On January 3, 2010, Grace and I officially began our 12 Musicals in 12 Months project. We kicked off the new year by seeing Next to Normal, one of our favorite shows. This marked the fourth time for both of us and the third time we saw the complete original cast. When we purchased the tickets about a month before the show, we picked the date because of convenience. About a week later, it was announced as Aaron Tveit’s final day. Grace and I were very happy to hear that we would be seeing Aaron again, as both of us preferred him over Kyle Dean Massey. As mentioned, my younger sister Katie tagged along on this theatre adventure and I was excited that she would be seeing the complete original cast for not only her first time seeing Next to Normal, but her first Broadway show ever! She was even excited about it and she doesn’t even like musicals all that much.
As it is currently winter break, we were all coming from home rather than our conveniently located Long Island college. Luckily, NJ Transit is the ideal mode of transportation into New York City for both me and Grace, so we were able to meet up on the train and ride in most of the way together. Katie had never ridden the train before and was very excited to ride on the bottom level of the double decker train.
Upon arriving in New York City, we were met with brutally cold winds and walked briskly up 8th Avenue towards Junior’s, our desired lunch destination. When we made it to the restaurant, no one minded the brief wait. We were just happy to be out of the cold.
Lunch at Junior’s was a very fun experience. As it was only Katie’s second time in the city ever, it was clearly her first time at Junior’s. I know it’s a tourist-y type restaurant, but the food is so good that Grace and I frequent the place like it’s an Applebee’s – not that we don’t go to Applebee’s all the time, but you get the point.
Although Katie did not really like the buffalo chicken fingers, she had a good time talking to the waiter, which made the experience one of the most fun restaurant trips we’ve ever had in the city. Don’t worry, we tipped him well for putting up with her.
To top off the meal (and our thighs), the three of us split a piece of chocolate cake, which was delicious.
Some of the cake fell into my tea though.
After lunch, we braved the cold once again to get tickets for our next show. On February 4, 2010, Grace and I will be seeing Billy Elliot. Neither of us have seen it before and it is the only nominated Best Musical/Best Revival show from last season that we haven’t seen. We just kept putting it off for so long, but now we’re beginning to run out of things to see, so we figured it was time. (My aversion to seeing it has less to do with still being slightly annoyed about the Tony’s and more to do with seriously disliking the movie, I promise. And the reason for why I finally agreed to see it probably has less to do with it being the only thing left and more to do with Will Chase. There, I said it.)
Once the tickets were purchased, we made a bathroom stop at the Marriott before taking Katie on an elevator adventure. She had a lot of fun on the outside elevators, but was giving Grace quite the scare when she began jumping during the descent.
We killed our remaining time in American Eagle and Toys R Us before heading over to the theatre. We almost lost Katie on the way. I thought Katie and Grace were both behind me as I walked quickly to avoid the cold, but it turned out that Katie was actually across the street. Luckily, Grace found her and the two of them met me at the theatre.
Once inside the Booth, we purchased some souvenirs. Grace and I split the poster for our dorm (it will look lovely beside our autographed Bye Bye Birdie one) while I bought myself the “Valium is my favorite color” tee and the program book. I’ve decided that when I see it for the 5th time (it’s going to happen, just wait) I want the “Invisible Girl” one.
We made our way to our seats, located in row H of the mezzanine all the way over on the right side. Shortly before the production began, the ushers announced that the three rows in front of us (which were more or less completely empty) haven’t been sold yet and that everyone could move up after intermission. For act two, we were in row D, same three seats on the end.
The show was incredible, as always. From the first time I saw the show last April, it immediately jumped to my second favorite show, but it’s always been special to me and I know I’m incredibly lucky to have seen it four times.
The cast was wonderful and performing at their very best, giving their all on Aaron Tveit’s final matinee. “Just Another Day” begins with a little extra energy because of the day, and draws the audience in for an amazing show.
“I’m Alive” has always been my favorite song in every rendition of the musical, from the 2005 workshop to off-Broadway to the final Broadway production, but on Sunday, I decided that it is also my favorite part of the show to watch, especially with Aaron as Gabe. The energy of the song is just amazing as I watch him swing around on the stage.
