Why Are The Kids So Attracted To Next To Normal?- Page 3

[legally_popular]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 5:09am

What dramamama described about showing your devotion to a show by attending multiple times is what I don't get. No offense but I just don't understand some people's need to go see it every week. I personally don?t get to see that many shows as often as I'd like, so when I do get to go see something, I'd rather it be something I haven't seen yet. And I like to get a taste of different things - plays, musicals, dramas, comedies. I love that younger people are going to the theater, but some people go see N2N, Spring Awakening, Rent, Wicked, etc. like 20 times or more. You don?t need to be THAT "devoted."

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 5:16am

I agree: it's worn like a badge of honor...all part if the needing to be important and be seen...youTube, texting, cell phones, blogs, twitter....blech.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 5:16am

I agree: it's worn like a badge of honor...all part if the needing to be important and be seen...youTube, texting, cell phones, blogs, twitter....blech.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 10:41am

the reason i go to shows over and over again is because i enjoy the shows. i don't really feel like i need to show anyone the fact that i am a devoted fan, but in favor of your arguement i do know a whole lot of people that ARE like that. some of them are kind of scary. i go simply because i enjoy it. in N2N's cast i enjoyed the music the most(and maybe Aaron Tveit in boxers). and regarding the comment that legally said about going to see a new show because you don't get to see shows as often as you like, i'd feel the same way if i was in that position. i'd want to see a big variety of shows. i can afford to go to alot of shows and live practically next to the lincoln tunnel in jersey so i can get there easily so i go often and have seen everything i want to see. so for me until the fall comes with the new shows, i'll just be doing repeat visits.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 12:05pm

I go a lot because frankly it's a safe space for me to let go emotionally and not keep everything locked up inside.

And yes, I do see other shows as well.

[ActingIsLovee]

Posted: 6/27/09 at 12:22pm

(I've yet to see the show, but I listen to the cast recording almost daily and plan on rushing tomorrow)
I think you may be underestimating the connecting teens may have to Diana as well.
From my experience (I'm sixteen), many teens, particularly those in the arts, have had various mental issues.
And the identification with Natalie is obvious, the idea of being disconnected from a family.
Also, I'll say that the teen fan base is really just teens who are really into musical theatre, nothing like the fangirls of RENT, Wicked, or SA.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 5:32pm

I music direct for a high school theater program and was absolutely shocked that these kids even knew what the show was. I came in for rehearsal the day the Tony noms were announced and you'd think they were told their production was moving to Broadway. There were tears, there were screams, there were hugs, and other over-the-top antics because Next to Normal was up for musical. Only two people in the room had seen the show and I was one of them.

On the plus side, they all started singing "I'm Alive" and "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" instead of the score of Spring Awakening.

[DaNciNgFairy291]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 5:43pm

I'm 17 years old and I can relate to probably about every character in the show. I suffer from depression, so the whole Diana thing and feelings I totally understand. I think for me, what drew me in was the music. What's not to love with that? When I went, I was basically surrounded by senior citizens (I went to a matinee) and they were surprised to find out that I was only graduating high school. It really depends on the maturity level, which some people do not have any at all. And I agree with the whole "fangirls jumping on the wagon." I want to go back and take friends so they know what I'm experiencing. This message is universal, and I'm so happy it's out there.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 8:49pm

yay_gerb, that's so awesome that you get to see so many shows and some multiple times. I'm not talking about fans like that. I'm mainly talking about the people who would rather go see a show they've already seen 20 times rather than something else. Then they go to the stage door for the umpteenth time as if to show the cast that they're the biggest, most dedicated fan. I've always believed that there's nothing wrong with loving a show that much, as long as it's not an unhealthy obsession. Just wanted to clarify the difference.


Like many have said before, the music is what first attracted me to the show. I fell in love with it. Some of the words really strike a chord with me. Sometimes I even have trouble singing along with the cast recording because I get emotional and get choked up singing some lyrics.