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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2022 21:48:33 GMT
Ok, lovely to see all the enthusiasm about it but for those of us who haven’t seen this and don’t know much about it, please tell us why we should be excited?
I don't share as much enthusiasm as some here, but the show features a plot line that rarely gets musicalized and some beautiful songs, the most memorable for me being I Miss the Mountains.
Ripley drew a lot of attention for her Broadway performance (and ran her voice ragged out during the run). Aaron Tveit also got a lot of acclaim.
I find it to be a solid show, but nothing groundbreaking.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Oct 10, 2022 22:01:11 GMT
I love this musical but I think a large part of that is nostalgia. It's not aged super well imo and I'm not sure how much a newcomer to the show will connect with it. In its exploration of mental health it may have been ground-breaking for musical theatre at the time (and considering the quality of musicals that have attempted to tackle similar issues since it may still be groundbreaking but that is less a point in this show's favour than it is a failing of these newer shows), but it feels pretty dated now and some of its messaging is pretty muddled and potentially misguided.
There are also some real clunkers in the lyrics ("I'm a bullet from a magic gun" anyone?) but it's also very heartfelt and raw and there are some really incredible moments in the show. With the right cast and direction it can be great but I don't think the material is as strong as some believe.
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Post by singingbird on Oct 10, 2022 22:20:59 GMT
I love this musical but I think a large part of that is nostalgia. It's not aged super well imo and I'm not sure how much a newcomer to the show will connect with it. In its exploration of mental health it may have been ground-breaking for musical theatre at the time (and considering the quality of musicals that have attempted to tackle similar issues since it may still be groundbreaking but that is less a point in this show's favour than it is a failing of these newer shows), but it feels pretty dated now and some of its messaging is pretty muddled and potentially misguided. There are also some real clunkers in the lyrics ("I'm a bullet from a magic gun" anyone?) but it's also very heartfelt and raw and there are some really incredible moments in the show. With the right cast and direction it can be great but I don't think the material is as strong as some believe. In many ways I'd agree with you here. That said, I'm still excited that it's finally getting a UK premiere, although it feels a bit like it was very much 'of its moment' and that moment has passed a bit now. Nevertheless, I just feel happy whenever 'serious' musicals get staged here, because it's happened very rarely in the last few years. Happily, places like the Almeida and Donmar suddenly seem to be programming more musical theatre again!
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Post by inthenose on Oct 10, 2022 22:25:27 GMT
I love this musical but I think a large part of that is nostalgia. It's not aged super well imo and I'm not sure how much a newcomer to the show will connect with it. In its exploration of mental health it may have been ground-breaking for musical theatre at the time (and considering the quality of musicals that have attempted to tackle similar issues since it may still be groundbreaking but that is less a point in this show's favour than it is a failing of these newer shows), but it feels pretty dated now and some of its messaging is pretty muddled and potentially misguided. There are also some real clunkers in the lyrics ("I'm a bullet from a magic gun" anyone?) but it's also very heartfelt and raw and there are some really incredible moments in the show. With the right cast and direction it can be great but I don't think the material is as strong as some believe. She may have been slightly under the influence at the time of spewing forth that little gem. I think the lyrics are generally superb. I’m glad they cut “Costco” and “Feeling Electric” from the original Off-Broadway tryout production though, the lyrics in those songs were dreadful. “Costco Costco, where the lonely and lost go…”. *Shudder*
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2022 23:14:44 GMT
“Costco Costco, where the lonely and lost go…”. *Shudder* But you never may know when two of the lonely and lost might simultaneously reach for a food sample at Costco and find true love ... or at least a great deal on frozen mini quiches.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Oct 11, 2022 3:19:58 GMT
Apparently a wickedly talented MT icon was approached but decided not to take it on. If they were casting a Brit I said it should be Jo or Waddingham to friends. Jo looks great for her age, reads younger and I'd loveee to see her take on a role like this. Waddingham would have been amazing too and the show would have most likely transferred. Again let’s be realistic. Jo Riding does not have the vocal range for this role. Hannah Waddingham does , but I don’t see her dropping her US career to do this right now
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Post by showtoones on Oct 11, 2022 4:08:16 GMT
Apparently a wickedly talented MT icon was approached but decided not to take it on. If they were casting a Brit I said it should be Jo or Waddingham to friends. Jo looks great for her age, reads younger and I'd loveee to see her take on a role like this. Waddingham would have been amazing too and the show would have most likely transferred. Idina would have killed it
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Post by shownut on Oct 11, 2022 6:10:45 GMT
My dreamcasting would be Clare Burt as Diana.
