'Next to Normal' - 2009 Tony Awards Performance - 'You Don't Know' & 'I am the One'

[Gleekgirl1221]

I never watched the musical..... I am confused who is the younger actor to that women. Are they mother and son?? Why did the women chose the younger actor? I am confused? Someone please answer

[MsNicochico]

2:56 I am the one starts

[broadwaybabe99]

they all sound ridiculously good. like better than the recording. except for her timing issues in the beginning...whatever i don't even care i love that bitch

[Kepripep]

My god. This is perfection.

[LLightwhammy]

ARE YOU BLEEDING

ARE YOU BRUISED ARE YOU BROKEN

the most powerfull lines in this song

gives me chills

anyone else feel that way

[OddLittleEmily]

Alice Ripley is the most talented actress of our time.

[candler128]

I always get chills where Aaron Tviet sings "You just don't know who I am!" at the end of the song... WOW. 5:48

[dancegirl104]

Alice is a freaking badass

[gsanchez1714]

Thy should have won best musical

[historylady11]

Alice is fierce.

[jisungyu2]

plz come back to Dallas .. I missed it last summer....

[MadTvLove09]

i could watch robert perform this all day! he deserved the tony and i don't think i'll ever be able to let it go :(

[mdcrox247]

I love the emotions showed in this version that aren't in the soundtrack. GO ALICE RIPLEY!

[peacelovemusicjoy821]

I LOVE this scene and this song gives me goosebumps... but was there a little bit of sexual tension between gabe and diana? At 5:40 I swear he was gonna kiss her... haha I was scared. But I love it anyways :)

[Sweeney1407]

Great performance, except for his very flat note at the end lol

[3Glimpse3]

My father is bipolar and this was the exactly same situation before he went to treatement. Great stuff, except for the akward sexual tension between the mother and the son, lol. Still very good, brought tears to my eyes.

[wickedinUS]

Saw wishful drinking!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gleekcentral1]

quite a lot of sexual tension between mother and son don't you think?...i love it!

[HalleRegina]

I got the pleasure of meeting Aaron Tviet this past April, and he is as sweet and genuine as he is talented. A real class act :)

[MissMonster525600]

i find the relationship between diana and gabe in this number quite awkward.

[otingerbrendan60]

Am I the only one who thinks Beth Leavel could've made a great Diana?

[imanerk987]

Aaron Tveit is hot amplified by about a million times O_o

[jackskellingtonsora]

Alice Ripley is fierce.

[pmoss182]

beautiful music i wish i could see the play. i want to see a Broadway play sooooo bad

[RayquazaGirl]

Hnnnnnggg Aaron is amazing.

[candler128]

I always think it's weird that it looks like she's making out with her son at the end

[YoYoYo826]

aaron tveit.

[3BeckyBee]

Alice Ripley <3 UGH!

[gladrial89]

Omg I want to see this musical so badly. It totally hits me and the lyrics seem like my life sometimes. Wish they'd make a movie of it.

[samg12316]

I love how she says the word 'color' in the beginning

[xkaleidosaurusx]

I got to see Alice preform on the national tour... and dear God I am so glad. She blows any actor/actress I have ever heard out of the water.

[sighcantthinkofaname]

1:08 to skip the intro.

[sp00nge26]

@sighcantthinkofaname but I found the intro funny :-)

[sighcantthinkofaname]

@sp00nge26 It is XD

But, for those of us who watch it multiple times it's nice to skip it :)

[Spongemagic]

@sighcantthinkofaname In MY house, we don't skip Princess Leia Organa. 

[QualaGunner]

Can't forget Aaron Tveit! <3

[QualaGunner]

Alice Ripley <3

[thishatandyou]

Next To Normal not having been in London yet is a joke, right?

[thishatandyou]

Next To Normal not having been in London yet is a joke, right?

[andrewmeeks18]

I just saw this at Pioneer Theater at the University of Utah and it was surprisingly better. There cast was broadway and it was simply incredible.

[laurenjeanybeany]

@andrewmeeks18 me too! i saw it at the U on saturday as well. :) wasn't it amazing?! i absolutely LOVED it.

[MaxyMunchkin]

This brings me to tears. It's so painfully real.

