Customer Reviews

Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Next to Normal," with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is the kind of cast recording I respond to immediately, in which the music is in perfect synch with the plot. The songs are not just "songs," but extensions of the characters--direct outpourings of their emotions. Musical fans know it's not just about a catchy melody or lyric--the music has to hook into your emotions in an almost intangible way. On the best cast recordings, you don't have to listen to an entire "song"--sometimes just a mere musical phrase or dramatic moment can tingle the spine. I suppose, in theory, good musicals should always do this, but the last time I felt a musical worked this well, particularly in a sung-through style, was "Caroline, or Change." There are no clunky moments here--just two discs of musical theater bliss.

Like "Caroline," "Next to Normal," features a nimble, varied score--here it ranges from pop, rock, to folk, even a waltz and a hilarious Rodgers and Hammerstein parody. It's hard to pin down the sound exactly-- which is one of the great pleasures of the recording. Another pleasure is the cast. The fantastic (and soon-to-be Tony winner) Alice Ripley is Diana, a suburban mom in the throes of bipolar disorder. She's well matched with J. Robert Spencer, affecting as her well meaning but hopelessly enabling husband. Jennifer Damiano and Aaron Tveit make strong impressions as the struggling teens rounding out the family, and Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson add fine support in smaller roles. Singing Yorkey's smart and perceptive lyrics, the cast gives full due to the weighty subject matter. This is certainly the best new Broadway score of the year, and a superb cast recording. Not to be missed.

Saw this musical last month in New York and was completely entertained. While the subject matter seems unusual for a musical, the cast was amazing & the score was a powerful force - and gets better and better with repeat listenings.

Starring Alice Ripley (Side Show, Rocky Horror Show) and J. Robert Spencer (Jersey Boys), the interplay of both delicate ballads and edgy rockers reflects the ever-changing moods of a household dealing with bipolar issues. Aaron Tveit (robbed of a Tony nomination) and Jennifer Damiano are also terrific.

Best tracks:

Just Another Day
I Miss The Mountains
You Don't Know
I Am The One
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
I'm Alive
I've Been
Light

This isn't your "feel good" musical - it's a "feel everything" musical, with no easy answers, but plenty of heart and a fine cast that brings to vivid life a story of a troubled family that has at its core a wife and mother (played by the glittering Alice Ripley) with bipolar disorder. It's very moving and surprisingly funny. I bought this CD two weeks ago at the Broadway show's intermission because I knew I would want to hear these songs again. Get the recording - see the show!

I knew nothing about Next to Normal except for the thrilling number presented on the Tonys broadcast. Not having seen the show I didn't want waste money without hearing the score but when I couldn't get any of my friends to buy the album I bit the bullet. I love Alice Ripley (from her amazing performance in "Side Show" and the duet albums with Emily Skinner") but I don't like rock scores. The music is completely appropriate to the contemporary story. The story, characters, situations become richer, deeper and more powerful with each listening. I had no idea that their son had died years before. That makes everything much more poignant. I can't wait for a production to come to San Francisco.
This album is far from depressing, it's exhilarating. Makes one glad to be alive!

First of all, I'd like to make it clear that I do NOT recommend this CD if you haven't seen the show. The CD gives away some things about the show that I think it's better to find out during the show.

Next to Normal is the best musical I've seen in the last couple years. It's incredibly moving and definitely sad at times, but the music is amazing and the cast is wonderful. I highly recommend seeing the show and then buying the CD! Or buying the CD and not listening to it until you see it (my best friend does that a lot).

For the record, I have not seen NEXT TO NORMAL on Broadway, but if the physical production is as compelling as the cast album I am listening to now, I WILL be buying a ticket as soon as I am in the city this autumn.

With the aid of the detailed synopsis in the included lyric booklet, this album does an excellent job of telling the story of Diana Goodman's struggle with bipolar disorder, and its effect on her husband, son, and daughter. Just know: this is not a musical recording to be listened to as background music to accompany studying or other focus-stealing activities. You want to be invested in both the words and music. This recording improves with repeated listening, and never grows stale.

