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violet_angel) wrote2009-04-16 07:13 am
violet_angel) wrote2009-04-16 07:13 am
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Talk about a love letter!!!
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2008-2009 theatre season in NYC just got a little more interesting. Perhaps Billy Elliot's assumed position could have a legitimate challenger?
next to normal opened last night at the Booth Theatre to mostly RAVE reviews!
Exhibit A: Ben Brantley's review in The New York Times.
For the first time in my life I would love to give Brantley a huge hug and a kiss. Reviews don't come any better than that!
I was there at the performance last night, and it was a dream come true. Literally.
I can remember sitting towards the back and on the side of 2econd Stage theatre in New York, knowing the vaguest of details about the story, and being captivated from the first moments of the show. I am not one who gives standing ovations easily. I have even been known to be the only one to not stand, even if I'm in the front row, if I don't feel a show deserves it. While I will applaud the efforts made, you have to do something special to make me stand. You have to touch me, to move me, to captivate me. For the first time in possibly my entire theatre-going life, I did not even hesitate. I was on my feet as soon as the stage lights went down. That was a Friday night. I went back on Sunday. And many more times. I was at closing of the off-Broadway run, and no one knew what was coming next.
Then a run at Arena Stage in DC was announced. As were two cast member changes. The role of Dan would be played by J. Robert Spencer as Brian d'Arcy James had signed on for the role of Shrek. Louis Hobson replaced Asa Somers in the dual roles of Diana's doctors. I'll admit, I had my reservations at first, but within moments of seeing them on stage in Crystal City, VA they had won me over. Changes were made to the book and score ~ changes that were for the better and that transformed what in a lot of people's eyes was an "average" musical into something that had the potential to be great ~ groundbreaking in the style of Rent or Spring Awakening if given the chance. Several trips to DC and lots of performances later, I was in the front row at the closing of the Arena Stage run. We knew that a cast recording was happening, but no one knew for sure what else the future held for this little musical.
And then came February 17 and the announcement that yes, this little show was in fact coming to Broadway. The first preview came on March 27. A few tweaks to the book and score that only tightened tings more and that brought us to last night.
April 15, 2009.
I'll admit it. When we heard the opening strings, my heart skipped a beat. And when we heard the drumbeat that signaled the black out, I was crying with happiness and pride. Even from the last row of the mezzanine, you could feel the magic in the Booth. I can't speak for the orchestra, but the entire mezzanine was on their feet before the last chords ended, and I was full-out sobbing by then.
I know the phrase gets tossed around a LOT, but it literally was a dream come true. And then to come home and find Brantley's love letter of a review... It just topped it all. I am so proud of all the cast and creative. They totally deserve this recognition!
Get your tickets now folks! This little show just got a little bigger and brighter.
next to normal opened last night at the Booth Theatre to mostly RAVE reviews!
Exhibit A: Ben Brantley's review in The New York Times.
For the first time in my life I would love to give Brantley a huge hug and a kiss. Reviews don't come any better than that!
I was there at the performance last night, and it was a dream come true. Literally.
I can remember sitting towards the back and on the side of 2econd Stage theatre in New York, knowing the vaguest of details about the story, and being captivated from the first moments of the show. I am not one who gives standing ovations easily. I have even been known to be the only one to not stand, even if I'm in the front row, if I don't feel a show deserves it. While I will applaud the efforts made, you have to do something special to make me stand. You have to touch me, to move me, to captivate me. For the first time in possibly my entire theatre-going life, I did not even hesitate. I was on my feet as soon as the stage lights went down. That was a Friday night. I went back on Sunday. And many more times. I was at closing of the off-Broadway run, and no one knew what was coming next.
Then a run at Arena Stage in DC was announced. As were two cast member changes. The role of Dan would be played by J. Robert Spencer as Brian d'Arcy James had signed on for the role of Shrek. Louis Hobson replaced Asa Somers in the dual roles of Diana's doctors. I'll admit, I had my reservations at first, but within moments of seeing them on stage in Crystal City, VA they had won me over. Changes were made to the book and score ~ changes that were for the better and that transformed what in a lot of people's eyes was an "average" musical into something that had the potential to be great ~ groundbreaking in the style of Rent or Spring Awakening if given the chance. Several trips to DC and lots of performances later, I was in the front row at the closing of the Arena Stage run. We knew that a cast recording was happening, but no one knew for sure what else the future held for this little musical.
And then came February 17 and the announcement that yes, this little show was in fact coming to Broadway. The first preview came on March 27. A few tweaks to the book and score that only tightened tings more and that brought us to last night.
April 15, 2009.
I'll admit it. When we heard the opening strings, my heart skipped a beat. And when we heard the drumbeat that signaled the black out, I was crying with happiness and pride. Even from the last row of the mezzanine, you could feel the magic in the Booth. I can't speak for the orchestra, but the entire mezzanine was on their feet before the last chords ended, and I was full-out sobbing by then.
I know the phrase gets tossed around a LOT, but it literally was a dream come true. And then to come home and find Brantley's love letter of a review... It just topped it all. I am so proud of all the cast and creative. They totally deserve this recognition!
Get your tickets now folks! This little show just got a little bigger and brighter.