[Ryanlaskey]

im glad theres finally a musical that is about REAL life!

[KyleOgilvie1]

@Ryanlaskey billy elliot is about real life to. but at the same time, they are both so damn amazing that if i had to vote on the best of the year, i couldn't. Shrek and Rock of Ages would be out of the question, but i am pretty sure it was damn close between Next To Normal and Billy Elliot.

[abbymariethree]

2:50. he is brilliant

[courtneylb16]

@kibummmm the son is a hallucination the mom is having, he dies sixteen years before the musical takes place. she has bi-polar disorder so she's hallucinating that he's there with her convincing her that her husband doesn't understand what she's going through. eventually the son leads her to attempting suicide... so no theyre not attracted to each other lol

[PAULIENETC]

so this musical will be playing in holland soon and i'm figuring out if i want to go. :) but this performance is just pure awesomeness.

[MsGingersnap123]

5:17 - 5:23 is the most powerful moment ever to happen on broadway <3

[kibummmm]

songs are awesome but idk it just seems like the son likes his mom like he'd like a woman, and not his mommy o.0 a little weird.

probably just cuz i havent actually seen this musical though xD

[Geekette621]

@kibummmm lol it's totally not like that....i can see how u would think that tho

[zazz81]

Love this

[sighcantthinkofaname]

I always get chills when he says that final line...

This is just so powerful.

[DDorisM]

Absolutely stunning!

[steelthundercoach]

Saw the show in TO Alice is amazing

[wickedinUS]

I love both songs!

[twilightrox2468]

A very well deserved tony for Alice ripley

[imwickedlookout]

love love love love the harmonies.

[Elsiebelse]

I'm kind of afraid of Alice with her silverware...

[Eruadhiel]

My goodness, her manic energy is amazing. This show would be so mentally and physically draining. Actors that perform in plays every night, with renewed vigour every night, as if they're experiencing it for the first time ever are amazing.

[opoppleton]

@TheScottGorbach Yes i agree. The band should always be in charge of following no matter how much she messes up. Amazing performance none the less! :)

[alannabananastrong]

At 5:06 it's like she finally realizes that it's Aaron freaking Tviet singing to her.

[opoppleton]

It makes me sad how off Alice is in this performance :(

[TomCollinsgirl]

when i first heard You Dont Know I cried for a good ten minutes. It totally hit a chord and was what i was and am feeling

[NYBroadwayelphie]

This musical is almost one of the only musicals that really made me thinking. Some of the musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, I like them, but it doesn't really make me go like, "OMG I just saw something epic and new". I think musicals that has to do with topics that are very original -like this one- is what is needed on Broadway these days. No more movie-remaking!!! Goosebumps everytime I see this scene. How ironic this musical ended Broadway session and Spider-something is on

[sidrauneg]

I saw J. Robert Spencer in "Jersey Boys" Aaron Tviet, in "Wicked" and Alice Ripley in "N2N" these three voices complement each other perfectly

[trixiebeldon430]

Aaro is so hot... :)

[KimmelCenterArts]

BREAKING, BROADWAY FANS: Tony Winner Alice Ripley, Next to Normal cast members, AND national behavioral health experts will be answering YOUR text message questions about the show, subject matter, behavioral health, and the artistic process. To participate: Text KCQA to 66746.

[asmileisspecial]

This scene KILLS me.

[Soon2beonbroadway]

There are no words. This is one of my favorite scenes in this show. How it did not win Best Musical is beyond me.  Alice is FIERCE.

[davidbacamusic]

The fact that this didn't win best musical is an absolute crime. It still baffles me.

[raisondetre006]

This song just blows me away. I can't explain it. Favorite scene in the show.

[MrJohneybgood]

Saw this last night at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. Alice Ripley is on tour and I was lucky enough to see her preform as Diana (thank god shes from cleveland!). She was amazing! The whole show is just incredible!!!

[JJepic]

This is the most amazing show ever!!!

[MusicFan1021]

Alice has the most intense facial expressions ever <3 she's amazing 

[OfficialWhyRock722]

20 people don't know what it's like to die alive...

[metrostationjunkie]

Is it only me who thinks that she's way off rhythm?

