InfoAnda - Review: Mental illness shatters family in 'Normal'

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Aussies 'hapless, woeful' against Sri Lanka: press | 6 November 2010
Three jailed 20 years in foiled UK airliner bomb plot | | 12 July 2010
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report | 26 January 2011

Global digital music sales up 25 percent | 17 January 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Review: Mental illness shatters family in 'Normal'

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Review: Mental illness shatters family in 'Normal' By MICHAEL KUCHWARA,AP Drama Critic AP - Thursday, April 16 NEW YORK - There are no easy answers to be found in "Next to Normal," a startling, emotion-drenched musical about one family's attempt to cope with mental illness. The show is an impressive achievement, a heartfelt entertainment that has found its way back to New York after an invaluable out-of-town retooling. ADVERTISEMENT It's startling because the production, which opened Wednesday at Broadway's Booth Theatre, tackles the uncomfortable subject of manic depression with a straightforwardness that is commendable. And it's emotional, too, in that Brian Yorkey, who wrote the book and lyrics, and Tom Kitt, who composed the music, have crafted an affecting contemporary tale that doesn't shortchange character or plot in their attempt to tell a difficult story. "Next to Normal" traces the anguished, downward spiral of a bipolar wife and mother, played by Alice Ripley. The actress is giving one of those fearless performances that is astonishing in its theatrical intensity and vocal commitment. Watching her unravel is a harrowing experience, as are the woman's attempts to combat her problems with pills, shrinks and electroshock therapy. As she flounders, her family suffers, too. There is her husband (superbly played by J. Robert Spencer), a pent-up helpmate who is dutiful in his devotion and devoid of passion as he bottles up his own feelings. And an overachieving daughter with anxieties of her own, problems that mirror her mother's own troubles. Jennifer Damiano plays her with a sweet insecurity, combative with her parents and resisting the affections of her stoner boyfriend, portrayed with ingratiating loyalty by Adam Chanler-Berat. Monitoring this family destructiveness is her mysterious brother _ a charismatic Aaron Tveit _ and an eerily supportive doctor played by Louis Hobson. What these performers all have in common are powerhouse voices, able to negotiate a pulsating pop-rock score. Actually, pop-rock doesn't do justice to Kitt's often haunting melodies and Yorkey's intelligent lyrics. Both are infused with a theatricality that helps define who these people are. Under Michael Greif's sharp direction and the kinetic musical staging of Sergio Trujillo, the actors move with ease _ and sometimes gymnastically _ around designer Mark Wendland's multitiered set. It quickly transforms itself from suburban home to doctor's office and serves as the nesting area for the musical's small band. The stage has been blindingly lighted by Kevin Adams, whose array of powerful, colored lights give off an unnerving sense of dislocation that suggests the fragile state of the lead character's mind. "Next to Normal" was seen early last year at off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre with much the same cast. An engagement in late 2008 at Washington's Arena Stage allowed the authors to clarify what had been a more diffuse, less focused musical. That newfound clarity has ratcheted up the show's effectiveness, making "Next to Normal" one of the most adventurous and satisfying musicals of the season. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Actress Tawny Kitaen settles fraud suit against exAP - Thursday, April 16 Ferrell survives `Man vs. Wild' with GryllsAP - Thursday, April 16 Woody Allen says American Apparel is harassing himAP - Thursday, April 16 US-ENTERTAINMENT SummaryReuters - Friday, April 17 AC/DC denies it will play Romanian festivalReuters - Thursday, April 16 Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Police nab Norwegian pair during high-speed sex Bad mood, better recall, researchers find Obamas' new dog Bo takes a bow Harry Potter actor arrested over cannabis find UBS to cut 8,700 jobs after posting new losses View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 16 April 2009
French detain 11 Somali pirates, ship freed | International |
U.N. monitors quit plutonium site on North Korean orders | International |
Colombia captures top drug lord Don Mario | International |
Thailand aims to revive economy after protests end | International |
Sri Lanka truce over, doors open to final fight | International |
U.S. calls Saudi child marriage a rights violation | International |
PluggedIn: Tech magazine shift from gadget glitz to survive | Technology |
Microsoft says EU antitrust deadline extended | Technology |
Technology advances put police behavior in focus | Technology |
Carry On producer Peter Rogers dies | Entertainment |
Octuplets' mom says plans documentary series | Entertainment |
Italy state TV fires cartoonist for quake drawing | Entertainment |
U.N. inspectors leave North Korea: report | International |
Ahmadinejad pledges new offer on Iran nuclear crisis
Execution top killer of Iraqi civilians: study | International |
Correction: Iraq-WMD Lawsuit
India starts marathon vote, unstable coalition possible | International |
Car blast kills 10 in north Iraq
Russia says NATO exercises in Georgia are provocation | International |
French warship detains pirates, US urges action
Ten Iraqi police killed in Kirkuk car bomb
US economy contracts further, remains weak: Fed
Thai markets relieved by peaceful end to protests | International |
Israel balks at UN war crimes probe of Gaza war
Chinese navy spells out long-range ambitions | International |
US economy weak: Fed
Police: Car bomb kills 11 in northern Iraq
Three killed in asylum boat blast off Australia | International |
Israel won't cooperate with UN probe of Gaza war
Worldwide PC sales fall 7.1 percent in Q1: IDC | Technology |
Google widens lead in U.S. searches: comScore | Technology |
Panasonic, NEC unveil 9 Linux phones | Technology |
US, Europe mull next steps on Iran
US-TECH Summary
Verizon plans app mart for Hub Web phone | Technology |
US: US experts asked by NKorea to leave country
Worldwide PC sales fall 7.1 percent in Q1: IDC
US commander in Gulf submarine crash loses command
Verizon plans app mart for Hub Web phone
Steep first quarter drop in worldwide PC sales
2008 confirmed growing Web role in US politics
Internet used by more than half in U.S. election | Technology |
Talks offer respite in French Channel blockade
Google widens lead in U.S. searches: comScore
FMs say Tamil Tigers using 'human shields'
Internet used by more than half in U.S. election
French warship captures 11 pirates
AT&T wants to extend iPhone deal until 2011: WSJ
Microsoft says EU antitrust deadline extended
Technology advances put police behavior in focus
American Idol judges spare finalist Matt Giraud | Entertainment |
Strong quake shakes Indonesia
Efron is footloose but song-free in 17 Again | Entertainment |
Australia intercepts boat of suspected refugees
Journalist plays cop in hard-to-believe thriller | Entertainment |
Thaksin granted Nicaragua passport
Harry Potter release moved up two days | Entertainment |
UN and US nuclear experts set to quit NKorea
Will Ferrell takes to the Wild in guest stint | Entertainment |
UN chief shares US concern about Aung San Suu Kyi
Megan Fox ready to make Crossing | Entertainment |
Suicide car bomber kills 16 in NW Pakistan: police
Idol champ Fantasia to star in reality series | Entertainment |
NKorea marks late leader's birthday amid tensions
Rascal Flatts, Miley Cyrus lead U.S. pop chart | Entertainment |
Pakistan grants bail to radical Red Mosque cleric
China dissidents detained, harassed on key anniversary
AC/DC denies it will play Romanian festival | Entertainment |
Philippine Muslim cleric in talks to free Red Cross workers
Former Google.org chief joining new Skoll venture
Facebook 'top social network in Europe'
EBay to say goodbye to Skype
Nokia reports 90% drop in net profit
Russia ends 10-year Chechnya operation
Ousted Thai PM urges protesters to reconcile
India kicks off marathon vote
UN nuclear inspectors quit NKorea
China's economy slows, but Premier Wen upbeat
US woman in HK 'milkshake murder' seeks appeal
NKorea releases photos of top body in rare move
China's navy to build new ships, planes
Japan stocks trim gains on weak China growth
Lucky escape as plane hits Australian beach
Belgian shoots wife, then kills self in Philippines
Report: NEC Electronics, Renesas near merger
China's FM to visit Mideast nations, Russia
Fitch cuts Thailand's credit ratings amid turmoil
S.Korea finmin cautions about excessive liquidity
War-scarred Angolan city reborn as university centre
Cut-price Miami concerts prove music to the ears
SKorea's state power firm swings to Q1 loss
Smaller Chinese cities 'key for luxury brands'
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea cuts 2009 export growth target to 51-yr low
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China Eastern Airlines suffers $2.2 billion loss
Megan Fox ready to make "Crossing"
SKorea forecasts 13.5 percent fall in 2009 exports
"Harry Potter" release moved up two days
South Korean won up 0.5 pct but China GDP weighs
South Korean city plays Cupid to boost birthrate
China says economic growth slowest in 10 years
`Kite Runner' among last year's challenged books
"Idol" champ Fantasia to star in reality series
Review: Mental illness shatters family in 'Normal'
Orangutans threatened by illegal pet trade
NetEase wins license to host World of Warcraft
Panasonic, NEC unveil 9 Linux phones
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01