rOcKS @ 'Next to Normal' — Page 5

"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?"

I mentioned WSS in response to Jaystarr's mention of HAIR in the post right before yours. Believe me, if he hadn't brought up Best Revival of a Musical in this thread, I wouldn't have either.

"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."

Do I think the WSS as a show is brilliant? Yes. Do I love this revival, but realize it has some flaws? Of course. The pacing is off, the costumes aren't good, and yes, the ensemble could butch it up a little. But it is still a solid (and very enjoyable) revival. Olivo was excellent (save for America), but I truly enjoyed Matt and Josefina's performances as well.


...and now back to N2N...Alice Ripley for the Tony!

I really liked NEXT TO NORMAL. I had seen it twice off Broadway, once in DC and now this first preview on Broadway.

My favorite actors in the show are by far Alice Ripley and Aaron Tveit. Both are fantastic and I do hope Alice wins and that Aaron gets a nomination.

Do I think it is "brilliant"? No. I really like a lot of the score, but I found that last night, I was looking for "buttons" to end each song, and found that most kind of trailed off, which annoyed me. "I Miss the Mountains" was good, but I feel like I've heard Alice sing it better. My two favorite songs in the show "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" and "I'm Alive" were outstanding.

For me, it is a very solid, good show, and I am happy for the cast that they have made it to Broadway. However, I was never moved like I was during BILLY ELLIOT or THE STORY OF MY LIFE. I think I enjoyed it the most when I saw it in Washington, DC (i know the show is VERY similar to the DC run right now, but I'm just stating my opinion).

I was in row C in the mezz, which was a great view to take in the show and see all three levels of the set. I thought the audience would be more enthusiastic than they were (since this show has a lot of fans from the show's prevous runs), but again, maybe if there were more points in the show for applause, the audience would have been able to erupt and react more. Even Jill Santoriello made changes to her songs in A TALE OF TWO CITIES so that the ends of the songs had "buttons" to allow for more enthusiastic audience reactions. I know that NEXT TO NORMAL was already recorded, but I would not be opposed to Tom Kitt making a few changes to allow for this. (the 13 cast recording was done early and does not totally reflect on the "final" score)

I have not yet seen Allison Janney's performance in 9 TO 5, but from what I've seen so far, I would give Alice Ripley the Tony right now. She is giving a wonderful performance and deserves to win.

So, overall, I enjoyed myself, but would be completely shocked if it beats BILLY ELLIOT for the Tony Award. BILLY is a much better crafted show that (i believe) has more mass appeal. If NEXT TO NORMAL wants to last beyond mid-June, I hope their marketing/advertising people start working on a campaign soon. I do feel like it will be a hard-sell to tourists, but I am definitely interested to see how this show will fare in this economy. I do wish them the best of luck.

Thank you, Wickedrocks, for your response.

I completely agree with you that N2N is unlike XANADU in terms of material. Yes, N2N is deep, dark and thought-provoking, unlike XANADU, which was pure fluff that somehow managed to garner positive reviews.

I also agree that it's unfair to compare N2N to RENT and SPRING AWAKENING. Thank you for mentioning that.

I am so glad that while you love the show, you are also very realistic in how you think it will fare among WICKED, JERSEY BOYS, etc etc. I really look forward to seeing what the marketing team will do with N2N, and frankly, I hope it works out for them.

Jordangirl, I was actually responding to bjh2114. Sorry!

When I was mentioning Billy Elliot, [tos] and The Story of My Life I wasn't making predictions about who would be nominated for best musical at the Tonys. I realize Story won't be eligible and [tos] may not even be nominated. All I was saying was that I thought that all three were better musicals/productions.

I still liked Next to Normal. I think it is a good show. I'm just not raving about it the way I quite frankly wanted to. Maybe my expectations were too high, having already enjoyed it at 2nd Stage.

I do believe that the producers really need to work on the marketing of this show. The subject material already makes it a tough sell and I'm seeing NO advertising around town. They can't wait for the reviews to come out. Just get posters and signs up now.

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When I was mentioning Billy Elliot, [tos] and The Story of My Life I wasn't making predictions about who would be nominated for best musical at the Tonys. I realize Story won't be eligible and [tos] may not even be nominated. All I was saying was that I thought that all three were better musicals/productions.

I knew what you were saying, i still found it hilarious.

Thought I should weigh in on N2N. imho, this is the best musical to open on Bway this year. It isn't perfect, but with the changes made on the journey of the show, I have hopes that it could get there. The only thing I suspect will still be there on opening night that shouldn't is J. Robert Spencer. If they made the difficult choice to recast that role in previews, I think half the problems of the show would disappear. Ripley is giving a not-to-be-missed performance. Damiano is also extremely strong. I think the actor playing Henry has made quite a journey. When I saw the show at Second Stage, he was the weak link, and he is absolutely and utterly charming now. As everyone has mentioned, Tveit is turning it out like a pro.

As much as I adored Billy Elloitt, Next to Normal has more social impact and has a much better score. I don't envy Tony voters this year, but I'd love to see Ripley, Kitt, and Tveit win Tonys.

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Although i miss the full version from the NYMF days, this version is still one of my favorite moments in the show becase of

OMG the NYMF version of I've Been was to die for. I loved it so much. But this version is definitely great too, and fits really well with where the show has ended up (i really like that they put the song back in and still included some of the more poignant lines a la "mine is just a slower suicide")

definitely, and Spencer is great in it. If he gets a tony nomination (which i think is possible) it will thanks to that song and the reprise of I Am the One. I swear, the moment he acknowledges Gabe's presence, I lose my mind, every time. And as much as I loved Brian's performance, Spencer takes it a completely different level emotionally.

Now, if they'd just fix the amplification, it would perfect.

I saw it tonight and I thought it was great! Aaron was fantstic and I really hope he gets a nomination, I have been a huge fan of his ever since he was first in Hairspray and I want to see him get imense success. Alice was really, really good. She makes you feel her pain and he truobles and is so emotional. She goes on an amazing journey and she acts it fantastically, shes so powerful. Jennifer as imporoved alot from when it was off broadway and I really think that she will get a nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She plays the part less like a drugy girl who has occasional sarcasim, she really feels the character and acts and sings beautifully. J.Robert Spencer was the weakest link of the show. I feel like he didnt have any connection to anyone and he was just going though the motions. He singing was ok and his acting wasnt that good, overall he just doesnt compare to Brian who I really think should have done this and not Shrek.the score was great and I loved all the songs expecailly I'm Avlive and I Am the One. Overall I would give it 4 out of 5 stars because the lacking performance of Spencer and the unsableness of Act Two.

Hopefully! I just don't see how Janney can win. She's funny and endearing in 9 TO 5 but Ripley is simply incomparably good.