rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal'- Page 3

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:44am

That moment was heartbreaking. One of many in this fine show.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:44am

I didn't get a chance to see the 2nd Stage or Arena so I went in really knowing nothing. I literally left the theater speechless, what a performance Alice gives, so honest and just amazing. I sat the last row center and seats were great felt as if I didn't miss anything...There can't be a bad seat in the house. They are selling T-shirts, caps, Window cards, and CD pre-orders. I stage-doored after Alice was the sweetest thing ever. Took pictures and signed everyones Playbill, she really took time to listen to what everyone had to say and was so sincere and gracious. What a wonderful night...I will be back many many many times.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:46am

A simply incredible evening.

Full review to come.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 1:49am

Completely random, but there was a Story of My Life playbill in the armrest of my seat. I found that amusing. But back to the show... I didn't think it was possible for Ripley to give a better performance than in previous versions, but her characterizations were brilliant and heartbreaking. I hope she stays hydrated because the tears were heavily flowing throughout the entire show.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 2:25am

I forgot to ask what date the cast recording will be in the theatre ~ there was an early report somewhere that it would be there the same day as the digital drop. BUT... You can pre-order at the theatre and pay with cash (or credit card...but for instant payment cash!) and it's $25. It will be $35 when it's actually there.

Other merch:
baseball caps $15
t-shirts $20
window cards $10

Nothing really to add to the reviews. It's even tighter than at Arena. Simply amazing. Muchos love for this production and cast!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 2:45am

--- "And, if there is a god, in my next life I'm coming back as Aaron's blue boxers."

Who wouldn't??!!


I'm so excited to hear all the amazing reviews! I plan/hope to go on the 18th...a double header with Hair. (Prays to the planning gods!)

[viola13]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 3:01am

While I was buying a windowcard (I can't believe they're only $10!), the girl selling merch said they're hoping to have them in the theater on the same day as the digital drop, but they're not completely sure yet.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 3:28am

I NEED TO SEE THIS LIKE NOW!

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 7:54am

If it indeed was a miscommunication btwn producers and the box office for the rush, I'll def be back to rush next week. Such an amazing show.

It wont get out of my head, I woke up with "Superboy And The Invisible Girl" in my head

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 8:36am

Thanks guys!

I love the show too! I saw it at 2ST-though it was not perfect but I like it! I'm getting to excited to hear promising news about the show!! wo-hoo!

Yes. BILLY ELLIOT most likely will win the TONYS. Alice Ripley better win the TONYS!!

J*

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 8:57am

Would it be great if N2N will win the TONYS for Best New Musical and HAIR (definitely) as Best Revival!

Wow! 2009 ~the year TONY really ROCKS!!!

J*

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:02am

I thought Billy Elliot was fantastic, but I absolutely did not feel the way I do right now after seeing that show. I'm still thinking about Next to Normal right now, and can't wait to go back. I really think the Tony race has gotten a lot more interesting now...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:03am

BILLY ELLIOT has the award, Jaystarr. Don't even bother to spend time worrying about it. NEXT TO NORMAL will surely be nominated, but it will not win.

...and I still want the brilliant WEST SIDE STORY to win best revival...

NEXT TO NORMAL's best chance at any award will be Alice Ripley for Best Actress, which is still a possibility. While the award for Best Score is still up in the air, I have a sad feeling it will go to BILLY ELLIOT (even though the score was the weakest part of the show), just because of the momentum that show has going into the Tony Awards...and I guess we can't count out Dolly Parton's score for 9 TO 5 just yet.
Updated On: 3/28/09 at 09:03 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:06am

Thank goodness we have you to let us know these things, WAT. Maybe we shouldn't even bother waiting until June to hand out the awards, since you're so sure. And really, what's the point of mentioning the WSS revival in this thread, which has absolutely NOTHING to do with that show?

[singer73192]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:15am

Does anyone have a pic of the playbill?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:24am

It's the same thing as the logo. Purple, with the eyes, the house, and the musical note, with the title in the white font.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:28am

I'm not sure that BE has it in the bag. Someone earlier mentioned that the Tonys tend to go to blockbusters and how they will be thinking about the economy. Those seem to be opposing remarks.

Shows like BE and probably 9to5 won't NEED any help. SA wasn't a hit until right around the Tony Awards...it was definitely struggling. SO...if they want to BOOST a show, that gives N2N a better chance, doesnt' it?

I loved BE immensely, but I have to admit I'm rooting for N2N (I haven't seen it since the 2nd Stage days...YET) I really would love a truly origninal show to take it.

[dg22894]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 9:42am

It might end up like 2003 where a lot of people thought wicked would win and it did not. Maybe Billy Elliot is the Wicked and N2N is Avenue Q. I love the score to the show cannot wait for the cast album.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 10:14am

<< I thought Billy Elliot was fantastic, but I absolutely did not feel the way I do right now after seeing that show. I'm still thinking about Next to Normal right now, and can't wait to go back. I really think the Tony race has gotten a lot more interesting now... >>

Totally agree !!!!! I cant get "N2N" out of my head !

