Some changes in the template and a great play wins a Pulitzer

My friend Peter is working on the blog template, so things might be a little wonky over the next few days. I really appreciate the time and effort he is putting into this, since I am really a Luddite when it comes to adding bells and whistles on my baby. Yes, I think of my blog as my baby. Let me know what you think.
When it's up and running it should be a master piece. He will be available to do other blogs as well... He is starting is own business.

I am proud to report that "Next To Normal" won a Pulitzer yesterday for drama. I was fortunate enough to see this play last year with my friend Peter, and funny enough with blogger Sandy Naiman, at the same showing, but we didn't have each other's cell numbers and missed each other! Dang!

Next To Normal- what can you say about this play- it's the story of a family, who's matriarch is bipolar and has to deal with depression, death of a child,  suicide attempts, ECT, and takes your heart and soul out of you, yet somehow you leave the theatre feeling like there is hope. Sandy has a brilliant review of it here. I tried to review it, but the whole ECT scene triggered me so hard I was weeping. When the lights went up, I found out I was sitting next to the wife of one of the big New York magazine editors and she was weeping too; her Aunt had ECT and we were swapping Kleenex. It's going on a national tour, I highly recommend it.

Next to Normal- The Blogger I missed

I knew Sandy Naiman would be in the audience of the play yesterday. , we just forgot to give each other our cell numbers or what we were wearing. So we missed each other. In hindsight, I did see her, after we talked that night, but-oh well. I feel bad, she came all the way from Toronto and we really wanted to meet. Maybe I should have worn my sweater with the tabby cat on it.

Her review is here. It's worth a read.

Dazed, Confused, and Gobsmacked

Several weeks ago, I received an email from a Mr. Tom D'Ambrosio, with the play "Next To Normal". Since I live 12 miles away from the Outerbridge Crossing, might I be interested in attending a matinee?


I did yesterday with a friend. And I have spent most of the entire day working on a review for this treasure on Broadway. It is nominated for 11 Tonys. I hope it gets them all. It was the best play on Broadway I have ever seen, and I have seen over 30 of them in my life, many with original cast members and i never, ever thought anything I have seen on Broadway would top some of them, but this play did. I had no expectations for this play, I purposely read no reviews.


And like i said it was the best play I have ever seen on or off Broadway.


But it has hit me so close to home, and left me exposed like a raw, wet wound that is not healing. A family, two generations torn assunder by mental illness. Pills, drug changes, problems with the pills, side effects and ECT.

Not a play for the faint hearted.

I left the theatre shaking, and during the play I blubbered like a baby. And now, as I have been trying to write, I am still overwhelmed by it. I cannot get it out of my head.

I will have my review up shortly, when I can think better. Meanwhile, I will keep my fingers crossed this play gets all the Tony's it can, and any readers nearby can see this.


Photo taken by P. Dearstyne on June 3, 2009 in front of the Booth Theatre, NYC.