She would nail it.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 11, 2022 8:15:56 GMT
Having just seen this in Barcelona with Alice Ripley I personally think the show resonates just as well now as it did when it was first mounted (which I also saw on Broadway several times). The show has ALWAYS had clunky lyrics and a few questionable themes around mental health even at the time (though many other issues around mental health were and are still done well - it’s clear they have had professional input into the script). No need to miss the forest from the trees though. The audience will be weeping through Light, I am sure. .
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Post by jaggy on Oct 11, 2022 9:57:30 GMT
Apparently a wickedly talented MT icon was approached but decided not to take it on. If they were casting a Brit I said it should be Jo or Waddingham to friends. Jo looks great for her age, reads younger and I'd loveee to see her take on a role like this. Waddingham would have been amazing too and the show would have most likely transferred. Again let’s be realistic. Jo Riding does not have the vocal range for this role. Hannah Waddingham does , but I don’t see her dropping her US career to do this right now Neither of them are doing it. This was just a fan casting. The person who is doing it isn’t British. I saw Jo in Gypsy and she has a very very good belt but she’d probably need the keys altered. Yes, Waddingham is too busy in the states reaping the benefits from her Emmy win and it’s lovely to see. I imagine she’ll return to the stage just not anytime soon.
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Post by jaggy on Oct 11, 2022 10:03:41 GMT
Apparently a wickedly talented MT icon was approached but decided not to take it on. If they were casting a Brit I said it should be Jo or Waddingham to friends. Jo looks great for her age, reads younger and I'd loveee to see her take on a role like this. Waddingham would have been amazing too and the show would have most likely transferred. Idina would have killed it I get so excited just thinking about it. Such a shame she didn’t want to do it but I can see why. Everyone would have gone nuts if it was her.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 11, 2022 10:19:05 GMT
Is there any chance Alice Ripley could come back again?
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Post by inthenose on Oct 11, 2022 11:00:38 GMT
Idina would’ve been amazing.
Caissie Levy, if it indeed is her, really looks like Diana.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 11, 2022 11:21:46 GMT
Caissie Levy? Canadian working in Broadway and London I’m pretty sure it’s her. She is following both the Donmar, the casting director and the artistic director. Her most recent like was the Donmar’s tweet announcing the show. I’ll do a few more checks and ask people who might know, but I feel quite confident it’s her. Also, it may have been mentioned, but she did just work with the director on Broadway in Caroline, or Change. I mean, that would also explain why she could be following the news. But it all makes sense.
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Post by actorsinger on Oct 11, 2022 12:30:09 GMT
Beside myself at this news. Saw it on Broadway years ago with the late great Marin Mazzie and her husband Jason Daniely. They were amazing. We’ve got a few couples here that could do it, the most obvious being Rosalie and Hadley, but also maybe Caroline Sheen and Michael Jibson or Celinde Schoenmaker and Richard Fleeshman.
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Post by JJShaw on Oct 11, 2022 13:41:54 GMT
Beside myself at this news. Saw it on Broadway years ago with the late great Marin Mazzie and her husband Jason Daniely. They were amazing. We’ve got a few couples here that could do it, the most obvious being Rosalie and Hadley, but also maybe Caroline Sheen and Michael Jibson or Celinde Schoenmaker and Richard Fleeshman. Ooh Rosalie and Hadley, always a luxury casting with either one of them, let alone both! (Monthly plea to please bring back city of angels, even if its a concert one night staging that is recorded like the used to do in the US quite often!!)
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 11, 2022 14:16:05 GMT
Hadley is the ideal person to play Dan
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Post by inthenose on Oct 11, 2022 14:17:20 GMT
Hadley is the ideal person to play Dan Yes please!
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 11, 2022 14:20:05 GMT
Would also love to see someone like Grace Mouat as Natalie.
I have no suggestions for Gabe though - we don't have an Aaron Tveit equivalent (plenty of pretty boys who can sing, but without an ounce of charisma)
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Post by inthenose on Oct 11, 2022 14:36:17 GMT
Would also love to see someone like Grace Mouat as Natalie. I have no suggestions for Gabe though - we don't have an Aaron Tveit equivalent (plenty of pretty boys who can sing, but without an ounce of charisma) I suspect both will be fresh recent grads or even final year students. I also think the doctors will be female. Just hunches.
