BWW Reviews: NEXT TO NORMAL at the 5th Avenue Theatre

By: Feb. 25, 2011
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The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the touring production of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical "next to normal" which began part of its life in a workshop locally at Village Theatre.  This odd musical theater show about dealing with mental illness proves that the art form is alive and well and need not be the cookie cutter formula.

Centering on the Goodman family, the show confronts how this group deals with its own personal tragedies which have led to the psychotic break of the Mother, Diana (played by Alice Ripley who originated the role on Broadway).  Trying to help Diana through her ordeal is her husband, Dan (Asa Somers), and their kids, Gabe (Curt Hansen) and Natalie (Emma Hunton), as well as her doctors (all played by Jeremy Kushnier).  But in dealing with her illness we find that her family, while meaning well, may be part of the problem itself. 

Beautifully written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the pair demonstrates that new and fresh shows are being written for musical theater and not everything has to come from a movie.  The "Legally Blonde"s and "9 to 5"s definitely have their place in musical theater but nothing thrills me more when we get a brand new story that not only touches on issues families today face but tells it so well and so engagingly.  The songs not only move the story along, they are the story as there is not so much spoken word in the piece.  The lights and sets by Mark Wendland and Kevin Adams as well as the spectacular staging by director Michael Greif are nothing short of brilliant.  All of which only serves to highlight the outstanding performances.

Somers is wonderful as the doting husband desperate to make his family whole again.  Hunton is fantastic as the daughter who feels shoved aside by her ever present brother and Preston Sadleir as her free spirited boyfriend matches her gorgeous voice and intensity note for note.  Hansen as the son, Gabe, has enough energy and presence for ten stages and his voice seemed to soar up to the rafters with ease.  Not an easy role to fill, especially for fans of the show who were (and are) so smitten with the amazing work of Aaron Tveit who originated the role.  But Hansen takes the part and fiercely makes it his own.  Kushnier takes a somewhat smaller role and nails it with rock star intensity.  And Ripley who won a Tony for her portrayal of this broken woman shows why she so deserved the award and all the other accolades.  She infuses the role with so much heart and depth that not only do you get to know the woman but by the end you feel carried along her journey with her.  I was a little scared for her the night I saw as she seems to be suffering herself with her own illness (just a cold) and such a vocally demanding role would be difficult for someone in perfect health.  But she managed to pull it off and turn in a performance with just as much gut wrenching emotion and vocal acrobatics as she ever did.  But then, Alice Ripley at 50% can kick the butt of most others at 100%.

So if you couldn't tell by now, I'm a fan.  A fan of the show, the performers and especially the writers.  I was fortunate enough to catch a workshop of a new work of theirs last year at Village and they are definitely not one hit wonders.  And with "next to normal" they prove that you can tell a good, human story without all the gimmicks.  You'd be crazy to let this one pass by without seeing it.

"next to normal" plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre through March 13th.  For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue box office at 206-625-1900 or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org.

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz

 



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