Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Alice Ripley (Artist), J. Robert Spencer (Artist), Jennifer Damiano (Artist), Aaron Tveit (Artist), Adam Chanler-Berat (Artist), Louis Hobson (Artist), Tom Kitt (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Tom Kitt
• Audio CD (May 12, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sh-K-Boom
• ASIN: B001VRDRFG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #529 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Next to Normal has been described as a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis. With provocative lyrics and an electrifying score of more than 30 original songs, Next to Normal shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. Next to Normal recently received five Helen Hayes Award nominations for its Arena Stage engagement, including Outstanding Non-Resident Production, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production (Alice Ripley), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production (J.Robert Spencer), and Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Non-Resident Production (Aaron Tveit and Jennifer Damiano). For its sold-out Second Stage Theatre engagement, Next to Normal won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score and also received the following accolades: Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Featured Actor (Aaron Tveit), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Kevin Adams); Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Music; Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley); and a Drama League nomination for Outstanding Musical, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best new Broadway score of the season, May 20, 2009

By	Steven Valenti "svclue" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"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.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Cast, Music, May 23, 2009

By	AJK (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

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

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Score, May 25, 2009

By	Cubachik (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next to Normal - Original Broadway Cast Recording (MP3 Download)

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!