Next to Normal and a very important lesson.

Wow. I’m so ashamed of the long period of time I didn’t keep up with this blog. I really wanted to stick with it regularly, but I started working full time and completely got caught up in life. But I’m back I promise. My oh my so much has happened on Broadway since the last time I put my fingers to the keyboard. The highs and lows of awards season, openings, closings, I have missed out on sharing so many thoughts. So what has awakened me from my blogging slumber? Well for one, guilt lol, and the fact that this weekend I was lucky enough to go up to The Great White Way and see Next to Normal.
When I heard, a while ago, about a new musical which tackled the issue of bipolar depression, I, like many, was skeptical. I am very much used to the idea that musicals are a fun happy medium where heroes and heroines burst into triumphant ecstatic songs that make you leave the theatre with an 1000 watt smile. Musicals that deviate too much from that idea are usually not so much my cup of tea. For instance, I enjoyed Spring Awakening, but it definitely isn’t my favorite. I’m not a big Rent fan either. That being said, I respect both work highly, they just aren’t my favorites. These were two musicals that Next to Normal were being compared to early on, so, as I said, I remained skeptical.
As discussed in an earlier post about my favorite actors on broadway, I have a deep love for (read: obsession with) Kyle Dean Massey. So when he took over the role of Gabe, I was mildly intrigued. Then he started rolling out his video blogs for broadway.com, and slowly I began to open my eyes. The melodies that played in the opening of the blog and on the advertisements for the show started getting stuck in my head, soon thereafter I got a hold of the soundtrack and began to listen. I took all of the minute and a half that “Everything Else” lasts for me to begin to completely fall in love with the beautiful music. I remember being shocked that n2n managed to beat Elton John and Dolly Parton for Best Score during the 2009 Tonys. I had thought that Sir Elton had that one in the bag. It was no longer a mystery how such a little show managed to overthrow the big production of Billy Elliot/Elton John.
From there the love grew and grew until I knew I absolutely HAD to see the show and this weekend I was finally able to run away, for a much needed one day vacation to see it.
Let me start by saying that the new cast is absolutely beautiful. I, like almost everyone it seems, was tentative to see a new face in the role that Alice Ripley had embodied masterfully. I was sad that she departed before I could see her live , but I had already “seen” her, unofficially, through means that only the most ardent theatre fans know of. ;) So at the same time I felt extremely fortunate to also see someone new and fresh. (and of course I will be seeing Alice when she comes to the KenCen next summer, so best of both worlds). Marin Mazzie’s take on Diana is much more subtle than Alice manic/neurotic/hilarious portrayal. But it worked well. She was very anguished and you could tell she was very torn between her family and her son, and you could feel her soul being tortured. Vocally she was fantastic, though she needs just a little bit more time to settle into the role, but that is to be expected. Her chemistry with Jason Daniely, was terrific, as expected since they are not only married on stage, but in real life as well.
Jason was brilliant as Dan. His vocals were absolutely spectacular from beginning to end. I also thought that he added a little more dimension to Dan. He showed Dan as a man very much in love with his wife, but very much angry at her illness/visions of Gabe. He was a broken man who was constantly at battle with the two feelings. He was marvelous.
Natalie is by far my favorite role in the show, and definitely up there as one of my dream roles if I miraculously grew some vocal chords overnight. I love her sardonic humor, her sassy line deliveries, and the heart and vulnerability she tries so hard to hide. Jenn Damiano played her wonderfully and this was the role I was mostly afraid would be at all changed with the cast change. I had heard from several people that Meghann Fahy chose to play the role more innocently than Jenn, and that had made me nervous. What those reviewers had said were true, but Meghann Fahy certainly made sure to keep that sharp sarcastic sass that makes me love Natalie so much. In addition to that she, at the same time, made Natalie much more vulnerable than Jenn did, which I loved. Loved. Loved. Im still trying to decide but I think I may have also like Meghanns vocals more than Jenn’s but its very close, they are both spectacular.
Kyle Dean Massey, what can I say, lived up to my already very high expectations. He was dashing, devilish, and his cool presence as Gabe made it completely understandable why Diana would be devoted to and persuaded by his spirit. His voice is SO good. He has that clear quality that just makes me want to hear him sing forever. His rendition of I’m Alive was probably my favorite part of the show due to the combination of his power, talent, and the exciting lights and electricity that emanated from the stage.
Adam and Louis were terrific as usual in their roles of Henry and Dr. Fine/Madden. Though, in the very beginning Adam seemed worn out. But he perked up just in time for “Perfect for You” and was terrific for the duration of the show. Overall, the show was even more amazing that I thought it would be. Wicked will always be my favorite, but this show comes very very close and is the most beautiful piece of theatre I have had the privilege of viewing.
I want to take a moment to apologize to Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, the musical theatre gods and anyone else for ever doubting such a beautiful show. Next to Normal has taught me a very important lesson to never underestimate the power of musical theatre. <3