Many people who have seen the show have complained about Alice Ripley's 'weak' or 'pitchy' vocals. Listening to the album, she is neither of these things. Her TONY-awarded acting shines through on the album, and makes up for any vocal 'flaws' there may or may not be. J. Robert Spencer plays Diana's husband to a wonderfully tragic effect, with solos that will rip your heart out. Jennifer Damiano plays a Natalie almost every teenager can identify with: perfectly seemingly indifferent to her less than normal surroundings, seeking refuge in music and one trusted companion. Aaron Tveit is chilling as Gabe, Diana's troublesome son, and the source of her mental anguish. Adam Chanler-Berat (as Natalie's boyfriend) and Louis Hobson (as Diana's doctors) round out the impressively strong cast of six. Both actors flesh out their characters quite well on the album, though neither is given as much, musically, as the others to really stand out.

The two-disc recording comes packaged in a sturdy folded cardboard case and includes a thick booklet containing a detailed synopsis, complete lyrics, and production photographs. I highly recommend purchasing the physical album instead of digitally, if only for the great lyric booklet. It was listening to this album and reading the lyrics with it that really helped this album make its desired effect on me as a listener.

Picking up Tonys for both score and orchestration I figured I'd have a listen of this cast recording - at first and completely out of context it is an enjoyable, if a little long listen.

Thought I'd to put things in perspective so I 'read along' with the wikipedia plot summary as I gave it another listen and had a completely different reaction!

Literally in tears, a reaction I have *never* had simply listening to a recording before, "You don't know/I am the one", "I'm Alive", "There's a world" become so appropriately tied to the characters thoughts and emotions, I don't even feel I need to see the show to 'feel' it - proof of a successful cast album if it can capture (what I assume to be) the show's spirit.

I found Alice Ripley (Diana) and Aaron Tveit (Diana's son) to be the highlight - though J. Robert Spencer (Dan), Jennifer Damiano (Natalie) and Adam Chanler-Bera (Henry) are excellent too. I'm not sure how the cast could be improved.

And it should be noted the show can be very funny, e.g. "My Psychopharmacologist and I" (though this song is also darkly insightful) - the music covers quite a broad range of emotions.

The music on this cast recording is emotionally powerful, because it addresses the issue of mental illness and depression. This musical proves that mental illness can affect an entire family. My favorite track is "You Don't Know". Alice Ripley is perfectly cast as a woman suffering from depression and bipolar disease. She sings this song with such feeling. "I Am The One" is sung by J. Robert Spencer. This song is about a husband struggling with his wife's illness. J. Robert Spencer also sings the beautiful song entitled "A Light In The Dark". Jennifer Damiano shines on the song "Superboy and Invisible Girl". "Just Another Day" is a great song sung by the cast. This song is upbeat and one of my favorites. Perfect For You is a pretty song performed by Adam Chanler-Berat and Jennifer Damiano. Louis Hopson has a strong voice. He sings the songs "Catch Me I'm Falling" and "Make Up Your Mind" with Alice Ripley with such conviction. I love the music on this cast recording.

I saw Next to Normal at the Arena Stage here in Washington. I loved the show and emailed to ask if there was a soundtrack recording. I was so happy to find out that this came out and immediately downloaded it.

I just bought this soundtrack (I got it yesterday) and it is excellent. It's one of my new favorite musicals. I just heard it was nominated for 11 Tony's so I looked it up and listened to some of the tracks and read a synopsis. I was hooked. This is a musical about a not so typical suburban family dealing with a mother/wife who is battling bipolar disorder and depression. This musical really has everything: rock music, ballads, sadness, comic relief, and drama. Some of my favorite songs (and it's hard to choose because it has 37 songs!) are Superboy and The Invisible Girl, I Am The One, I'm Alive, Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling and Wish I Were Here. Seriously like 90% of the songs are my favorites though. The thing I like about this musical is that it hits close really to home. Some musicals such as Legally Blonde, Wicked and Sweeney Todd are kind of a fantasy. This one is different because it's quite often some kind of a reality in peoples lives- mine for instance. So this is just a great musical and soundtrack. I would definitely recommend it.