Yesterday was my first time seeing the tour, fourth time seeing the show. Overall, I had a great time (I mean, it is Next to Normal, after all lol), but it felt a little strange. Not seeing it at the Booth/seeing it with a completely new cast (besides Alice)/knowing it was my last time made it all feel so obviously different. Next to Normal has and will mean more to me than any other show and I am so grateful I had the chance to see it one more time.

As for the performances…

*Alice was mindblowing. MINDBLOWING. She’s obviously been amazing each time I’ve seen her, but yesterday (for me) she was on a whole other level. She gave an absolutely nuanced performance in every way and her voice was just stellar. Seeing her my last time at the show made it that much more special and really reminded me why I fell in love with N2N in the first place. She is perfection. Enough said.

*Asa was good as Dan. I don’t think (for me) he brought anything incredibly new to the role, but I certainly liked his performance. I particularly loved all his scenes with Emma and he and Curt were great together during I am the One reprise.

*Curt Hansen. Oh, Curt Hansen. During Just Another Day, I thought I really wasn’t going to like him. By the end of the show? I WAS IN LOVE. Yes I’ve seen AT/KDM and they will both rank as my favorite Gabes if you’re going to compare. BUT, Curt was awesomesauce. His voice got so strong as the show went on and I really enjoyed his acting choices. He (and Alice, of course) performed what is now my most favorite “I Dreamed a Dance/There’s a World” EVER. Instead of singing those songs softer, he belted at some points and his movements made those numbers more intense than I’ve seen them before. Definitely loved his performance!

*Emma Hunton will now be called “The girl who made my jaw hit the floor multiple times during Next to Normal due to her vocals of insanity”. Seriously. She could sing that part in her freaking SLEEP and still be fantastic. She brought something fresh to Natalie which I enjoyed and completely broke my heart during “Maybe”. I will forever be obsessed with her new take on the “I mean, Portland” line in Better than Before. SO funny! …Also, HER VOCALS (just in case I didn’t already mention them).

*Jeremy did a really, really nice job as the Doctors. He had fantastic chemistry with Alice and a wonderful voice as well.

*Preston was, for me, just okay as Henry…until Hey #3/Perfect for You reprise happened, that is. And then I lost it. Like, absolutely LOST IT. I don’t really think I’ve ever cried much during that specific number before, but his sweetness with Emma reduced me to a sobbing mess. And I love him for it.

Thank you for everything, Next to Normal. I’m going to miss you more than I could possibly ever say. <3