Latest Headlines View More Articles

Photos: Herdlicka, Sieber and More Star in CANDIDE in Atlanta

Ken Fallin Draws - Condola Rashad in SAINT JOAN

Check Out Gaten Matarazzo & Darren Criss on DROP THE MIC

« Back to the Message Board

Print

E-Mail

Subscribe

Next To Normal or Hair?

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

Next To Normal or Hair?#1
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:13pm

I will be in NYC in September. I'm already seeing West Side Story. I only have time for one more show. Should I see Next To Normal or Hair and why?

WiCkEDrOcKS

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:6/13/04

Broadway Legend
joined:
6/13/04

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#2
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:17pm

I love both to death but I'd have to go with HAIR.

It's timely, it's one of the best productions I've probably ever seen, it's by far the best show on Broadway right now IMO, and it features a kickass cast. Plus it's TONS of fun...and really moving as well.

N2N is fantastic but it's a downer. But it's an important piece of theater, for sure. Either way, you can't really lose, but I say go with HAIR.

Current Avatar: Cynthia Erivo, bringing down the house in The Color Purple.

Updated On: 6/18/09 at 11:17 PM

adamgreer

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:3/18/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
3/18/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#2
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:18pm

Skip West Side Story and see both. You'll be much happier.

My name is neither "adam" nor "greer."

ashley0139

Broadway Legend
joined:1/3/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
1/3/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#3
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:18pm

Skip West Side and see Hair and Next to Normal.

If you can't to that, I'd say Next to Normal only because it's an original show in its original incarnation. It's absolutely brilliant and Alice is giving the performance of a lifetime.

But seriously. See N2N and Hair and skip West Side.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

Updated On: 6/18/09 at 11:18 PM

Bettyboy72

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:3/31/06

Broadway Legend
joined:
3/31/06

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#4
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:18pm

Next To Normal...you need to see Alice Ripley in this role. It's a once in a lifetime performance that will not be duplicated by anyone on a tour or her replacement.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#5
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:20pm

I already have tickets bought for West Side Story.

WishingOnlyWounds2

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:9/25/08

Broadway Legend
joined:
9/25/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#6
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:20pm

I agree with adamgreer, skip WSS and see both.

If you can't... next to normal

2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot

lakezurich

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:11/1/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
11/1/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#7
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:21pm

Oooooo... this is truly a tough call. I saw both when I was in NYC a few months ago, and both were FANTASTIC. But I liked HAIR a little bit better. It will be a long time before I see a production as good as HAIR. That being said no matter which show you pick you will have a great time.

Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!

"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"

lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical

ljay889

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:8/4/04

Broadway Legend
joined:
8/4/04

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#8
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:21pm

They already have tickets to WSS. way to read.

Bettyboy72

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:3/31/06

Broadway Legend
joined:
3/31/06

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#9
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:22pm

They could EASILY sell the WSS tickets and maybe even make a profit. :)

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#10
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:24pm

Even though I have read my fair share of negative posts about West Side Story, I am very excited to see it because I LOVE Karen Olivo.

WiCkEDrOcKS

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:6/13/04

Broadway Legend
joined:
6/13/04

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#11
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:25pm

Olivo is really the only reason to see WEST SIDE. And Scaglione, I suppose. But if you love Olivo, you will NOT be let down. She's fantastic.

Current Avatar: Cynthia Erivo, bringing down the house in The Color Purple.

lakezurich

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:11/1/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
11/1/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#12
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:26pm

I had a good time at West Side Story. Sure, the current revival has its flaws, but it was a great night of theatre nonetheless.

Pianolin717

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:9/22/08

Broadway Legend
joined:
9/22/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#13
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:27pm

Olivo isn't the only reason to see this and only you can be the judge on whether you like it or not. She is def a huge highlight, but not the only reason to see the show.

ljay889

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:8/4/04

Broadway Legend
joined:
8/4/04

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#14
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:27pm

" But if you love Olivo, you will NOT be let down. She's fantastic. "

- Totally agree.

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#15
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:27pm

Is there audience participation required in Hair? I thought I heard something about this earlier this week. If so, I am not into this at all.

TalkinLoud

Broadway Legend
joined:3/3/09

Broadway Legend
joined:
3/3/09

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#16
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:28pm

No audience participation, but lots of audience interaction. But it's well done and not cheesy like it sometimes is.

Hair would be my choice, hands down.

Updated On: 6/18/09 at 11:28 PM

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#17
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:32pm

Audience interaction is cool. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

heo1128

Broadway Star
joined:7/9/08

Broadway Star
joined:
7/9/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#18
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:36pm

Id vote for Next to Normal. Hair will be around for a long time, next to normal has a short shelf life.

pushdabutton

Broadway Legend
joined:12/2/05

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/2/05

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#19
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:44pm

I was honestly leaning more towards Next To Normal because I don't think it will be around as long as Hair. I will be in NYC again in November/December and I think the chances of Hair still playing is better than Next To Normal. I really appreciate and value the opinions of all the great people on this board that have taken the time to answer my post.

heo1128

Broadway Star
joined:7/9/08

Broadway Star
joined:
7/9/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#20
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:46pm

^If you'll be back in the early winter, definitely go with NtN this time around. I bet it'll be gone by October.

WiCkEDrOcKS

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:6/13/04

Broadway Legend
joined:
6/13/04

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#21
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:48pm

Well, that I agree with. If you're coming back in the late fall, go with N2N.

HAIR isn't going anywhere any time soon. But be sure not to miss it.

Although one wonders if the replacement cast will be as excellent as the current cast.

Current Avatar: Cynthia Erivo, bringing down the house in The Color Purple.

yay_gerb

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:12/7/08

Broadway Legend
joined:
12/7/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#22
Posted: 6/18/09 at 11:52pm

I'd go with Hair. N2N is great if you do decide to pick that, but Hair is so powerful especially in it's message, as compared to N2N which is more mind-blowing(story and performance wise). Both have incredible performers. Most people I talk to say they all LOVED Hair, but i'd say about 70% of them liked N2N. N2N is more lifetime movie-like(not in a bad way, it's one of those really good ones that you tell all your friends about) and Hair is more of an experience or a journey with a bunch of really fun people. Both give you alot to take in. Hair is alot(yea that's right human spell checkers, i said ALOT) more fun. N2N is alot more "OMG i'm going to cry my eyes out". Everyone has their preferences. Just trying to give as many comparisons as i can to help you pick. Both are really freakin' incredible.

BROADWAY IMPACT!
TAKE ACTION! EQUALITY!
http://www.broadwayimpact.com/

WishingOnlyWounds2

Profile

Broadway Legend
joined:9/25/08

Broadway Legend
joined:
9/25/08

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#23
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:02am

gerb, I have been wanting to tell you for weeks and I just can't hold it in anymore.

I mean no offense to Will but your avatar reminds me of Tarzan when he is learning "how to be civilized."

alightinthedark23

Profile

Broadway Star
joined:6/13/09

Broadway Star
joined:
6/13/09

re: Next To Normal or Hair?#24
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:05am

I would definitely do 'Next to Normal'. It's a show unlike any other.

"It's about the Benjamins, not the Bernsteins."-CapnHook

« Back to the Message Board