Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.

[don logan]

Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#1

Posted: 6/5/09 at 12:03am

So first off let me say that I haven't seen nearly as many Broadway musicals as most of you here ; probably about ten or eleven. I have however worked on Broadway for the last five years ( I won't say exactly what I do) : I've subbed on 5 Broadway shows, worked at one full time for 2 years and done 5 off Broadway shows.

I absolutely loved Next to Normal. I loved that it was a bold original work that is difficult and does not pander to the audience. I loved that it tread in VERY difficult subject matter that is usually reserved for plays. I loved the score. I loved that there is a show on Broadway that has this much truth in it. I also think the show is not for everyone.

I should also admit that I grew up with a mentally ill mother, and spent most of act two sobbing uncontrollably.

Just sayin is all

"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."

[heo1128]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#2

Posted: 6/5/09 at 12:43am

Agreed. : D

[CATSNYrevival]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#2

Posted: 6/5/09 at 1:20am

Are you a Broadway usher?

[Harpz2006]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#3

Posted: 6/5/09 at 1:21am

I would guess musician- and I agree with your thoughts on n2n!

[ZONEACE]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#4

Posted: 6/5/09 at 1:23am

its definitely musician or usher (i cant think of any other broadway job where you could work full time for 2 years as well as sub at different places)

when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.

[HeyMrMusic]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#5

Posted: 6/5/09 at 1:24am

don logan's profile says he is a musician.

Glad you enjoyed! As a musician myself (if that's what you are, don, haha), I would love to play in the band or musically direct it one day.

~Steven

[BroadwayBound062]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#6

Posted: 6/5/09 at 1:31am

Glad you enjoyed this great show!

Genius lasts longer than beauty.

[dramamama611]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#7

Posted: 6/5/09 at 4:50am

I love the guessing part of this thread....but the 'sub' part also led me to musician.

Anywho....I didn't grow up with anyone mentally ill and I still sobbed throughout the show. It has certainly taken its place in my heart as well.


Be careful, Dan......It can be a addictive!!!

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[steven22]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#8

Posted: 6/5/09 at 6:29am

I also feel very strongly on Next To Normal..I think it is amazing too

[don logan]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#9

Posted: 6/5/09 at 10:53am

Oops....says musician in my profile. Duh. Ah, oh well.

"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."

[CurtainPullDowner]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#10

Posted: 6/5/09 at 11:01am

And he likes RUDY'S.

Have you seen any Sondheim?

[don logan]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#11

Posted: 6/5/09 at 4:20pm

Actually I don't like Rudy's as much as I loved that they put a face mask on their pig for swine flu protection.

Only Sondheim I've seen is a PBS broadcast of Sunday in the Park with Mandy Potamkin and Bernadette P. It was a long time ago and at that time my favorite music was Mettalica, so I wasn't really into it.

"Never before has an American president been so closely tied to a foreign power that harbors and supports our country's mortal enemies."

[Bettyboy72]

re: Why Next to Normal is my favorite musical that I have seen.#12

Posted: 6/5/09 at 4:32pm

Don, I totally agree with you and feel that is why N2N is ultimately a stronger piece than BE. I loved BE, but N2N goes into some seriously dark emotional terrain, but does so beautifully and gracefully with stunning results. It takes many more risks than BE.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello