Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
#1Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:37pmWhich is better? My friend and I are arguing about the two. We haven't seen either shows. I'm for Billy and my friend is for N2N.
#2re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:39pmThere are a bunch of threads on this topic, you should try searching.
#2re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:40pm
Not again....
But having seen both, N2N in every possible way.
rorygilmo52
Understudy Joined: 4/14/09
#4re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:03am
better in what way?
I honestly think, as a cohesive whole, Billy Elliot is better. I do think, however, that N2N deals with difficult subjects incredibly well, and I honestly hope more new musicals follow in its footsteps.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Updated On: 7/28/09 at 12:03 AM
WishingOnlyWounds2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/25/08
#7re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:06amThey are so different.
2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5
May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot
#8re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:07amN2N
I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&.
"Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."
yankees1253
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/07
Salene
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/07
#11re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:44am
adamgreer, what does that mean?
Ever hear the expression "beating a dead horse"?
My vote goes to Next to Billy Elliot.
Updated On: 7/28/09 at 12:44 AM
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
TalkinLoud
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/09
#13re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 12:51am
I say we talk about it here, and never in any other thread ever again.
And for the record, I prefer Billy Elliot.
#14re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 1:21amBilly Elliot, though I acknowledge N2N as being a great show as well. I just prefer BE.
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 2:35am
Next to Normal in every way.
Better score, cast, subject and musical.
#18re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 2:56am
They're both overrated pieces of tripe.
But if I had to sit through ONE of them again, it would be BILLY ELLIOT, hands down.
NEXT TO NORMAL makes my stomach turn in ways no other show has ever been able to do.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#19re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 3:37amWhy?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#20re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 4:13amThe disrespect and carelessness with which the serious subject matter is handled.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
sking
Stand-by Joined: 12/8/08
#21re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 5:37amN2N for the songs and singing, Billy Elliot for the dancing and everything else. That being said its DAMN hard to compare these 2 they couldn't be more different. I come out of Billy happy and upbeat and out of N2N totally wrung emotionally dry, I VASTLY prefer the first feeling(though N2N kicks you in the gut quite masterfully).
#22re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 7:56amWhat with Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal all the time? Why is there always a need to compare them, they're so different. Why can't people like both? I think the OP and his friend should stop arguing until they have seen both shows. Then just decide for yourself. Why does it matter what everyone else thinks, it's all subjective.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#23re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 7:57am
N2N hands down.
That being said, it really is just a preference. Billy Elliot is an excellent example of traditional musical theater with a lot of heart. You know what's going to happen next from the moment the plot begings. I loved it the first time I saw it, and was totally underwhelmed the 2nd time (early July). The choreography is the star.
N2N is a new experience of a new story with heart, soul and heartbreak. Very moving, always keeps you involved. (I'm headed to my 4th attendance and cannot wait.) The story and the performances are to die for.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#24re: Billy Elliot vs. Next to Normal
Posted: 7/28/09 at 8:00amWhy not go see both and make your own decision.
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