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Post by alece10 on Oct 11, 2022 15:15:43 GMT
I'm half way through the OBC and really enjoying the music. It has 37 songs so don't know if they are all in the show as that seems a lot but even better if so as I love a musical with more music than dialogue. As I mentioned earlier I was aware of the musical but knew nothing about it or the music, however I now realise I know one song "I'm Alive" as its on Aaron Tveit's concert album that I listen often. So i think I will be joining the bun fight to get tickets.
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Post by juicy_but_terribly_drab on Oct 11, 2022 15:52:29 GMT
I'm half way through the OBC and really enjoying the music. It has 37 songs so don't know if they are all in the show as that seems a lot but even better if so as I love a musical with more music than dialogue. As I mentioned earlier I was aware of the musical but knew nothing about it or the music, however I now realise I know one song "I'm Alive" as its on Aaron Tveit's concert album that I listen often. So i think I will be joining the bun fight to get tickets. There are very minor changes from the OBCR to the actual show (and when I say very I mean it, it's like 1 or 2 lines) and the show is almost sung-through, there's very little dialogue. As far as I remember, all the songs on the recording are in the show unless they plan to make cuts.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 11, 2022 16:17:36 GMT
Beyond some very very minor changes to the lyrics that I think you are probably referring to (so small that I can barely even remember them), the other main differences from the OBCR to the actual show if I recall:
* "Just Another Day" actually misses the complete opening lines where Diana is sitting in her chair and sees Gabe come home late at night ("It's the seventh night this week I've sat will morning..."). Plus the entire middle section has been cut on the recording where they sing the 'only hurt' lines first with some underscoring while they are all in the kitchen together before it repeats again more energetically (which is on the recording). The opening number is much more satisfying on stage than on the recording in my opinion, with the total section running for over 6 minutes if I recall
* In "I'm Alive" during the Broadway run they started doing the note at the end of the song (I'm ALIVEEEEE) an Octave Higher. On stage whether they sing this note or not seems to depend mainly on the capability of the singer as I've seen it done both ways in various productions
* There is a reprise of "How Could I Ever Forget" if I recall correctly sung by Dan Straight after Diana sings it, which is quite emotional and sorely missed from the recording
* In "Light" Gabe sings a very rousing high note for SHINEEEEE that is missing from the recording (usually always sung on stage now from what I've seen).
Overall, the recording though is pretty close to what you'd see on stage and a nearly perfect representation of the show (but without the full context and visible acting you won't really get the full experience until you see it live - the emotions that came from Alice Ripley and Marin Mazzie were just next level).
Just an amazing, amazing, amazing show.
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Post by inthenose on Oct 11, 2022 17:11:43 GMT
There are some short dialogue scenes, always working towards the next banging tune. For example Natalie/Dan/Henry before and after “It’s Gonna Be Good”, between Natalie and Henry in the rehearsal room - just bits and pieces to join the story together.
I think the cast recording is absolutely superb though and very complete generally. I adore this show.
And for once one of my tips came off! (kinda)
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 11, 2022 20:57:50 GMT
Really excited for this, but know that I will not be able to get tickets!
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Post by apubleed on Oct 11, 2022 21:01:28 GMT
Urgh the hype about tickets is getting me nervous. Will it really be that bad?
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Oct 11, 2022 21:11:57 GMT
Again let’s be realistic. Jo Riding does not have the vocal range for this role. Hannah Waddingham does , but I don’t see her dropping her US career to do this right now If both Alice Ripley and Marin Mazzie can be cast as Diana, how does Jo Riding not have the vocal range for it?
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Post by showtoones on Oct 11, 2022 21:45:30 GMT
Urgh the hype about tickets is getting me nervous. Will it really be that bad? You may want to invest in a membership? I did that for Tammy Faye and it took all of the stress out of it. If I would have logged in and been in an hour queue, i would have been crazed LOL
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Post by zephyrus on Oct 11, 2022 22:02:17 GMT
Urgh the hype about tickets is getting me nervous. Will it really be that bad? No. Getting tickets for Othello at the Donmar starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor was stressful; I'd be extremely surprised if a production of Next to Normal which doesn't open for 10 months, and has no casting announced, is going to sell out by lunchtime on the first day of public booking.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 12, 2022 6:56:27 GMT
Is there also a max number of tickets you can buy in a time period? Eg like telecharge in NYC. Want to try and go a few times.
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