Review Roundup: NEXT TO NORMAL National Tour

The startling new musical Next to Normal, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, launched a national tour at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre on November 23.  The show moved on to Denver on January 4, where it is currently playing at Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

Alice Ripley, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for next to normal, will reprise her acclaimed performance in the musical's engagement in Denver. next to normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen (Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry). Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards - Best Score, Best Actress in a Musical, and Best Orchestrations - next to normal features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by Michael Greif. With a thrilling contemporary score, next to normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.

For more information on next to normal, visit www.NextToNormal.com 

Charles McNulty, LA Times: The production dominates the performers more than it did in New York. Some intimacy is lost at the Ahmanson and the blare of the staging, presumably pumped up to fill the theater's acoustical dead space, had me reaching into my medicine cabinet when I returned home.

Bob Verini, Variety: But there's no denying the ferocity and emotional precision of the cast, beginning with husky-voiced Ripley and that unearthly, unforced vibrato seeming to emanate right from the diaphragm to bypass the larynx entirely. Casual quips masking her anguish, holding back the floodgates until -- like MAdam Rose at the end of "Gypsy" -- she has to let 'er rip, this is a classic musical comedy performance of unconventional musical drama fixings.

Juliet Wittman, Westword: Still, for a long time, next to normal avoids the pitfalls. The protagonist, Diana, played with charm and strength by Alice Ripley, is smart, unself-pitying and self-aware. The script and lyrics are smart, too, and thoughtful, with soul-restoring moments of humor.

Deb Flomberg, The Examiner: next to normal will challenge you to think and will bring up some very tough issues. Not many musicals deal with topics such as depression, bipolar disorder, loss, psychiatric ethics, drug abuse and suicide. However, just because these are tough themes doesn't mean they can't get the rock musical treatment. next to normal is well deserving of your time, you won't "enjoy" it exactly - but you will be glad you went.

Jason Kehe, NeonTommy: The powerful subtlety of the ending is slightly vitiated by a rousing final song, but without it, we might never recover from this emotional ride. After the inevitable standing ovation, exhaustion sets in, but not a fatiguing exhaustion. It's the kind that feels well-earned and triumphant - the exhaustion of being alive.  

Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld.com: The cast is outstanding with all reports on Alice Ripley's performance resoundingly true. She is brilliant and engaging throughout. She never crumples, remaining a fiercely strong woman at every stage. 

Greg Rice, BroadwayWorld.com: I can say that upon listening to most of it again, after seeing the show, I can appreciate it a bit more. A most wonderful thing to see at the performance I attended was the Denver audience. This show, without any special effects or "anthem" songs, had the audience in the palm of its hand. You could feel it in the theater. 
 

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