next to normal

Last Saturday Michael Marie took Sam, Mr. Adam & I to see next to normal on Broadway. It was great. Not just I enjoyed it great, but cutting edge, new direction in theater great! First off, I have to tell you that we saw two of the understudies. Sadly, Alice Ripley (Tony winner) wasn't on, but I did enjoy her understudy Jessica Phillips. She did a fine job. Also not present at the performance was J. Robert Spencer (who is known to be out more than in lately). Spencer was played by Michael Berry. I was really looking forward to seeing Spencer (I find him attractive-ish) but I must say the understudies did great. They usually do. But let's dish...

This show is so groundbreaking because it deals witch such taboo, modern subjects. It openly and fearlessly deals with mental illness in such a frank, nonjudgmental way. I don't know how this show lost the Tony for 'best new musical' to Billy Elliot - which I loved too. So,... in a nutshell, Diana & Dan get pregnant. She decides to have the baby and get married. Baby dies 8 months after birth. She realizes she didn't belong in the marriage but stays. They have another child (daughter) to ease the pain of losing the first. 19 years later, she's delirious and sees her 19 yo boy who is really dead. Mom is medicated up and can't deal. Daughter hates her mother for not loving her the way she loves her dead son. Daughter slowly becomes mother. Dad is just trying to be the good guy and do the right thing. This show has so many levels. So many dimensions to what is going on. I absolutely loved it. It really is a must see. I love smart shows. And this shit is da' bomb!