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Post by intoanewlife on Oct 17, 2022 16:41:26 GMT
Before I join the stampede with the masses to try and get tickets for this, is this any more palatable than Falsettos and Caroline or Change...asking for a friend x I agree with singularsensation10. N2N is a pretty dark and in parts harrowing show. I saw it with Marin Mazzie and her husband playing the leads on Broadway and had to sit quietly for a while after it finished to process what I'd just seen. It's extremely moving, especially for anyone who may have any experiences in common with the narrative. It's also a mostly sung-through rock score, so not one for lovers of traditional MT. It depends really on what sort of MT your friend enjoys, but I'd say there's probably more light and shade in the other two musicals you've mentioned than in this one. Maybe you should play some or all of the score to your friend before booking? To my mind it's not a show where anyone will come out humming the tunes or feeling giddy with MT joy at it's best. I loved it, spent a long time thinking about if afterwards and still listen to the score from time to time (it still makes me well up after all these years). As a side note I think casting could really make or break a show like this. It's both a very demanding score and script. I think whoever is casting the production is going to have their work cut out for them. Please God let it not be not the ubiquitous Jenna Russell in the lead (I'll be offering a pair of freebie tickets on here if that turns out to be the case). Thank you both (I don't know how to double quote lol) for your very thoughtful replies, I have booked my tickets x |
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 17:15:51 GMT
I agree with singularsensation10. N2N is a pretty dark and in parts harrowing show. I saw it with Marin Mazzie and her husband playing the leads on Broadway and had to sit quietly for a while after it finished to process what I'd just seen. It's extremely moving, especially for anyone who may have any experiences in common with the narrative. It's also a mostly sung-through rock score, so not one for lovers of traditional MT. It depends really on what sort of MT your friend enjoys, but I'd say there's probably more light and shade in the other two musicals you've mentioned than in this one. Maybe you should play some or all of the score to your friend before booking? To my mind it's not a show where anyone will come out humming the tunes or feeling giddy with MT joy at it's best. I loved it, spent a long time thinking about if afterwards and still listen to the score from time to time (it still makes me well up after all these years). As a side note I think casting could really make or break a show like this. It's both a very demanding score and script. I think whoever is casting the production is going to have their work cut out for them. Please God let it not be not the ubiquitous Jenna Russell in the lead (I'll be offering a pair of freebie tickets on here if that turns out to be the case). Thank you both (I don't know how to double quote lol) for your very thoughtful replies, I have booked my tickets x As I’ve said throughout this thread, all I really want is people to have the experience. In my opinion it is the most beautiful and moving piece of art across any genre I’ve ever seen. If you hate it I apologise for the recommendation, but this is a show which actually affects people. I can’t think of another piece of musical theatre with as much heart that I’ve seen personally. If you hate it, fair play. I really hope Michael Longhurst treats theintegrity of the piece with the respect it deserves, especially casting wise. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Oct 17, 2022 17:32:29 GMT
Thank you both (I don't know how to double quote lol) for your very thoughtful replies, I have booked my tickets x As I’ve said throughout this thread, all I really want is people to have the experience. In my opinion it is the most beautiful and moving piece of art across any genre I’ve ever seen. If you hate it I apologise for the recommendation, but this is a show which actually affects people. I can’t think of another piece of musical theatre with as much heart that I’ve seen personally. If you hate it, fair play. I really hope Michael Longhurst treats theintegrity of the piece with the respect it deserves, especially casting wise. Would you recommend listening to the score first if it is all sung through as I tend to find shows like that quite dense and a lot to take in upon first viewing? |
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 17:38:02 GMT
As I’ve said throughout this thread, all I really want is people to have the experience. In my opinion it is the most beautiful and moving piece of art across any genre I’ve ever seen. If you hate it I apologise for the recommendation, but this is a show which actually affects people. I can’t think of another piece of musical theatre with as much heart that I’ve seen personally. If you hate it, fair play. I really hope Michael Longhurst treats theintegrity of the piece with the respect it deserves, especially casting wise. Would you recommend listening to the score first if it is all sung through as I tend to find shows like that quite dense and a lot to take in upon first viewing? I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, it is very spoilerific, but if you aren’t fussed about that in my opinion it is one of the best cast recordings produced. It really captures the experience. But if you already know the plot and just want to listen to a really good musical with phenomenal performances it is strongly recommended. I actually first discovered the show when it was playing in Dress Circle, I stopped and asked the (deeply unpleasant and b**chy) middle-aged owner what it was and he said “don’t you know? *sigh* it’s Next to Normal”. He pointed me to the soundtrack CD, I got my phone out to Google what the musical was about, and as soon as I did he said “I think you’ll find *sir* it’s the same price on Amazon”. I put down my basket of CD’s and merch and walked out, and never shopped with them again. |
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Post by intoanewlife on Oct 17, 2022 18:00:57 GMT
Would you recommend listening to the score first if it is all sung through as I tend to find shows like that quite dense and a lot to take in upon first viewing? I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, it is very spoilerific, but if you aren’t fussed about that in my opinion it is one of the best cast recordings produced. It really captures the experience. But if you already know the plot and just want to listen to a really good musical with phenomenal performances it is strongly recommended. I actually first discovered the show when it was playing in Dress Circle, I stopped and asked the (deeply unpleasant and b**chy) middle-aged owner what it was and he said “don’t you know? *sigh* it’s Next to Normal”. He pointed me to the soundtrack CD, I got my phone out to Google what the musical was about, and as soon as I did he said “I think you’ll find *sir* it’s the same price on Amazon”. I put down my basket of CD’s and merch and walked out, and never shopped with them again. Ha! I don't blame you lol Cool, I will just wait and see it live first, thanks! |
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Post by filendile on Oct 17, 2022 18:07:30 GMT
I also forgot but am now booked for a Saturday evening in September. I was lucky enough to catch Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley on Broadway in October 2010, so this has a lot to live up to but I’m excited.
