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

N2N - 2009 Tony Awards Performance of Next to Normal, nominated for Best Musical. The songs featured are "You Don't Know" and 'I am the One'. Features Tony Award Winner Alice Ripley for her role as Diana Goodman. Also featuring J. Robert Spencer, Aaron Tveit, Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat, and Louis Hobson. Next to Normal also won Best Original Score awarding Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.

[@Gobear1]

Gabe isn't a ghost; he's the personification of her illness disguised as the adult version of her dead baby. That's why he has that triumphant expression--her mania is winning.

[@misfithog5855]

Gabe is more than that. He also is the personification of grief and the toll his loss has caused for the whole family. It's why in another scene he is the one who pushes the pills Diane uses into a very easy place for Natalie to find. It also is why he sticks around with his dad after Diana leaves. Dan had not acknowledges just how much he was hurting, he needed to actually see his grief as something separate from "trying to care for Diana and keep things running".

[@actuallycherub]

also, ghosts dont age. hed still be a baby if he was one

[@arcticwolf8371]

@@misfithog5855 that's exactly how I interpret his character too!

[@Blue-xt7kc]

It’s showing how Dan is finally coming to terms with his grief, and accepting the death. He never thought his son was still there, but he never quite accepting the death. It’s showing his moving on.

[@jakedurante-koller7287]

I know this is a old comment, but I always thought of Gabe as that illusion of her inner demon that keeps her hanging on to the grief. And it takes the form of gabe to deceive her. It’s a voice that says “no stay here, it’s safe here and you don’t have to go through pain if you just think of me and never let go” I feel we all have that voice to some extent, but for her it’s a lot strong due to the intense trauma of losing her son

[@elenah4949]

It's just ironic that Natalie was the only one not included in this

[@NFK8]

Elena H. Ahahahahaha! Poor Natalie. Always left out.

[@vero-kd8vg]

The invisible girl indeed

[@comsatteur6893]

She's not here. She's not here.

[@vanessabjj]

She's not there

[@longlivethegays]

ouch

[@SlowxParentsCrossing]

For anyone who didn't get the presenter's joke, she (Carrie Fisher) was also diagnosed bipolar.

[@fernatticus5134]

RIP

[@kaitlynvlogs4062]

ohhh , i was confused at the reaction aha ty for explaining

[@TheZeitergeist3]

THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE GABE/AARON IS ALWAYS WEARING THE SAME COLOR SHIRT AS THE PERSON HE'S INTERACTING WITH.

[@margaretschafer8587]

OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE YOU DONE MY HEART

[@i-am-a-fangirlbe_afraid2187]

TheZeitergeist3 OMJJJJJJJJJ

[@nekk5936]

It also portrays his mood Red=rage, blue=sadness

[@QuikVidGuy]

Nekk in the show, blue represents comfortable ignorance and red represents truth and healing

[@helenabekele2765]

Macaroni and Cliches is that why the title color is purple

[@aislinnmae6984]

The look of triumph in Aaron's eyes when Diana goes to him, like 'I won. I won.' is terrifying, and absolutely amazing. He is so talented.

[@MoonshoesLewy]

All of you who seem to think Aaron's acting like a lover: you have to understand, Diana's imagining Gabe as her perfect son. She wants him to be the popular, handsome troublemaker, she wants him to be affectionate and just generally there for her. The Gabe Aaron is portraying is exactly who Diana thinks she wants.

[@victoriawhitcomb6475]

To add onto this, Gabe is basically whatever she needs him to be in that moment, no matter what it is. That can include a lover, no matter how odd it might be

[@thomasszymanski1107]

Honestly, when I saw them on Broadway, I walked in knowing nothing other than, "you must see this show." There was a weird question about the sexual chemistry but it all got cleared up and actually made the break at intermission more intense. To see this 3rd row center was life changing!

[@starvin666]

Its also because he is her mental illness seducing her

[@nataliewyper9909]

Aaron Tveit seriously needs to be given more roles on Broadway and in Hollywood maybe then he can get the Oscar/Tony he already deserves. I know he's hot, but on talent alone he is a seriously underrated actor!

[@lisafs0902]

Agreed! He is so talented, and truly deserves a Tony!

