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

[don logan]

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

[heo1128]

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

Agreed. : D

[CATSNYrevival]

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

Are you a Broadway usher?

[Harpz2006]

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

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

[ZONEACE]

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)

[HeyMrMusic]

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]

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

Glad you enjoyed this great show!

[dramamama611]

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!!!

[steven22]

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

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

[don logan]

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

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

[CurtainPullDowner]

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

And he likes RUDY'S.

Have you seen any Sondheim?

[don logan]

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.

[Bettyboy72]

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.