Next to Normal?- Page 2

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:46am

Ah. Fair enough. I'll amend it.

[snl89]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:46am

Well, I was fortunate enough not to have a paranoid schizophrenic drug addict as a mother, so I guess I just can't know what N2N was talking about.

More like bipolar and/or manic depressive, which ended up causing hallucinations And actually, let me tell you, I think a lot more people can relate than most people would think. I know I can, at least. Granted my mom wasn't quite as bad off as Diana- okay, not nearly as bad off- but she's certainly struggled with bipolar dissorder and stuff. And my mom's not the only person I know who's struggled with mental illness on some level. It's funny how it's still such a touchy subject, when depression and bipolar is really something that a LOT of people experience. We have no problem going to the doctor and getting help with broken bones, but yet when it comes to very real, treatable mental illness, there's still this estigma around it like everyone who experiences depression is crazy or "messed up" or something. ANYWAY, I'm getting off track and rambly here lol. Basically, my point is, it's a pretty relatable and important issue I think :)

As for the show being tired and hackneyed, what can I say. I was bored senseless. It all felt very very familiar, like a musical version of AMERICAN BEAUTY or an episode of SIX FEET UNDER, it was working very very hard to be very very daring, and I just never felt it for a minute.

C'est la vie.

Alright,I suppose I can respect that a little more now that you explained. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of musical theater and not so much in the realm of TV/movies/etc, where these issues HAVE been more widely explored. But still, I feel like it's very innovative for Broadway.

Updated On: 3/4/08 at 11:46 AM

[Elphie68]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:48am

To be fair, Roscoe did edit out the personal reference to me. So, ok, it's a matter of opinion. Not a problem. Some will like this show and some will not. Not everyone who likes say the more "traditional" musicals (i.e. Oklahoma/South Pacific/Sound of Music...etc) is going to like the more "concept" pieces like RENT, Next to Normal, etc. Fair enough. No one is wrong, people just are attracted to different types of shows.

What I want to stress is that people should at least give these things a chance, even if they seem sort of outside your personal comfort zone. You might find yourself surprised. At it's core, I think theater is to be explored. Don't play it safe.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:52am

And having grown up in a family that was SO normal we're now "dysfunctional" because no one knows what to do with someone from a happy well-balanced family does NOT have to hamper your engagement with the show or its ability to touch you. In no way shape or form does it even remotely resemble my personal family story, but it still hits a nerve and touches me deeply.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:55am

And I edited the post to get the mother's character right.

It isn't that I enjoy only more "traditional" shows. There are traditional shows I like (HAMLET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING), there are traditional shows I detest (OKLAHOMA, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES). There are non-traditional shows I like (SPRING AWAKENING), there are non-traditional shows I detest (GREY GARDENS, N2N).

Right, I agree. Give these things a chance. But giving them a chance doesn't mean that they should be applauded for being lame. I was really hoping that N2N would be worthwhile. It really wasn't.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 12:00pm

^ See, I feel the same way about Spring Awakening as you feel about Next to Normal. Different things touch and move different people in different ways. That's why god made chocolate and vanilla.

edited for clarification

Updated On: 3/4/08 at 12:00 PM

[snl89]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 12:02pm

It isn't that I enjoy only more "traditional" shows. There are traditional shows I like (HAMLET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING), there are traditional shows I detest (OKLAHOMA, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES). There are non-traditional shows I like (SPRING AWAKENING), there are non-traditional shows I detest (GREY GARDENS, N2N).

can I just say, it's kind of interesting: you enjoyed Spring Awakening but not NtN? Not that they're anything alike really over all, but it's just.. I don't know, I feel like the music is fairly in the same realm (not necessarily similar, but just.. same general style) and they're both very... not your typical theater.

Though I guess it seems like there are quite a few people who love NtN and dont like SA, so.. I guess they really do attract different audiences! haha

Updated On: 3/4/08 at 12:02 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 12:03pm

I don't think the plot of N2N is hackneyed nor traditional. Where else have they featured the controversial practice of ECT so heavily?

My objection to the show is the traditional and hackneyed way such a unique subject was treated.

[Elphie68]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 12:09pm

Roscoe,

I wasn't saying you in particular only liked traditional shows. I was just giving an example of possible groups of people who seem to have different tastes. I applaud anyone who at least gives variety a chance. As for being worth it, well, for you it wasn't. And that is totally fine. However, I'm glad that there are those for whom it apparently struck a deep chord, however imperfect it was.

