Yay!!!!! A musical!!!!!!!!!
(clears throat)
Anyway, Next to Normal was indeed....next to normal. What I like most about this musical, and most musicals in that case, is that the music helps to provoke and enhance those emotions and aspects of Hornby's elements portrayed throughout the script. Tom Kitt did an amazing job composing this work. I think he particularly portrayed the element of progression well throughout the score. In both his songs "A Promise" and "I'm Alive" there is a clear motif and pattern not only in lyrics, but in the notes as well.
I also think that the most important element in a musical is choice. The playwright and composer carefully choose which scenes, moments, emotions, and ideas they would like performed in song and which ones they prefer as plain dialogue. The choice of song selection and placement in a musical is very important in the script. The characters are not randomly bursting into meaningless song every few moments of the plot. Instead, each song holds significance to it's specific moment in which it is sung and helps to progress the story line and enhance the meaning and message of the text. These choices of music placement separate a play, a musical, and a two hour concert.
I agree, the music in Next to Normal was always significant. There was never a point where the characters just burst into song for no reason. Like I said in my post, the music only occurred when the characters were so overcome that the last available way to express themselves was through song. I think that is what makes it such a moving musical
ReplyDeleteI agree that the music gives clarity to the meaning of the message of the plot. The songs force you to feel at least a piece of what the characters might be feeling - trapped, sad, confused, lost. There are many songs but also many emotions that need to be expressed. I also feel that each song is necessary and holds significance to specific moments.
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