[@avareallymeow]

I agree completely he is so talented (and so cute!)

[@lanndisdelallo4598]

It's a crying shame he wasn't even nominated for a Tony for this role!

[@climbinguphill]

Lanndis De Lallo I agree wholeheartedly. He deserved one.

[@hooey4362]

Welp he's in moulin rouge now and that's doing really well

[@emilynowlan7235]

Aaron Tveit was acting a lot like a lover. But Gabe is just a figment of his mother's imagination, she's molded him into exactly what she wants. If what she needs is a lover, that's what he becomes, no matter how creepy it is. He is everything she needs and wants, simply because he comes from her mind.

[@Dale-ct5ru]

Valid. Also though, he is the embodiment of what every character feels he is. Dan sees him as a competitor for her attention, so this musical uses apparent romance to express that Dan regards him almost like another man driving a wedge between himself and Diana, as @Michael says above.

[@kl-1447]

A different thing I read said that it may also be an extension of her medications' side effects, as "odd and alarming sexual feelings" is one she notes, so Gabe as a manifestation of her mental illness may be factoring into that.

[@CarlitoPucl]

Carrie Fisher has a history of mental illness/depression. Having her as the presenter was the BEST choice I've seen for a Tony presenter in YEARS!!

[@evang.6771]

i love aaron whole-heartedly, but can we take a moment to appreciate ALICE RIPLEY

[@hooey4362]

Her acting is soooo good tbh

[@sifuvr2390]

I like how she sorta sniffles when Dan sings before getting angry again. It rly sold it and reached a new level

[@sundarpichai940]

I know that it's somewhat open to interpretation but it seems pretty clear to me that there's no ghost here. Gabe's presence represents what his memory means to each of the characters. For Diana, he's this obsession that she finds irresistible and all-consuming. For Dan, Gabe's almost like another man who constantly drives a wedge between him and Diana. That's why when Diana runs to Gabe, Gabe shoots Dan a mocking smile. It's not that Gabe is evil -- this is who Gabe is to Dan.

[@ryankath4]

And you just gave a spoiler to the ending of the musical haha

[@sundarpichai940]

Ryan Owens I think anyone viewing this video has already seen the musical at least once.

[@jordannickel-dubin9851]

Michael Nope. I haven't seen it.

[@valeriae6053]

Michael, I think that smile was Gabe trying to taunt Dan. You could argue that her running into his arms represents her distancing herself from Dan, but I think the stage directions are literal. She's been established as delusional so I think at this point all Dan can see is her running from him and stopping to hug the air. Gabe shoots the smile at Dan, but Dan can't see him and therefore can't see the smile. Though I may be turning this into the famous ghost debate, so I'll just stop here lol

[@valeriae6053]

Oh shit, your comment's 3 years old. Sorry for bringing it back up.

[@mcpheefan21]

'I'm watching this thinking "So that's why she won that Tony".

[@HannahMayJune]

it kills me when she gives gabe such a loving look, and then she looks at her husband and it's gone.

[@JulianneHannes]

Damn that entrance, the boy has presence

[@katwil89]

Alice is the most natural actress I have ever seen. It's especially amazing that in a musical, she was able to make her actions big enough for the stage, but still subtle enough to believe her character.

[@emmamueller3921]

Ok someone please explain to me how tf Aaron was not even nominated for a tony for this performance bcause he deserved to win one he was FRICKING AMAZING

[@lisafs0902]

I think when Gabe is trying to get Dan's attention in this song, Dan is ignoring him because he is afraid to accept Gabe' s death, which makes I Am The One (reprise) so powerful. Just my interpretation.

[@TheatreKid95]

Diana is actually the only family member who is able to see Gabe. Gabe is in her imagination, as a result of her depression.

[@hannahn5364]

TheatreKid95 I agree that Diana can see Gabe, but I think whether or not Dan can see him is questionable in the reprise of I Am the One. Some of the lyrics could be interpreted as being addressed to Gabe, especially when Gabe is actually restraining him.

[@TheatreKid95]

During the Reprise is the first time Dan is able to see Gabe as he has finally stopped trying to pretend that everything and shows that he has not forgotten Gabe.

[@davidfathom3051]

I've always thought of Gabe as more of a metaphor than a real person. He basically acts in the show as a shorthand for mental illness. Diana is the one who gets screwed over most directly by him, and is also the one with severe bipolar. Dan can see him and denies his existence for most of the play, but by the end of the show he admits he can see Gabe and begins seeing a therapist. Natalie can't see him, but gets affected by him (he moves the pills to where she can find them), which kind of drives home that Diana's mental illness is ruining everything.

[@tigereyez01]

David Fathom Yeah. He's not a real person. He's a delusion that only Diana can see. I don't think Dan can see him but is aware that Diana sometimes had delusions of him. I think the thing with Dan is that he didn't grieve Gabe and so ignored his existence and Gabe in the form of Diana's delusions became a wedge and an antagonist between he and his wife. And in the end he finally acknowledges Gabe and grieves for him in the dark.

[@musicalmeg19]

"Do you know ... what it's like to die alive?" That's the most briliant line ever!

[@AbStar_xx]

I will NEVER understand why this didn't win Best Musical.

[@gennybaratta2460]

It did rightfully win the Pulitzer! :)

[@22Nimily]

The actors in this song are incredible. You can tell that Alice really identifies with her character. And Aaron Tveit.... the way he moves.... his facial expressions... he's the best out of all of them. He's just freaking amazing. Seriously. I hope he does more broadway shows vs. regular acting. I want to see more of him, but I also really want to see him in shows where we can all hear his amazing voice.

[@bethanyjoan3524]

Anyone else ever notice that when she throws the utensils, one of them bounces back up and cuts her cheek? And she just keeps going. Amazing focus

[@julieporter7805]

It also is a great ad lib that she puts her hand on her cheek so it looks like she is caught up in her emotions and feels like she is being beaten by her illness.

[@Olemansummer]

She gave it her all this performance. A legend

[@renno2679]

Its hard to tell if it did. She always aims it behind her so that doesn't happen.

[@Norce555]

This is 3 years old at this point but it absolutely doesn't cut her cheek. What you're seeing is just some hair in a low resolution. At 3:15 you can see that it's just hair, and at 3:23 you can see that there's no cut

[@BekkiBicci]

Hm I thought it hadn’t hit her but at 5:22 it does look like she has a cut on her cheek

[@hezekiahpabico2688]

I agree to one comment, Gabe is more of a persona that represents what he and his death means to every character in the show. It's clear in most songs. Gabe has different attitudes around Diana, Dan and Natalie. It's just really downright depressing and unique.

[@pandamonika]

I think Gabe is also the physical representation of Diana's illness and when he interacts with the other characters, it shows how damaging her illness is to the rest of the family, and points out their own mental instability. When Diana dances with Gabe, she attempts suicide because he is pulling her to the dark side. It is also Gabe who gives Natalie the bag with Diana's pills and prompts her substance abuse. When he sings to Dan, he either pulls his wife further away from him or makes him realize the feelings of loss he'd been bottling up for years.

[@MeguVusion]

Carrie Fisher will be missed. This is the first time I heard her name and learned she was extremely talented and also Princess Leia, now General Organa.

[@tangerine3843]

John Mark Webb did something happened to her ;-;;;;

[@veronicasawyer8813]

@@tangerine3843 She died, how did you not know that?? It was all over the news

[@nanlikestoast666]

haha that was so cute "please welcome, from the cast of next to normal, the cast of next to normal!" I'm glad I've never had to read off of a teleprompter because I would totally end up doing something like that.

[@braindeadgoldfish]

I still can't believe this show didn't win best musical.

[@purpleopple]

Who won?

[@braindeadgoldfish]

purpleopple Billy Elliott

[@lesmis1016]

Jaden Lowe I thought spring awakening won?

[@braindeadgoldfish]

Spring Awakening won Best Musical in 2007. Next to Normal and Billy Elliott's Tony season was 2009.

[@brendonjohnson1828]

When I first watch this 6 years ago I had no idea of the plot twist. Now everytime I watch all I can see if Alice's nuisance's. They way she points across the table at Aaron. BRILLIANT!! Breaks my heart. I saw this show on Broadway and spent the last 20 minutes with tears just streaming down my face.

