rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'- Page 2
rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
TheBoyDownstairs
Featured Actor Joined: 10/10/07
#25re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:33amI think the second act could use a bit of trimming (I'm just not exactly sure where), but damn it has some amazing moments, especially that final bit between Dan & Gabe.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#26re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:35am
I just feel like the most commercial show generally always wins Best Musical. Especially in a year like this with the recession and so many shows closing.
The Tony voters would have bigger balls then I thought if they award N2N Best Musical. It'll be either BILLY or 9 TO 5 but N2N is the rightful winner.
#27re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:35am
Being 51 and much more attuned to shows like KISS ME KATE and CALL ME MADAM, I'm hardly in the demographic for this show. I saw it at 2nd Stage and was knocked out, but this production tops that one. I thought J. Robert Spencer's portrayal was more touching and poignant than Brian d?Arcy James's was. Alice Ripley is quite simply amazing. I'm sorry they took out the supermarket scene, as I thought it really brought home the point of how her seemingly normal character was anything but normal, but we find out soon enough that there's trouble lurking under the surface.
Aaron Tveit is a wonder. Ok, ok, he's adorable, but that young man can really put across a song as well. They'd better keep a defibrillator handy for old queers like me who are liable to have a heart attack watching him leap all over the set like a caged tiger in "I'm Alive". And, if there is a god, in my next life I'm coming back as Aaron's blue boxers.
Seriously, go see this show. It's amazing.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#28re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:36am
Ripley's hair was the same as it was in the pictures from Arena Stages...or at least it seemed like it.
The audience had some younger members but I think they were mostly in the mezzanine or in the boxes (I was in the Orch...right by Michael Beresse).
I just can't stop thinking about the show...
#29re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:43am
The entire cast is great. Ripley is still brilliant, but the biggest improvement for me since 2nd Stage was Tveit. He has grown into that role and that character so well. His performance is much more touching than it was at 2nd Stage, when he basically just sang the hell out of the score. He still sings the hell out of the score (I'm Alive is positively THRILLING), but he's layered the performance a lot.
I would not be at all surprised if he's nominated for a Tony for this. He certainly deserves it. And...go get the lynch mob ready, but I think he's giving a better performance than Greg Jbara.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#30re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:46am
I don't see the out and out raves for Tveit justified, honestly. He's very good, no doubt. And his voice is gorgeous. But I found him to still be a bit stoic in his line-readings. He'll surely get a Tony nod though.
He's very good, don't get me wrong. But I don't know...I didn't think it was possible for Ripley to get any better than she was at 2ST. But she has.
#31re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:51amI'm seeing this in exactly one week and can't wait!!
#32re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:53am
<< Get your tickets. This is the best new musical I've seen this year. And you all know how I loved BILLY ELLIOT. >>
Wicked... totally agree !!! I texted a friend from the train tnite, and told her that as much as I love "BE", I liked
"N2N" more--- !!! NEVER thought I would be saying that !!!
#33re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:53am
He's very good, don't get me wrong. But I don't know...I didn't think it was possible for Ripley to get any better than she was at 2ST. But she has.
Don't misunderstand me...he's nowhere near as brilliant as Ripley, who is giving, as I said, a landmark performance. However, I think Tveit has improved a lot and is doing fantastic work now.
Updated On: 3/28/09 at 12:53 AM
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#34re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:56am
The creative team really buckled down on this one and improved it so much.
It's so much more about the STORY and these CHARACTERS as opposed to just having flashy rock songs for no reason. God, I love it. Just, like I said, it's a shame it probably won't make it. I hope to God I'm wrong, but I just get the feeling there's no way. But I won't focus on what hasn't happened yet. I'll focus on what has happened and the fact that the show is wonderful.
I agree with you, then, about Tveit. He has improved.
Updated On: 3/28/09 at 12:56 AM
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#35re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:00am
Oh, and the rush is a general rush. Not a student rush.
Just to clarify.
#36re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:02amTonight looked to be close to sold-out--- they might just make it, if word of mouth helps at all. Show seems to have a big following already !
#37re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:06am
Ahh reading these comments makes me so excited---I hope this sticks around long enough for me to see it! My friend(s) and I are taking a trip to New York over Memorial Day weekend and we have tickets for that Friday night already (2nd row---squee!!!). I will seriously cry if it closes before then *knocks on wood that it doesn't!*
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#38re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:08am
Remember though, that lots of comps are given out for original musicals during the preview period. And I bet many people in the audience were family/friends of producers/cast members/the creative team etc. I'm sure it will run through the summer though.
And I'm sure this show will have its detractors. And like I said, word of mouth is good but no average Joe is going to fork over money for something that doesn't have flashy sets, costumes, etc and big Broadway moments. Remember, [tos] had a huge following as well. And their first preview was sold out.
Time will tell. Best of luck to it.
Updated On: 3/28/09 at 01:08 AM
JudasIscariot
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/05
#39re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:09am
I am extremely jealous of you all. I want to see this show so badly, but I am in rehearsals for a show and won't be able to see it until April 8th, ughhh. I need to hear more of the music after listening to the demo and preview clips over and over again. They are so addicting.
Just release the cast recording today, please. 
lstbutifulgrl2
Broadway Star Joined: 10/10/07
#40re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:11am
I also saw the show several times at both 2ST and Arena. Tonight was by far (IMO) the best performance I've seen. I'm hoping it lasts. Brantley liked it at 2ST so here's hoping he still does.
I thought all of the performances were outstanding. This cast is just amazing. I also liked the changes during Another Day. I noticed a few other lyrical/melodical changes as well.
Speechless... just go see it.
Question though: Who said the rush was general? I only ask because they were pretty hardcore about checking student IDs this morning.
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#41re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:13amIt's a general rush. There was a miscommunication between the producers and the box office.
lstbutifulgrl2
Broadway Star Joined: 10/10/07
#42re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:15amGood to know, thanks!
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
#43re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:27am
<< Just release the cast recording today, please.>>
Agree !!! Amazon has it shipping on 5/12--- I believe it will be available at the theatre on 5/5.
JudasIscariot
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/05
#44re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:31amI'm going to buy it online 4/7. I need it as soon as I can get my hands on it!
#45re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:33am
<< And I'm sure this show will have its detractors. And like I said, word of mouth is good but no average Joe is going to fork over money for something that doesn't have flashy sets, costumes, etc and big Broadway moments. Remember, [tos] had a huge following as well. And their first preview was sold out.
Time will tell. Best of luck to it. >>
Agree, Wicked... but TOS didnt have a performance like Ripley is giving, and people are going to start hearing about it.
Her performance is worth forking over the bucks for !! :))
KingKong
Broadway Star Joined: 2/28/09
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#47re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:39amAgreed. God, that moment between her and Spencer with the music box made me cry like a baby.
KingKong
Broadway Star Joined: 2/28/09
#48re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:41amYeah, that's pretty awesome. the moment Dan acknowledges Gabe (just the simple, first "no") I lose it.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#49re: rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'
Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:43amThat moment was both Spencer and Tveit's best (acting-wise) throughout the show. Really believable and electrifying. I cried through a lot of the second act... Updated On: 3/28/09 at 01:43 AM
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