[clownrus]

@metrostationjunkie Towards the beginning, she is pretty off the rhythm. But, the orchestra really should be following her pace. Oh well, she pulls it off well. Bipolar people don't need to keep on rhythm anyways.

[1039SmthdOutSlpyHrs]

@metrostationjunkie it just makes it more real. if i were fuming like diana in this scene, i wouldnt give two shits if i were on the beat or not lol

[StillxIxDream]

J. Robert Spencer reminds me of Adam Pascal, for some reason.

[heshie2010]

@StillxIxDream Thts exactly what I thought....its in the vibrato....lol, i think rent and this show had the same director...2 of the most amazing shows on broadway ever!!

[GlitteryandGirly]

aaron has an awesome smile!!!!!!

[LTDdr0pde4d]

5:07 Alice's face XD !

[NotADeadCat]

I love how her husband is always trying to tidy up

[psev]

This is GREAT! I know the tour is still going on through the US. I posted a synopsis on my bipolar loved ones blog and linked the video. It's all about awareness.

[miep8675]

Alice's facial expressions scare me...

[fruitbowlhead492]

omg when aaron does that sexy smile after she runs to him i wanna jump him. JEALOUS.

[BrandonHarami]

PRINCESS LEIA!

[CGjamppl]

why does she smile at 5:06 for a quick second? it just seems kinda odd...

[dancethrulife1]

@CGjamppl She's smiling at Gabe cause he touches her and then Dan sings and her attention is drawn back to him.

[thestar13]

@CGjamppl Cause she is a PSYCHO looon hahaha.

[unclegwon]

this is so amazing... almost makes me cry..

[TheSanouska]

If I ever have to see a ghost, please let it be Aaron.

[bruiseboy2]

I saw the second cast and I think I like the father better because his voice is more distinguishable from gabes. What an amazing show.

[gluedhand]

@bruiseboy2 Brian d'Arcy you mean? Because him and Aaron it like amazingness!

[Mowmow97]

Shes like "who should I pick my husband or my dead son? "

[Mowmow97]

Shes like who should I pick my husband or my dead son?

[snowwhiteluv28]

Holy crackers. So. Much. Emotion.

[scottfreaklund]

I miss this show SO much. Thank god for the tour...

[EmmersEmily]

@mtheatregirl15 yes, basicly Gabe (he son) is like a gostly figure only she can see and hear and that's only a fraction as to why so goes in for treatment

[mtheatregirl15]

@EmmersEmily oh ok thank you so much! that makes a lot more sense now!

[mtheatregirl15]

so im kinda new to this show.. is she imagining that her son comes to her rescue? so he's not really there? haha sorry im kinda slow and new still :P

[Hinnata678]

i know this by heart i heart Next to normal

[darkshadowblazeable]

im so using this vid to convince my friend that N2N is the most FUCKIN EPIC MUSICAL EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ManBig4]

20 people disliked this?.....

Well i guess some people dont know how to enjoy good theatre.

[92dramageek]

Two of my friends and I are singing this song for this cabaret with a gender bender theme, and I'm singing Gabe's part. It'll be the closest I'll be to Aaron until I see Catch Me <3

[camiichloe]

I could watch this every single day of my life, 24 hours per day...

Aaron Tveit, marry me?

[MrWoonsocketrocket]

Going to see this tonight with Alice in Providence, RI at the PPAC-3-22-2011

[radicalxxrachel]

Hey 19 non-liking folks, how you're doing? I think you're crazy, flat fucking crazy. So....GTFO. 

[starkidforlife1]

@radicalxxrachel No, Diana is crazy. those people just have bad taste.

[AliaSparrow]

I just saw Billy Elliot last night and loved it. Don't be fooled by BE's commercialization. I loved how BE presented a mass-scale external conflict clashing with a boy's internal conflict, and Billy represented the struggles over the rights of the coal miners. But still, why Next to Normal did not win Best Musical for a smarter tackle of an issue (and original plot) is my question.

[javakat343]

God, I flip shit every time Gabe does the creepy "Hey, dad its me." when he first shows up

[LiveLaughLoveXOXO613]

LOVE..

[psumanu]

i just had a musical orgasm...