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Post by kathryn on Oct 17, 2022 18:39:36 GMT
Well, that was easy. Lots of availability left for a Saturday matinee in September.
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 19:12:50 GMT
Well, that was easy. Lots of availability left for a Saturday matinee in September. Really hope you enjoy! |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 17, 2022 20:45:34 GMT
Maybe this hasn’t created quite the stampede for tickets we were all expecting?
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 17, 2022 20:50:39 GMT
Got my tickets too for a matinee in September. Really surprised by how easy it was to get tickets, but am very excited!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 21:27:47 GMT
There has to be some kind of opening night pre show drinks for us?
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 22:38:35 GMT
There has to be some kind of opening night pre show drinks for us? @burlybear do we have badges yet? 😂 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 17, 2022 23:03:45 GMT
TheatreBoard badges are a dim and distant memory. The lucky few have them, the rest can only dream!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 17, 2022 23:05:17 GMT
TheatreBoard badges are a dim and distant memory. The lucky few have them, the rest can only dream! Can we make our own from crepe paper and dreams? I’m wary of copyright infringement |
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Post by jaqs on Oct 18, 2022 9:45:51 GMT
Maybe this hasn’t created quite the stampede for tickets we were all expecting? I totally forgot, and just got a great stalls seat. I’ve not booked the Donmar much in recent years but rarely have I managed a stalls seat during public booking. I hope sales pick up. |
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Post by MoreLife on Oct 18, 2022 10:09:24 GMT
Would you recommend listening to the score first if it is all sung through as I tend to find shows like that quite dense and a lot to take in upon first viewing? I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, it is very spoilerific, but if you aren’t fussed about that in my opinion it is one of the best cast recordings produced. It really captures the experience. But if you already know the plot and just want to listen to a really good musical with phenomenal performances it is strongly recommended. I actually first discovered the show when it was playing in Dress Circle, I stopped and asked the (deeply unpleasant and b**chy) middle-aged owner what it was and he said “don’t you know? *sigh* it’s Next to Normal”. He pointed me to the soundtrack CD, I got my phone out to Google what the musical was about, and as soon as I did he said “I think you’ll find *sir* it’s the same price on Amazon”. I put down my basket of CD’s and merch and walked out, and never shopped with them again. The whole anecdote played before my eyes as a scene from the movie, and I could so easily picture it (and hear said owner's slightly condescending tone) - thanks for a good chuckle! I also echo your words about listening to the recording in advance - it does reveal most details of the plot as it's to be expected of a sung-through show, but for anyone who fears missing those details when seeing it live and being exposed to the material for the first time, a good listen may actually add to the experience (even just for the pleasure of discovering how different performers will deliver the same material). |
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Post by theatreliker on Oct 19, 2022 22:34:16 GMT
I know hardly anything about this musical but am intrigued mainly because my wife's a fan of it.
Incidentally, we saw Tom Kitt's new musical Almost Famous in New York last week. It was really entertaining, Jeremy Herrin's production is strong and the lead has a great voice. But it was difficult to know which songs exactly Kitt has written. To put it another way I'm unsure how to measure his work. There are some famous songs in there such as Elton John's Tiny Dancer and Jonie Mitchell's River. There are also some songs from the movie apparently but I haven't seen this. I guess he's orchestrated these?
From the remaining songs I preferred the more musical theatre style ones than the rocky ones. Apart from The Night Time Sky has Nothing on You, not many others stand out.
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Post by Scswp on Oct 20, 2022 16:54:29 GMT
Have purchased my ticket for this - a Thursday matinee in August. It will be exciting to see who is cast.
I saw the OBC. Alice Ripley did give an amazing performance; you really believed in the depth of her illness. It’s quite an ensemble piece, but I think the show pretty much lives or dies by the performance of the actor playing Diana.
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Post by andrew on Oct 20, 2022 22:21:08 GMT
Apparently Diana has been cast, any hints/ideas on who it could be?
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Post by Mark on Oct 20, 2022 23:12:19 GMT
Apparently Diana has been cast, any hints/ideas on who it could be? Caissie Levy has been mentioned multiple times on this thread. |
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Post by Scswp on Nov 3, 2022 9:42:23 GMT
Any news/confirmation on casting?
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Nov 3, 2022 11:29:24 GMT
Won't be for a long while yet I expect.
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Post by danb on Nov 3, 2022 12:32:40 GMT
Apparently Diana has been cast, any hints/ideas on who it could be? Caissie Levy has been mentioned multiple times on this thread. We have any number of amazing age appropriate ladies actively working that would be terrific in this role (the best of which has already played the part!). I’m not sure why they’d go to the expense of hiring from abroad and putting them up for the run? I guess if they’ve cast young elsewhere they need to cast Diana (too) young also. |
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 3, 2022 13:16:18 GMT
She has a working relationship recently with Michael Longhurst so I'm not surprised.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Nov 3, 2022 13:33:02 GMT
Caissie Levy has been mentioned multiple times on this thread. We have any number of amazing age appropriate ladies actively working that would be terrific in this role (the best of which has already played the part!). I’m not sure why they’d go to the expense of hiring from abroad and putting them up for the run? I guess if they’ve cast young elsewhere they need to cast Diana (too) young also. Caissie Levy isn't too young for the role, she's 41 and the show is pretty explicit about Diana having both her kids relatively young, somewhere in her early twenties. I imagine if it is Levy then it's because she and Longhurst already have an established working relationship after Caroline, or Change on Broadway. I think she'd be very good though I agree that it would be nice for a British actor to get the role considering it's the show's premiere here. |
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