Holla, SNL89, bjh2114 and jordangirl. *g*

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 1:24pm

I have tickets for saturday, i can't wait.
Question, will this be awkward to see with my mother? (She's seen rent with me and that was fine but i would never go with her to say Spring Awakening or Avenue Q... just wondering why i should expect)

[Elphie68]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 1:32pm

Mealz,

To answer your question, I don't think there is anything in this show that would be awkward to see with one's parents. There is tension between the family members and there is much depiction of mental illness. However, unless those are like tricky subjects between you and Mom, I honestly don't think there is an issue.

It does make you consider the state of your relationships though...if that makes any sense. So, if that is uncomfortable, you should be aware.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 1:36pm

okay, no that sounds fine. I just don't know a lot about the show (and am trying to keep it that way since i think that adds something more when you see it) so i didnt know if it had a highly sexual content or whatever (ie spring awakening)

thanks though, I really can't wait.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 1:48pm

Definitely nothing in there that would make me avoid taking my parents to see it. I'd give them a warning about the language because they're kind of prudish that way, but other than that it's definitely parent friendly.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 1:55pm

yeah the only thing that's even remotely objectionable about the show is that the Fword getes dropped about 2 dozen times

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:08pm

There's also the objectionability of the general uselessness of the entire show. Thank God I didn't pay to see it.

[East Village]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:10pm

From what I can decipher from YouTube clips, its look like early recordings of Next to Normal/Feeling Electric started out as a satiric portrait of a family but it has evolved into a much more touching melodrama.

I think there's enough distance in satiric portraits that you aren't necessarily required to delve too specifically into a character's mental life. But that distance goes out the window once you beg the audience to care about the character and her mental illness. And thats where N2N at 2nd Stage falls flat.

The woman's illness makes no sense -- bipolar folks aren't hallucinating. If she is, then she's completely misdiagnosed. And the treatment she receives is only reflective of artificial, hackneyed stage concoctions -- not what would be doled out but even the most perfunctory mental health practitioner.

Those are serious and fairly amateurish flaws that need to be corrected.

Irregardless, Alice Ripley gives one of the most touching performances I can remember. I found a lot to admire in this production. I enjoyed the score and the way they told the tale. The show has found its heart, but its sorely lacking a brain at this point.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:14pm

roscoe, why don't you shut the **** up like forever, nothing you have to say is useful or interesting, TO ANYONE. You prove OVER AND OVER again by your posts that you have possibly the WORST taste in musical theatre of anyone to ever call themself a fan of musical theatre. just go away, somewhere dark and secluded.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:17pm

I may just be playing devil's advocate here, but I have to wonder if the medical technicalities aren't intended to be realistic. It just doesn't seem right for the show to have gone through such a long development process and still arrived with such inaccuracies if it was meant to be realistic. I think, especially given the fact that the idea of the son's presence is a bit supernatural on its own, there's an element of asking you to suspend your disbelief.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:20pm

I think you've got it right emcee. There is an OBVIOUS hint of supernaturalness.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:22pm

Liverpool---

No. I will not just go away somewhere dark and secluded. I am as allowed to post on why I detest something as others are to continually post over and over again about how joyous and perfect they think something is.

Don't like what I write? Don't read it.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:26pm

only you seem to detest anything that is int he slightest way good. and if you keep posting in threads im posting its hard to not read your so called posts.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:31pm

"only you seem to detest anything that is int he slightest way good. and if you keep posting in threads im posting its hard to not read your so called posts."

Gosh. So we disagree. Goodness gracious me and mine. I guess I must change my notions of quality to conform to your standards.

Okay.

Here goes:

NEXT TO NORMAL is a masterwork. It will outlast Shakespeare and The Bible. The acting was of the highest imaginable standard, and the music has been known to cure cancer. Glory Hallelujah, NEXT TO NORMAL must be seen and admired by all sentient beings.

Happy now, Liver?

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:36pm

no, sadly, you're still here.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:40pm

But I just said that NEXT TO NORMAL is the greatest achievement in the entire history of human endeavor. Being in the theatre itself has been shown to restore eyesight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. The aisles are littered with canes and wheelchairs cast away by those who have been rendered able to walk again by this astonishing miracle of a show.

See NEXT TO NORMAL! Your very soul's salvation depends upon it!

[Elphie68]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:40pm

Hey East Village,

I understand what you say. However, I hasten to point out that I'm pretty sure they avoid saying EXACTLY what Diana's illness is. Yes, she has some of the classic signs of manic depression, but that's not necessarily the only illness she could have. So, I don't think we should get too wrapped up in whether the handling of the medical aspect is entirely "realistic". I think she could have manic depression, schizophrenia or any number of maladies. And whatever that underlying problem, the "event" the family experiences compounds it because she can't properly process her feelings. I think the finer point they are trying to make is that psychology/psychiatry is not an exact science. People get misdiagnosed. And sometimes the trial and error with treatmens gets um insane.