Review Crew
The Review Crew is a group of local Broadway fans who review each of the KeyBank Broadway Series shows through multimedia and social media. Of course, they’re opinionated…it’s their job. Agree? Disagree? Be sure to watch, read, share and discuss.
PlayhouseSquare Review Crew: Review of Next to Normal
Meet The Crew:
Debbie
Developmental Trainer and Family Manager (aka MOM) from Stow
Hobbies: Reading, Singing, Skiing, Plurking, Watching Movies, Scrapbooking, Photography, Living Life to the Fullest!
Favorite Broadway show: Either My One and Only or Starlight Express
Favorite Showtune: There is no way to pick an all-time favorite!
If I had a theme song it would be: How do you Solve a Problem like Maria
Your First PlayhouseSquare experience: My mom took me to see Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan when I was a very young child. I remember thinking that "he" was really, truly flying!
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? I love the level of professionalism and dedication to craft showcased by Broadway shows. I love the fanciful costumes, the way the lighting can totally change the mood and feeling, the timelessness of the stories and, of course, the MUSIC - both orchestral and vocal!
Liliana
Works in college enrollment, from Cleveland
Hobbies: Reading, running, mentoring young students
Favorite Broadway show: Xanadu
Favorite Showtune: Circle of Life from The Lion King
If I had a theme song it would be: Renegade by Eminem and Jay Z
Your First PlayhouseSquare experience: My first visit was when I saw Xanadu. I was and still may be considered a skeptic about Broadway but figured I would make Cleveland look cool to my sisters from Chicago. I bought them tickets and I must admit, I enjoyed it more than I can admit in front of a mirror.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? It gives you incredible energy and arguably too much confidence to want to sing and dance yourself. I don't know what other art form can do this to people, within legal limitation.
Marissa
Technical & Freelance Writer from Cleveland
Hobbies: Writing, videography, songwriting, singing, playing the guitar, craft beer, theater, film, pie-making, improv and sketch comedy
Favorite Broadway show: I really don't think anything can beat the perfection of West Side Story.
Favorite Showtune: Superboy and the Invisible Girl from Next to Normal.
If I had a theme song it would be: It would be played on a Rickenbacker by a multi-instrumentalist dude in suspenders and a pork pie hat on a stoop in downtown Cleveland.
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: I've been attending theater and concerts at PlayhouseSquare for so long, that I can't quite seem to isolate my first visit from all of the other memorable visits. My most memorable visit was my sophomore year in college when my mom took me to see Rent for the first time.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? I love being stirred. I love feeling transported by an entire performance or by a scene. The theater can be deceptively grand, but it is full of fragile moments and tense silence between words and set pieces. In short, it's dramatic.
Melissa
Works in public relations, from Lakewood
Hobbies: Using social media (blogging, tweeting), reading, listening to music, going to shows, baking, running
Favorite Broadway show: Wicked! I just love the storyline and the music.
Favorite Showtune: You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray
If I had a theme song it would be: Defying Gravity from Wicked
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: I've only had great experiences at PlayhouseSquare. My first visit was not to go to a show, but rather for an informal tour before I moved to Cleveland. Since I moved here 3 years ago, I've been taking in all the shows I can!
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? I love the energy of Broadway shows. No matter where you sit, the actors, the stories and the songs come alive on stage.
Mike
Environmental consultant from Berea
Hobbies: Movies, Music, Cleveland, Travel, Food
Favorite Broadway show: The Lion King
Favorite Showtune: Wash That Man Out of My Hair from South Pacific
If I had a theme song it would be: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: First visit was in 1986 - Sesame Street Live. I took my girlfriend, now wife, to see Oklahoma in 2005 before she studied for the summer in London. I wanted to do something special, and PlayhouseSquare seamed to best option. Later she told me that the day after the show, she decided she would marry me... if I asked.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? It's a day event and still maintains a feeling of being classy without breaking the bank.
Sophie
Student from Cleveland Heights
Hobbies: Theater, piano, tennis, social media & texting
Favorite Broadway show: A Chorus Line
Favorite Showtune: On My Own from Les Miserables
If I had a theme song it would be: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: My Mom took me to see Oliver. I was so excited because I knew every word to every song I was seeing on stage.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? Theater is live…being a first-person witness to the show and feeling so engaged with the characters is a cool thing.
Tim
Owner of DJ service, from Clinton
Hobbies: Music/musicals. Boating. Scuba diving. Movies. Camping and theater obviously
Favorite Broadway show: Wicked
Favorite Showtune: Popular from Wicked
If I had a theme song it would be: Nightswimming by REM.
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: In 1995 to see Miss Saigon. I came up for a date and was so nervous about choosing a really good seat that I bought floor seats, center balcony, and side box seats and let my date choose. We choose the center balcony seats and loved the show.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? I love the music. I have always had a passion for music and a true appreciation for those with the ability to play, perform and present themselves to an audience.
Yvonne
Accountant from Cleveland
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, trying new restaurants, being with family and friends
Favorite Broadway show: Cats
Favorite Showtune: My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music
If I had a theme song it would be: Que Sera Sera by Doris Day.
Your first PlayhouseSquare experience: Jesus Christ Superstar last winter. I had just moved to Cleveland, and I heard a lot of great things about PlayhouseSquare so it was the perfect opportunity for me to go.
What do you like about Broadway entertainment? Its ability to reach out to almost everyone and it is very accessible and no matter where you're from you can still enjoy it.
Crew Photo
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