Second Stage Theater company does some really innovative, revolutionary work. Most recently, they are producing a new musical titled Next to Normal. The show is a reincarnation of a musical called Feeling Electric which was originally produced at the 2005 NYMF (New York Musical Theater Festival. Get used to that acronym, mmk?) starring Annaleigh Ashford and Anthony Rapp. Interesting casting choices, but I didn’t see that production, so who knows how it went.
The show is about, um, hmm. Hard to explain (especially without giving anything away). It’s sort of about a woman who is bipolar and manic depressive. It’s sort of about her treatments. It’s sort of about her family and how they are affected by her disorder. It’s sort of about the parallels between her and her daughter. It’s sort of about the disintigration of her marriage. And sort of about things that go on in her imagination.
Sound strange? Yeah, the plot definitely gives the title multiple meanings. But here’s the catch with the show: it’s pretty brilliant. The music is written by Tom Kitt, the talented composer behind last years Broadway show High Fidelity. The performances are stellar: Alice Ripley (Side Show), Brian d’Arcy James (Titanic, Wild Party, White Christmas, EVERYTHING), Jennifer Damiano (Spring Awakening), Aaron Tveit (Hairspray), and Adam Chanler-Berat (Les Miz). They were so honest and raw and passionate, you can’t help but be moved by them.
Direction is provided by Michael Greif. With such difficult subject matter, it was important to have a clear vision and creative ways to interpret the material. Who better to do that than Michael? Excellent, excellent direction, very inspiring.
So what have we learned today? Excellent creatives, excellent direction, excellent performances, excellent music. Unfortnately for the show, the bizarre subject matter keeps it from really excelling to the next level. The show is closing next weekend, but I sincerely hope it has a life after this run. Someone needs to see the potential in the show, despite the strange feeling they inevitably have leaving the theater at the end of the night.
The show is about, um, hmm. Hard to explain (especially without giving anything away). It’s sort of about a woman who is bipolar and manic depressive. It’s sort of about her treatments. It’s sort of about her family and how they are affected by her disorder. It’s sort of about the parallels between her and her daughter. It’s sort of about the disintigration of her marriage. And sort of about things that go on in her imagination.
Sound strange? Yeah, the plot definitely gives the title multiple meanings. But here’s the catch with the show: it’s pretty brilliant. The music is written by Tom Kitt, the talented composer behind last years Broadway show High Fidelity. The performances are stellar: Alice Ripley (Side Show), Brian d’Arcy James (Titanic, Wild Party, White Christmas, EVERYTHING), Jennifer Damiano (Spring Awakening), Aaron Tveit (Hairspray), and Adam Chanler-Berat (Les Miz). They were so honest and raw and passionate, you can’t help but be moved by them.
Direction is provided by Michael Greif. With such difficult subject matter, it was important to have a clear vision and creative ways to interpret the material. Who better to do that than Michael? Excellent, excellent direction, very inspiring.
So what have we learned today? Excellent creatives, excellent direction, excellent performances, excellent music. Unfortnately for the show, the bizarre subject matter keeps it from really excelling to the next level. The show is closing next weekend, but I sincerely hope it has a life after this run. Someone needs to see the potential in the show, despite the strange feeling they inevitably have leaving the theater at the end of the night.
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