you that N2N's originality (not based on a movie, cartoon, etc.) is admirable and deserves attention. I'm glad you saw all three leads in WSS, which is a production I think has been vastly underrated by some despite being a boxoffice bonanza. All 3 shows have very specific qualities and thanks for sharing your views. Very informative.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:02am

Curious what you mean when you say Karen has come a long way. From what?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:07am

I think Billy dragged so much the second time I saw it. I kinda just wanted to leave.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:36am

Wait- WSS wasn't based off a movie, right? I mean, yeah, they used the whole Romeo and Juliet story, but no movies!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 1:40pm

"Wait- WSS wasn't based off a movie, right? I mean, yeah, they used the whole Romeo and Juliet story, but no movies!"

Well, what I mean is that is not an original concept and it's a famous musical and it the movie based on the musical won an Oscar. It's not a new production like Next to Normal.

"Curious what you mean when you say Karen has come a long way. From what?"

The last time I saw her she was in BKLYN.

"Your post is one of the most articulate I've read on this site and your critiques were reasonable too "

Thanks fgreene, I think that's the nicest thing that anyone has told me on this site!

"It's pretty cool you managed to get the three leads in at WSS :P."

Thanks! I had no idea they had bad attendance. Curtis Holbrook was in too, and the new Riff is pretty good too. The chemistry between Josefina and Karen is terrific, I hope you guys get to see those 2 ladies together, it was one of the most passionate numbers I've seen on Broadway.

saveusmike, I'm sure you will enjoy WSS a lot more the second time and make sure you don't check your cell phone until the show it's over!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:28pm

This is totally off topick, but after one of the shows, we went to dinner to one of the restaurants advertised on the playbill, and it was absolutely wonderful! The Argentinean/Italian restaurant that advertises on the playbills, on 8th ave between 51st and 50th street, I forgot the name of it...

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 11:36pm

muscle23ftl, it's funny that I just posted a gushing accolade for WSS on another thread just a few minutes ago, and then I found your post. I agree with you 100% about this amazing production. I am just dumbfounded that so many people on this board are so negative about it. WSS is a treasured American classic and the production that I saw did it justice! Clearly the BEST of the 4 shows that we saw on our last visit.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 12:21am

Which 4 shows did you see luv?

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 6:30pm

We saw Billy Elliot, Toxic Avenger, and Hair. Enjoyed all 4, but WSS was the best. Would have loved to have seen N2N, but couldn't fit it in. Maybe next visit.....

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/18/09 at 7:42pm

I loved N2N, sorry you didnt get into it. I liked Billy Elliot alot, but didn't adore it. I did not see WSS so I cant comment. I am glad that you like Karen and Josie. :) Josie is so cute. Also, you understood the Spanish singing, didn't you. A bonus that you are bi-lingual.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/19/09 at 2:11am

Betty, I just sent you a PM, but you are already answering some of those questions on here, so just disregard a couple of opinions I asked. =)

luvcaroline, your choices were really great! N2N was quite dissappointing to me...

Updated On: 8/19/09 at 02:11 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 4:44am

How was Toxic Avenger?