[@trvelnfool]

omg me too. saw it on broadway. all I knew was that It was emotional and sad but didn't know anything else. Cried like a baby at the end of act 1, and harder through most of act 2. I later saw it in a regional theatre production and I wondered if the emotion would still be there for me because 1, it wasn't the broadway cast and 2. I knew the story, but the story itself is so powerful that I was blown away the second time as well.

[@magnoliarose1237]

oh Aaron youre a gift from God

[@bretticus1218]

can i just say how much I love Aaron's acting here, he's playing the perfect role of a loving, overprotective son, but at the end when she runs to him instead of her husband you can see his look at her husband, it's triumphant, he knows he's won, but he goes right back to being concerned and it is so beautiful how he manipulates them like that

[@Dale-ct5ru]

Aaron Tveit looks much younger with his hair cut like this. He actually looks only eighteen or so, though in this recording he's like twenty-five.

[@Scottyj1211]

Alice Ripley is absolutely incredible. One of my favourite onstage performances of all time.

[@neverlosepassion]

I remember seeing the preview of Next to Normal. Alice was painfully exquisite. Her emotion, as well with the other cast members were so raw and beautiful. Being a performer from Broadway, you don't see a cast so raw that much...such an amazing performance.

[@musicworm101]

11 years later our boy is finally up for his tony

[@isabellacruz4983]

2019 and the meaning behind this musical has aged so well

[@margaretschafer8587]

I will never stop wondering why Billy Elliot beat Next to Normal for the Best Musical award, this show deserved it! This performance was flawless!

[@jacobmullins6533]

Billy Elliot is pretty great though

[@pandamonika]

It is greal but it's also based on a movie. The story already got a lot of credit for the movie and I feel like this original musical with a fantastic new story should have won. I don't know, just something about making a show from scratch feels like more work that deserves a little extra recognition.

[@asterismos5451]

I wondered that too until I saw Billy Elliot, and while Next to Normal is phenomenal, Billy Elliot hit me harder. I really hope they make N2N a movie though because it's an amazing story and a really great show.

[@Blue-xt7kc]

N2N wouldn’t make a good movie (probably, it could be good, maybe) because part of the point, is its small cast and cosy, small atmosphere, which would be hard to replicate. Billy Elliot is more marketable, and more family friendly, which does tend to push a show ahead (though not always, like in the case of wicked)

[@jackierosas9593]

@@Blue-xt7kc I think that would make it more interesting for a film tbh. Film uses a lot of closeups, camera tricks, and movements to bring us into a character's POV. It could become even more psychological . Even some of the camera shots in this performance such as 4:38 can offer insight into a scene. When Gabe sings so beautifully "I am," Dan is cut out of the shot even though we can still hear him. It creates such rich dissonance between the characters. As an audience we're lured into Gabe like Diana, soothed for a moment and mentally distanced from Dan. We see who she's leaning towards. That is captured with the shot and the illusion is broken once we zoom out and see Dan again. Anyway, to end this rant, I think N2N would be one a great movie with sooooo much potential. Though who knows if it'll ever be adapted.

[@TheOlympicBanana]

Their mannerisms in this performance, especially Alice and Aaron, are absolutely perfect

[@beepbeepeddie8010]

i was binging random videos while drawing. this was my first time hearing a next to normal song and i looked u to the screen just in awe like woW I lIkED THaT

[@shorty7523]

Mood

[@TheSteph88]

its shameful to admit but I would probably be one of the cheering girls when aaron starts, (sigh), so wonderful!!

[@aleclamoreaux314]

I love me some Robert Spencer! He was the best man at my uncle's wedding, and he sang at the reception and it completely blew me (and every one else there) away. He's incredible!

[@emmamueller3921]

no casting decision will ever beat the casting of alice ripley and aaron tveit in this musical

[@Marina-rn4pd]

I love people who actually understand this musical.

[@mariagoodman3465]

I love how at 4:50 you can see how much fun J.Robert Spencer is having 💗

[@triggerua]

I said it before, but the idea of shouting in harmony is just ridiculously brilliant!