Another stand out moment during last Sunday’s show would be “There’s A World.” This part of the show is different from what I remember, with Diana crying as Gabe sings to her. I’m pretty sure that was added some time after the last time I saw the show, back in July with Kyle Dean Massey as Gabe.
As for act two, the show was stellar from its electrifying beginning to its tear-jerking ending.
Aaron Tveit was spectacular as Gabe, and he remains my favorite in the role (favorite of those I’ve actually seen – see the Ragtime review for thoughts on my real favorite Gabriel). And he even looks like a 17 year old with his really short hair cut (which I think is shorter than the one mentioned in the West Side Story review). From his vocals to his acting, he makes me really love the character, even though I’m still on the fence about just how malicious Gabe might be.
Although I considered her to be my favorite in the earlier workshop versions of the show, Natalie’s development in the final product sets her as my least favorite currently. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not Jennifer Damiano’s biggest fan either, but she did give a great performance during the show. Her vocals are okay, but I think she’s a very talented actress and does a good job of bringing Natalie’s issues to audience so her struggles aren’t overshadowed by Diana’s.
Alice Ripley was great, as always. Although I don’t think she was as mindblowing-ly awesome as she was the first two times I saw the show, I still firmly believe that Tony belongs on her mantle – or wherever it is she keeps it. It’s her acting that’s really wonderful. She’s a talented singer, but her vocals are an acquired taste, in my opinion.
J. Robert Spencer is a wonderful scene stealer and the emotion he brings to the show make me feel so much for Dan. If any character’s story was ripping my heart out, throwing it on the ground, and jumping on it, it would be him. I love every minute of his performance and I think it’s truly important that he plays Dan as he does, because his struggles are just as important as Diana’s.
Louis Hobson as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine is wonderful. I think he’s a really talented vocalist and a great actor as well. In terms of Dr. Madden, I think the way the character is written kind of almost makes him seem like a bad guy, but he’s really just trying to give the psychological perspective on things. I think Louis does a good job with the character and even though he’s trying to do his job as a psychiatrist by recommending ECT and even just by mentioning that psychotherapy works best with medication, Dr. Madden still cares about Diana. He has a heart and truly wants to do anything he can to help his patients.
Henry is my absolute favorite character. Although I was skeptical about the addition of Henry when I was so used to Tweak, I was in love from the very first note of “Perfect For You.” Adam Chanler-Berat is truly perfect in this role and I can’t imagine anyone else as Henry (or even Adam playing another character in another show). Theatrically, he can do no wrong in my eyes. Plus, he’s one of the most adorable actors currently gracing a Broadway stage.
After the show, we left the theatre (I tripped up the steps haha) and went down the stagedoor. We saw there were no barricades, and a few minutes later, a security guard poked his head out and said that no one would be coming out. As much as I love stagedooring, I was secretly happy that we didn’t have to bear the freezing cold temperatures of Shubert Alley for a half hour. Katie was a little bit disappointed that we wouldn’t get the stagedoor experience (as it was her very first show, it also would have been her very first stagedoor), but decided that she would like to see Catch Me If You Can later in the fall so that she can meet Aaron Tveit then (and probably make fun of his pet caterpillar – hey, it’s there).
After chatting with a friend who was there to see the night show, Katie, Grace, and I headed back to Penn Station and caught a NJ transit train back home.
Katie, my musical-hating sister, loved the show. She cites “I’m Alive” as her favorite part and eagerly harassed me about burning the CDs for her when we got home. As mentioned before, she would like to see Catch Me If You Can when it makes a Broadway transfer later in the fall (hopefully). However, the fall is a long way away, so hopefully she will be joining us on another theatre adventure this summer before she goes away to college.
I’ve even caught her singing “I’m Alive” around the house. I’m really glad we finally have something cool in common.
I know it’s been around for a little while at this point, but if you haven’t seen Next to Normal yet and you’re looking for a powerful, original (original? On Broadway? What is that?), and truly wonderful piece of theatre, then give it a chance. Or, even if you have seen it, why not go back and see how Kyle Dean Massey handles the role? Maybe you’ll even get to see an understudy in one of the other tracks. I think I’m the only person I know who actually gets excited to see understudies. I hope not though!
Anyway, if you haven’t seen the show yet, go. You won’t regret it. Just don’t forget to bring some tissues.
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