[frankoplaysthebanjo]

I love gabe's little smirky smile at the end :)

[shurtugalgjj]

The only thing that I don't like about this video and every time I see Alice do this song, is that I can tell that she wants to cry, and in the song I feel she should be crying, but she just doesn't let herself get there. But I love this song, and it really moves me.

[magicianmike1234]

@shurtugalgjj An actor should never force emotion. If Alice can't cry naturally in the scene, she shouldn't cry. Otherwise it's forced and untrue.

[10yaja]

@thestar13 I love 4:14 too :)

[WHATTHEBUCKSHOW]

This is probably my favorite Tony performance ever!!!!!!!

[Habiat23]

@mikey2312: I agree. To me, Gabriel isn't so much of a character as more of the concept of his death. The way I see it, Diana may be hallucinating about him, but the story is much more about the impact Gabe's death has on her life. The oedipal relationship to me symbolises the way Gabe's death has seduced Diana into mental illness and gives his death a tangible body that the audience can see.

[soubrette87]

@Habiat23 I have to disagree knowing the ending of the show, when Dan acknowledges Gabe, and seeks treatment himself. I know there are a few versions, but he definitely acknowleges him being there and the fact that Dan had disregarded the fact the whole time...or is Dan crazy, too?

[13Renthead]

I saw this musical today in san francisco with alice ripley OMG it freakin awsome!

[coolness06]

@13Renthead I saw it too it was amazing! Well worth the money

[thestar13]

around 4:14 I die a bit

[ckerca]

@thestar13 For me it's at 5:20

[ckerca]

@thestar13 For me it's at 5:20

[ali4eve]

so basically what is this play about or what is this scene about? i kno the young kid is supposed to be her son but at the end when she runs to him why does he look at her like that? like he loves her more than just a mom.

[eviloverlord22]

@ali4eve. Go to wikipedia. It's hard to explain the plot with all it's little nuances in just one post. To explain this scene though Gabriel--the son--isn't real so don't be worried about him being all sexy with his mom. That's not what the show's about.

[mikey2312]

@eviloverlord22 Actually, I consider the whole borderline incestuous/Oedipal relationship between Gabe and Diana to enhance the fact that she really does have a mental illness. It emphasizes how twisted the relationship really is and makes it very clear that this is an unhealthy obsession and not just grief. Without that, you could really ask if it's so bad that Diana imagines speaking to her dead son that way that many people think back upon loved ones that they've lost.

[soubrette87]

@mikey2312 That is that best I have heard :)

[Celenth]

If this show doesn't BLOW YOUR MIND WITH AMAZINGNESS, then you're doing something wrong.

[countryguy93]

5:17 - 5:37 of Alice = <333

I can't wait. I'm so happy she's on the touring broadway cast. Seeing her in May :)

[getmoney27188]

@keepitt your not the only one kid

[jayiijay]

Magnificent. Deserving of its Pulitzer Prize, truly an all-time great musical.

[AnnerbAnhah]

Oh and 5:40 look at Aaron Tveit's face.

[AnnerbAnhah]

I am so freaking love with all three of the people. Are the 19 people who disliked this sniffing something??

Aaron Tveit makes the perfect Gabe. Alice Ripley, don't get me started on how perfect she is. :) <3

[zombiegirl626]

Aaron Tveit. You've been on screen about ten seconds and I sense an obsession forming already.

[Celenth]

@zombiegirl626 That's pretty standard. There's no cure to Tveititis, it's the sexiest disease of them all.

[jmalima911]

I saw this in San Diego over the weekend--absolutely amazing. Of course Alice Ripley was awesome, but Asa Somers as Dan really blew me away.

[xXsarahxrockstarXx]

I saw this on Thursday in San Diego. It was absolutely phenominal. I got goosebumps from almost every song. The story was just all around amazing. And the romance between Henry and Natalie was just so sincere. Most romances make me want to puke because of how unrealistic they are. This story was very real and I could relate to it as well. My father has bipolar disorder and it is definitely a scary thing to deal with on both sides.

[stoshman2004]

saw it in LA. loved it! So amazing and powerful!

[kelseighrox925]

My gosh, this song is...I have no words to describe this exemplary and powerful performance. Congrats to the cast of Next To Normal on a job well done!