[@triggerua]

the shear madness at 5:17 through 5:21 is breathtaking. The son shouting in harmony is just ...groundbreaking

[@champion24601]

Dan looks at her with so much love, but Diana looks absolutely terrified of him it’s so sad :(

[@lynn-qw3yu]

i absolutely love alice ripley's voice. even when it cracks it works so well and still sounds amazing

[@Nichiwa14]

I love how Gabe is just sitting there at the top of the stairs with his legs tucked in; he looks so adorable!

[@myles3765]

still watching in September 2016 still just as good

[@roxysurfer513]

same

[@bareabopopera3091]

December 2018!

[@AnastasiaSenpaii]

I think they both can see him, he just ignores him as he refuses to even name him and his sister can't really see him cause she never met him but she might feel his presences. They just never grieved him properly.

[@hyuno8267]

Every single time I watch this clip I just end up gawking at ALICE RIPLEY as she is so goddamn good

[@thanks-jt8dp]

when's the movie coming out seriously

[@AlexMaizus]

t. hanks very hard to do. Idk how they’d portray such a small intimate space in a film.

[@hooey4362]

Next To Normal is more suited for a stage imo

[@ginnyf.8591]

@@hooey4362 Agreed but I'd like a movie version so I don't have to worry about my boots being taken down lmao. If they remove any songs like they did to Rent I will lose it though.

[@JennaQuiet]

The acting in this is amazing.

[@MelissaNgai]

Aaron's victorious face at 5:40 is so good

[@leichtning]

I'm doing Gabe right now and one of the aspects of his character that I've been trying to develop is that he is a lover to Diana-- just a different type of lover than Dan. While Dan gives Diana the physical part of the relationship that she needs, Gabe gives her the emotional support that Dan doesn't understand. Diana is "in love" with Gabe because he is the only one who could possibly understand what she is going through. He is a lover to her-- not in the physical sense of the word.

[@RinaAono]

can someone make this a movie? 😭 I love this show so much.

[@leojbramble]

I'm a boomer raised on Rodgers and Hammerstein shows and their ilk, and not one who typically goes for rock musicals (except JC Superstar), but this is possibly the most amazing musical I've seen. Saw this on Broadway five times, and I never do that (I'd seen Tyne Daly in 'Gypsy' twice, and Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald in 'Ragtime' twice - that it). It blew me away every time. I was fortunate to see the orignal Ripley/Spencer/Tveit/Damiano cast, as well as later configurations, including when the late Marin Mazzie and her husband Jason Danieley seamlessly took over. Everyone in each cast rotation was brilliant, but Ripley was mindblowingly, heartbreakingly astonishing - even the pitch and rhythm issues that I immediately noticed, and that more than a few commented on during her run, were, to me, perfectly suited to her character, and likely intentional. Such a great piece. They have to bring this back to Broadway - it has not received nearly the recognition it deserves.

[@itsjulianharper]

alice’s emotion here is on another level

[@GodOnlyKnows]

And it's not only that he's seductive, it's that he's kind of sinister. There's definitely supposed to be an element of darkness in him, because he's a representation of all the instability inside her. He does act like a lover, and it's totally creepy, but that's the point, the way I see it.

[@rhyschambers5223]

4.10 - 4.20 Aaron's vocals👌

[@emmamueller3921]

god every time i watch this i'm reminded of how absolutely criminal it was that aaron tveit didn't even nominated

[@rebeccahsieh8871]

Does this bring anyone else to tears? Watching in 2017 and thinking that this is still so incredible!!

[@ValKagamineNyan]

4:38 I melt

[@jasonkashoumeri6681]

14 years after seeing this video on KZbin and becoming enthralled by this musical I finally got to see it live in London. This is by far one of my absolute best shows ever. Alice is phenomenal in this and the wonderful Cassie Levy did her justice!

[@daysfanatic0407]

This was the first time I ever heard of Aaron Tveit, been a fan ever since

[@CarlitoPucl]

Carrie Fisher was the ABSOLUTE best presenter for this performance :)

[@TheOlympicBanana]

Even as a manipulative hallucination, Aaron Tveit still makes me swoon...

[@oak9789]

Its been a long time since a song knocked the wind out of me. This one did.

[@heartlandcutie13]

I love Gabe's character. He always has the best parts in songs, and I love the whole idea behind what his character is. I won't ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen the show, but the whole concept of his character is brilliant.