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 10:21am

<< BILLY ELLIOT has the award, Jaystarr. Don't even bother to spend time worrying about it. NEXT TO NORMAL will surely be nominated, but it will not win. >>

I agree, about "BE", but would not be shocked if "N2N" won.

<<...and I still want the brilliant WEST SIDE STORY to win best revival... >>

Wat... you really think "WSS" is "brilliant"? Gotta very respectfully disagree with you. I thought the women were good (Olivo the best, by far), but the rest was very underwhelming, at least for me.



<>

Agree here, but if there is any justice, "N2N" will win for score. The "BE" score is totally forgettable, and by far, the weakest part of the show.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 10:35am

Got my ticket for tonight... I am very excited.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 10:38am

I decided to wait til today to post my comments as not rain on everyone's first preview happiness last night. While I thought the show was good, I also found it to be very flawed. I did see the show at 2nd Stage, and actually liked it better, even though some of the performances are better now.

Sorry if this is a little scattered.

What I liked:

Alice Ripley, Aaron Tveit, Jennifer Damiano and Adam Chanler-Berat. I will agree with everyone else that Alice is giving an absolutely amazing performance here. She definitely deserves any praise she will receive, and although we haven't seen 9 to 5 yet, she will be a front runner for the Tony easily. It is worth it to see the show just for Alice.

Aaron Tveit is the most improved since 2nd Stage. During that run I found him to be quite bland actually, but not last night. He has grown SO much into the character and his vocals sounded great. I still feel like the authors don't know what to do with his character in act two, but that certainly isn't Tveit's fault. He really stepped up to the plate and surprised me.

Jennifer Damiano was also wonderful. I liked her off Broadway, but appreciate her much more now too. She isn't "acting" Natalie so much now as "feeling" her, if that makes any sense! Her chemistry with Adam is good.

In general I feel like these four actors have taken a journey together, well in fact they literally have, and it really shows. Their performances are now so layered and fulfilling. This only adds to my frustration about J. Robert Spencer and feel like it only makes him stick out like a sore thumb.

But sticking to what I like, I generally like the score, although I wish there were a few more buttons to the numbers. The design and direction are all well-executed. I loved the three tier set at 2nd Stage and still like it now.

Now on to the not so good.

The second act needs a little shaving, especially near the end. The show seems to end four different times, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if they left it as is. I really missed Feeling Electric at the end of act one. I guess I really liked the song and I thought it brought you into intermission with bang, and not the new limp act one finale. I would love to have them reinstate it, although that probably won't happen. I was also partial to Growing Up Unstable, and thought it fleshed out Natalie a little more.

As I mentioned above, my biggest problem with the evening was J. Robert Spencer. I felt like he wasn't at the same level as the rest of the cast, and was really giving a wooden, bland performance. The humor of the early scenes was totally lost on him. The dramatic moments were lacking as well. This was especially evident in the scenes with Ripley when she was acting rings around him.

All in all the show was good, but could be better. Still, even the best production of the material could not rival Billy Elliot, [tos] or The Story of My Life this season for me. The story and characters didn't connect with me the way the characters of Passing Strange, A Catered Affair or any of the aforementioned shows did.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 10:38am

My tickets for N2N aren't for a few more weeks..I can't wait..Please review the show! anyone that goes!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 11:54am

After thinking about it, I agree with Whizzer on one front: Spencer.

It's not going to make me change my final "rating" of the show but I do agree that while he's solid, he's just not at the same level as the rest of the cast. He's nowhere near as good as D'Arcy James was, and it's a shame because I feel like D'Arcy James would have an actual shot at winning Best Actor in a Musical if he were in N2N. Spencer and Ripley also need to work a bit on their chemistry.

But, after a night of thinking about it, I am still blown away by the show. Like I said, it's so refreshing to have a musical like this that many consider a rock musical that simply doesn't sacrifice characters or plot for the sake of rock ballads. When there's a rock song, it makes sense. When there's a more pensive, quiet, intimate song, it makes sense as well. I just really thought it was a powerful evening of theater and did something no new musical since SPRING AWAKENING has done, it showed the audience something fresh, new, and worth seeing because it's something Broadway hasn't seen yet. I hope the critics are as kind as we are to it.

And my thought is that this may become something of a "XANADU" or "LUPONE: GYPSY" type show in that the reviews will be positive and the box office will jump after the reviews come out and then kind of flatline after the Tonys and all. It may run for a while but will it recoup? Doubtful. For the 849th time, I hope I'm wrong.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/28/09 at 12:17pm

I also really liked D'Arcy James in the role, and found his chemistry with Ripley to be wonderful. At the end of the 2nd Stage production Brian was the one who emotionally had me. His breakdown was awesome.

I don't always mean to be bringing up Passing Strange in every thread, but compared to this Passing Strange was SO much better for me. Talk about well-drawn out characters and not sacrificing development for a rock score. I mean I did like the score for Next to Normal too, but I didn't think it was better, especially lyrically.

I'm not trying to be really down on the show. I guess I just liked the actually show better in the previous version, although the quartet of actors has improved. (Plus replacing Asa was a good move too.)