Brantley also says Alice Ripley gives "the musical performance of the season".
There was tremendous buzz around her for the Off-Broadway production last year as well. She's a Broadway vet with a previous Tony nod. You know what that means.
Sorry, 9 to 5 ladies, I think we might've found our Best Actress in a Musical winner.
Bottom line is this review is at least as good as Billy Elliot's...I think better, actually...and so perhaps there is a bit of competition for that Best Musical Tony. Still, Billy will definitely have the commercial interest on its side, but it's looking possibly like a year for a Best Musical/Best Book and Score split.
Posts: 2803 | Location: New York, New York | Registered: August 08, 2003
I could see that split happening as well. We got tickets for N2N to fill our 5th slot on our May trip, and after reading the Times review today, I am soooo excited!
I think Alice Ripley will be difficult to beat for Lead Actress in a Musical.
Still not hearing much buzz about 9 to 5. I've been checking the Times site periodically to read reader reviews, but very few people seem to have seen it yet.
Brantley also says Alice Ripley gives "the musical performance of the season".
There was tremendous buzz around her for the Off-Broadway production last year as well. She's a Broadway vet with a previous Tony nod. You know what that means.
Sorry, 9 to 5 ladies, I think we might've found our Best Actress in a Musical winner.
Bottom line is this review is at least as good as Billy Elliot's...I think better, actually...and so perhaps there is a bit of competition for that Best Musical Tony. Still, Billy will definitely have the commercial interest on its side, but it's looking possibly like a year for a Best Musical/Best Book and Score split.
While the NY TIMES review is a rave I would still say overall "Billy Elliot" got better reviews than "Next to Normal". As "Normal" was originally from last season it is out of competition for the NY Drama Critics, Drama Desk and Outer Critics prizes and "Billy" should get them all. Also, "Billy" is going to be a much bigger hit and run for years. For those reasons "Billy Elliot" should still fairly easily win best musical even if "Normal" takes actress and book and/or (less likely) score. I predict "Billy Elliot" to win at least best musical, actor, featured actress, choreography and director and some tech prizes.
Posts: 27160 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
Unlike movies, in terms of the NY theater scene the only review that really matters is the Times. It's the only review that can have an economic impact on a show in any significant way, and is certainly the only reliable barometer for gaging the theater community's reaction to a show.
There is almost no overlap between the members of the NY Drama Critics, Drama Desk, OCC and the Tony Awards voters. They're important insofar as their visibility, but Tony voters have proven time and again that they are unswayed by the verdict of precursors.
The major reason Billy Elliot will still win the Tony is that it's a good show that will also have the commercial interests heavily on its side, a tough combination to beat.
I think Billy Elliot is also the frontrunner for all the awards you mention with the possible exception of Best Direction of a Musical - Diane Paulus of "Hair", which is perhaps the best reviewed musical of the season, has a very real shot at taking that.
Posts: 2803 | Location: New York, New York | Registered: August 08, 2003
I went to see this show last week and was blown away by how amazing it is!!! It gave me chills the music was a so good. Alice Riple blew me away as did Jennifer Damiano the girl who plays the daughter. I am very happy this show won the Tony's it did, but it would probably have been my pick for Best Musical.
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Posts: 2704 | Location: New York/Long Island at College | Registered: August 17, 2001
The cast recording is doing really well. Attention to it because of Ripley's speech? Word of mouth?
WILLIAM PETERSEN: Well, this is a shock. The only explanation for this is that somehow in the last year, every one of you tried to act with rubber gloves and tweezers.
Posts: 6617 | Location: NY | Registered: December 01, 2002
It is one of the best Broadway Cast recordings I have purchases in years. I am so happy it is doing so well. Apparently, Aaron Tveit has a strong following. The recording has been on replay on my iPod for about a month now.
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Originally posted by True Tenor: It is one of the best Broadway Cast recordings I have purchases in years. I am so happy it is doing so well. Apparently, Aaron Tveit has a strong following. The recording has been on replay on my iPod for about a month now.
Between this, his upcoming 'Catch Me If You Can' project, his stints on 'Gossip Girl' and his good looks, Tveit definitely has had a strong following for a little while now. I'm delighted that he returned to show earlier this season.
I still get chills thinking about "I Am The One" and "I'm Alive".
Posts: 76 | Location: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: June 18, 2009
Next to Normal definitely should have won. Hands down. And I also think that J Robert Spencer should have beat out the Billys for Best Lead Actor. I'm sure the Billy boys are great, but there's NO WAY they can top Bobby's incredible, powerful, heartbreaking performance. He absolutely blew me away. _____________________________________________________________________ guanajuato hotels | aion powerlevel | aion leveling | debt collection agency
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