[@GlitteryandGirly]

aaron has an awesome smile!!!!!!

[@breezingby2611]

Too many people are obsessing over Aaron Tveit and not giving enough credit to Alice Ripley and J. Robert Spencer

[@musicalmeg19]

Aaron is brilliant! Thank heavens he was in the Les Mis film and saved it a little bit!

[@Tenhearts11]

Damn. My heart when the guy says "I'm the one who's always there" makes me think about my friends who have been with me through the ups and downs

[@JustForFun215]

Omg ive loved Aaron since Rent and omg ive always loved next to normal and i abusltly loved his face at the end its just like " what can i say da woman loves me."

[@moonbeam9870]

This is so well acted and sung. As a person who has experienced mental health issues caused by trauma this really made me cry. The total misunderstanding of each person’s view of the world is heart breaking because both are good and doing just the best the can but it is not enough

[@lizzybeth007]

End of 2021 and this is still my favorite tony performance

[@hogrireda]

Amazingly powerful performance. When the three of them sing at the same time at the end it gave me goosebumps

[@maddilew15]

DAMN, Aaron.

[@Amandapanda1553]

OMG!!!! Aaron is sooo hot in this play!!!! Love his character!

[@elliekorman2618]

Aaron tviet's (gabe's) Shirt color matches the person who he is trying to communicate with.

[@LaurenOrion]

Aaron is so great

[@richmeisterg]

I remember having a long/bad day when the Tony Awards came on in 2009 and I had the t.v. on while unpacking my car and they started the performance from Next to Normal. I stopped what I was doing to listen to it as it had caught my attention.

[@mamachix16]

Aaron Tveit, holy mother of god. His Voice!

[@MelvinLozada]

Me and my best friend can't stop singing both songs.

[@redpandachannel4534]

Thanks to this video I fell in love with Aaron Tveit

[@coolboy1808]

Let her know that i think she is doing a WONDERFUL job portraying that character. One of my family members has that disorder and it just blows me away on how well Alice does getting so into character.

[@alexs.3383]

this tony performance goes HARD

[@ClaireSamuelsVA]

Unbelievably phenomenal. Everyone really brought their A-game for this performance.

[@crs0831]

[@jorgie122]

the lyrics are unbelievable. only enhanced by the amazing music. god i need to see this show.

[@mrjcb91]

Imagine the dark places Alice must of gone to be able to portray Diana, its some beautiful acting

[@LIBeachcub]

This small clip is what sold me on seeing the show, -8 months later! What an amazing performance!

[@paramitch]

I love this Tony performance, which is fantastic, I just wonder if Alice couldn't hear the music, because she's several beats off for the first quarter of the song or so. It doesn't affect things too much, mostly because she's fantastic anyway, but it is noticeable, so I always wondered. I also wondered why (if it was played live) the conductor didn't slow things down to match her. But a great performance, and still one of my all-time favorite shows.

[@comsatteur6893]

I think if Lady Gaga were to do musical theatre, this would be the perfect role for her. She has a gritty rock star voice, brought up on classical music, and is an advocate of mental health.

[@Blue-xt7kc]

I agree, maybe when she is older. Lady gaga is only 34, so maybe she should wait a while, because I think part of the pain is show in the fact how aged it seems the actress is.

[@onethousandsteps]

alice ripley is SUCH an incredible performer... a superb actress with a phenomenal voice. what's not to love? I was SO happy she won best actress; she absolutely deserved it.

[@enigma1326]

I love Aaron' Teveit's voice here....I wanted him to bring it to Les Mis

[@romezele]

Alice Ripley is an icon and her voice is encaptures me

[@TheZeitergeist3]

5:10-5:30 is just wow...

[@hpfangirl721]

OMG!!! I JUST saw Aaron Tveit in Seattle in Catch Me if You Can!!!

[@thatblerdoverthereb9654]

This show hits me so deep, it's the first time I saw someone truly loving someone in dire mental illness.

[@alexs.3383]

'I Am the One' is the biggest bop. Sorry guys, I don't make the rules.

[@MiggsPhx267]

5:17-5:20 that chord is so built up and insane--awesome...wonderful performance.