[zach2992]

Why does it seem like Gabe is evil and wants the mom to leave the dad? Or is that just part of the show?

[Sharpertainment]

@jmridingred She's cray cray.... lol she's looking at her dead son so I'm pretty sure she didn't have an exact reason. I think it was her looking at him and feeling happiness but the fact that he says that he's the one who cares pulls her back to reality.

[theedancerr404]

Yeah, Aaron is freaking amazing, he's hot and he has such a power in his voice.. but what about J.Robert Spencer?! let's talk about power in the voice ! they 're amazing.

[Sophieste163]

i love the way aaron looks when she runs over to him. he's like "fuck you - i'm aaron tveit" xD

[TaraShaye]

when the wife is cuddling with the son....I wonder what the husband was seeing if he cant see the son...

[kaleelee2309]

@TaraShaye he was looking at her.... and trying to see what she sees.

[D94ab]

I'm going to see this next month in Helsinki City Theater (Finland) : )

[jmridingred]

...I am the only one not understanding her look at 5:05?

[ehohnke]

@jmridingred I never looked at that. It's kind of hilarious.

[kaleelee2309]

@ehohnke lol i think that she was conforted that her son was there... just a guess.

[bettismarie]

@jmridingred I know!!! I've watched this video like 10 times, and I don't get that look.... maybe she broke character for a second?

[jayiijay]

Closing today after an amazing run...have seen over 700 shows, this is the best, the greatest musical ever written. Time will prove this statement correct, with its Pulitzer Prize for Drama and word of mouth cult status, people are already realizing in droves how amazing this show is. Its on tour with Tony Best Actress winner Alice Ripley, see it!

[amazinggarrett1]

@xtopher it wasn't. They sang it like they did every night.

[xtopher]

I wonder why it was lip synced?!

[iheartwicked91]

loved this show, why do all my fave shows have to close?! Next To Normal, 9 to 5, The Little mermaid..... oh wait i know! .....cuz Broadway is filled with crap now! except Wicked,Phantom, Lion king, and mama mia....all the rest? NOPE!.... c'mon spiderman? really! bring N2N back instead! .... LOVED this cast when i saw em! especially Aaron.

[AnIncognitoNinja]

im so sad its going off broadway, it my favorite musical :(

[elloxpoppet7]

@disgrace93 I think that is very intentional, actually. Gabe is not just there to satisfy Dianna's loss of a son, he's also a surrogate for the relationship with her husband. Because that relationship is also so messed up, she needs sexual attention as well - reference how she acts with her doctor and the songs "I Dreamed a Dance" and "There's a World."

[ilussionordream]

5:41 Aaron's face. My goddes, HE IS HOT

[zman1293]

5:15 = so powerful. Look at Aaron's face.

[disgrace93]

Question: 5:41, when Aaron looks at her rather sexually... I haven't seen the show, so I can't be sure, but that's not a think, is it? That's just him, not Gabe, yeah?

[bordermexican99]

@disgrace93 Right, I saw the show yesterday with Alice Ripley!!!! It was fantastic, although I noticed that throughout the show Gabe and Dianna had an oddly close relationship...

[LittleMissLoLo]

@disgrace93 its not supposed to be sexually, its because they are battling for her attention and gabe NEEDs her to choose him in order to stick around, the look is supposed to be cocky and strong, like he knows he will always win because he is the son that she lost and misses.... see the show, i highly recommend it, its so powerful.

[OwlShine]

aaron tveit oh my gosh i love him

[hollya09]

i fancy aaron tviet so so sooooo much. he has the most beauiful voice... not to mention face.

[KeepItGayStageNazi]

Am I the only one who loves how Alice throws the silverware?

[mpd4165]

@KeepItGayStageNazi I absolutely love it.

[AnIncognitoNinja]

@KeepItGayStageNazi thats my favorite part :D

[HansLanda7]

@KeepItGayStageNazi

saw it last night here in Seattle (Alice is on tour with the show) anyway that was probably the most memorable and powerful moment of the show. COLD chills. My brother and I looked at each other and just thought "owwwwww shiiiit" :)

[sshhiiitttson1229]

@KeepItGayStageNazi

me and my friends love it (: (: haha