David Cromer next to normal

[qolbinau]

This has got my attention. More than a year away in Chicago but I wonder if this has the potential to at least match the original production.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/David-Cromer-to-Direct-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-at-Writers-Theatre-Full-Season-Announcement-20180301

[CurtainPullDowner]

With Cromer involved it could be better than the original.

He knows his stuff.

 

[JBroadway]

Having seen The Band’s Visit and the Treasurer (and nothing else of Cromer’s work) I’m imagining a very understated, quiet version of Next to Normal, which would be unusual indeed.

[ohhiccup 2]

Big fan of Cromer, would be very interested in seeing his take on the show!

[darquegk]

Stephen Santa, a director in Pittsburgh, staged a semi-pro production of "Next to Normal" in 2015, and Pittsburgher and n2n veteran Anthony Rapp came to see the show. He was so impressed, he called Kitt and Yorkey and they flew in to see the show. Consensus among many people was that the production may have been better-conceived than the Broadway run.

I wasn't in the show, but I got to review it and two of my keyboards from my instrument collection were rented for the show.

[dramamama611]

Love Cromer.  Can't wait to hear more!

[Owen22]

The greatest Rent I've ever seen was a Cromer directed, traverse staged production in Chicago a couple of years ago.

I love that this Broadway and off-Broadway director (by the time NTN is produced a possibly Tony winning director) still comes back to Chicago to direct second tier regional productions!

[GlindatheGood22]

What do you think of a NY transfer? Not necessarily Broadway. I know it's soon, but we've already had a Spring Awakening revival, and Spring Awakening was only two years older.

[BJR]

I love that this Broadway and off-Broadway director (by the time NTN is produced a possibly Tony winning director) still comes back to Chicago to direct second tier regional productions!"

I had the same thought. He's likely making less than a month's rent for it and gig that pay less don't take less time. It's commendable. I imagine the success of BAND'S VISIT help make it financially possibly, but all the same, how wonderful for the Writers Theatre.

[Call_me_jorge]

Absolutely enjoyed the writers theatre production of parade and I can’t wait for this!

[Kad]

GlindatheGood22 said: "What do you think of a NY transfer? Not necessarily Broadway. I know it's soon, but we've already had a Spring Awakening revival, and Spring Awakening was only two years older."

Pretty unlikely. Cromer is from Chicago and returns there with some regularity to work. He does it because he loves the Chicago theatre community. 

 

[darquegk]

I came here to joke that I’d rather see a David Cronenberg production of Next to Normal, but then I pictured that and I desperately want it now.

More realistically, I’d love a low budget but surreal TV movie version for SyFy, produced by Nick Antosca. I’ve always believed that a film version would ideally lean more towards the uncanny and “genre” elements of the story, and make it a true “magic or mundane” psychological drama-thriller. Antosca does amazing work with Channel Zero, the smartest and artsiest horror show since Twin Peaks.

[Play Esq.]

I’d like to plan a trip to Chicago to coincide with this and CSO’s Aida. I’m not familiar with this company but for those who are, do they generally extend productions? I think this has the makings of being a big hit artistically and financially so I would presume (read: hope) so.

[Fantod]

The Writers’ Theatre is hardly second tier.

[Play Esq.]

Who said that?

[qolbinau]

After the recent Tony success with The Band's Visit it makes the prospect of this exciting. I wonder if they will announce the cast soon?

[qolbinau]

Who is this cast?

Kyrie Courter (Natalie Goodman),Alex Levy (Henry), Liam Oh (Gabe Goodman), Gabriel Ruiz (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine), David Schlumpf (Dan Goodman), and Keely Vasquez (Diana Goodman).

It seems unlikely to me anyone is thinking about a transfer to New York. 

[Alex Kulak2]

I went to college with the guy playing Henry! Great guy, just graduated 2 years ago. Can't wait to see him in it

[KJisgroovy]

Writers casts almost exclusively from Chicago. I can't recall a time they cast a name from out of town or even a freeze-dried regional theater actor. The only time I can think of it at all is for the two Trevors in Trevor... but there was outside money there. This is a solid Chicago cast. 

[Kad]

It was pretty clear from the get-go, at least to me, that this was a strictly Chicago-area production with no eye toward NY. Not everything has to go to NY. Chicago has an extremely vibrant theatre scene all of its own- it's the scene that produced Cromer to begin with.

[Call_me_jorge]

I was hoping Jessie Mueller would make her long awaited return to the Chicago theatre scene as Diana, but after watching this video I’m thriled for Keely! https://youtu.be/adjGg1--NFM

[KJisgroovy]

Writers is a small, thrust theater. Any show done there would have to be completely rethought.

The work Cromer has done when he's back in Chicago has really reveled in the storefront aesthetic Much more in line with his Our Town than anything else.. A Broadway-ready show is the antithesis of what he's done here and I for one am really glad about it! I found his Rent unbelievably moving and deeply personal... and I can still remember the cast making close, intense, and specific eye-contact with everyone in the small audience as they all sang "there's only us/there's only this"  giving the lyrics an immediacy I hadn't really imagined before. 

 

[DrowsyKaye]

Cromer loves Chicago. It's where he honed his craft as a director and the theatre community here is less competitive than that of NY. I for one am often tired of the thought that a production or a piece of theatre hasn't truly "made it" until it has touched New York. Some of the best theatre in the country is happening outside of NY, and some of our best theatermakers are building their careers all over the country. 
I hope the production will be great in it's own right and it has no need to come to NY to validate itself.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Yeah, Writers' Theatre is a top tier Chicago theatre, up there with Chicago Shakespeare, The Goodman, Steppenwolf, etc. They used to be in a small space but they recently opened into a huge multi-million dollar facility.

Interesting approach with the Goodman family members all being different races. Might as well do something "new" with it I guess.

[Call_me_jorge]

Saw this last night. It was only the second preview and it definitely needs a ton of work. More specifically the staging. It’s just very confusing at times and transitions are a bit of a hot mess. I saw it with another poster on here and we both jokingly thought it should be renamed “guess which vom Gabe is going to come out of next.” I thought the performances themselves were amazing, though. It was all so raw. If you’re thinking of seeing this, I’d recommend waiting until it’s frozen. David Cromer was sitting right behind me and the artistic director of the theatre said in his pre show speech that the creative team is still vigorously trying to perfect the production.