NEXT TO NORMAL 1 | Let There Be Light thru Perfect For You
Added 2025-07-16 03:53:16 +0000 UTC(Let There Be Light/Just Another Day/Everything Else/More and More and More/The Cavalry/Who's Crazy/Perfect For You)
WARNING: This is the second heaviest thing I've ever recorded for this channel. CW - Mental health, medication, medical trauma
Comments
so in the mid-late aughts I was in the online broadway/musical fandom space, and there was a bootlegged live audio recording of one of the early workshop versions of this show (with Anthony Rapp as the doctor and Annaleigh Ashford as Natalie) when it was still called "Feeling Electric" that did the rounds in my social circle. It was a lot messier and Natalie was an ENTIRELY different character (trouble child doing drugs and skipping class, not overachiever) but it was... raw. My friends were all mentally ill queer young adults at the time and that show WRECKED all of us but in a very cathartic way, and that was just listening to a mediocre bootleg audio recording, not even seeing it. Despite how good Next to Normal is I really had to take time to warm up to it because it felt TOO polished and cleaned up for the story, and the raw messy work-in-progress version had felt so real on so many levels and I'd had it for YEARS before Next to Normal made it to the stage. That said, I think the way the finished product actually works even better BECAUSE of the artistic polish is when you have actors who can really emotionally dig into the gust of their characters and then pull them out to show us, essentially. And this cast does that in spades.
Magnus Taliesin
2025-09-17 16:37:27 +0000 UTCRewatching the reaction and sad it won't continue but I can understand why, it is a heavy musical and a hard watch. I would say you are over the most triggering points now though and hope you come back one day to it
Trash Goblin
2025-09-15 11:13:38 +0000 UTCOne thing I think we lose with cleaning up the language in this version is another reason Natalie is so stressed. In the original cast recording she says "you got your full ride, and your early admit. So you're done with this school, and all of this shit" but I don't think you get the scholarship detail in this version. Basically she's getting early admittance to an ivy league school and is already feeling the pressure to maintain her school performance so she doesn't lose the scholarship she views as her ticket out. That's why she's so stressed out even when the year has just started
tilseptemberends
2025-09-05 05:26:42 +0000 UTCOnce you're done, there's a ton of people's favorite moment compilations on YouTube. I've seen a ton of stuff I missed on my first watch because it's in the background.
Kerri Kortness
2025-08-05 18:02:34 +0000 UTCI don't think this will be anything spoiler, but there a specific reprise that I am just chomping at the bit for you to get to.
Kerri Kortness
2025-08-05 12:56:46 +0000 UTCjust started the video. super excited to watchi this. But had to comment because "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" coming up on my broadway Pandora is also literally how i discovered this show. And for a LONG time it was the only song I knew from it because after reading a brief summary i decided the show wasn't for me. I have obviously since watched it, and am glad for it. I think it's funny that it was THAT song on Pandora for both of us. heck yeah.
Anna Stachia
2025-08-03 03:57:59 +0000 UTCThis cast and production is SO GOOD.
Hanon Ondricek
2025-07-26 23:43:09 +0000 UTCPerfect for You ranks in my top three all time favorite love songs. I adore it so much
logicaldreamer
2025-07-20 03:27:31 +0000 UTCLove the reaction but also oh geez, stopping there makes me so nervous for spoilers 😬
Makayla
2025-07-19 02:23:19 +0000 UTCSO thrilled to see you reacting to this! This is easily one of my favorite musicals of all time, and I'm loving how the proshot is bringing more people's eyes to it.
Icarus falling
2025-07-18 04:18:33 +0000 UTCoooooooh babyyyy i cannot WAIT to see his reaction to I'm alive!!
Chris
2025-07-18 00:02:19 +0000 UTCGonna be coming back to this like every day until he does the next up
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-07-17 22:58:31 +0000 UTCI listened to this show constantly throughout middle school and it contributed so much to who i am.
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-07-17 22:27:40 +0000 UTCThat's fair. I've edited my comment to remove some of the more specific personal stuff, and I certainly don't expect a response. I agree with what Mortius said in the reaction, that this particular aspect doesn't get talked about enough, but can also appreciate that the comments section of a patreon video may not be the best place to do that, especially given that it's a platform that doesn't support spoiler tags and content warnings.
Smee
2025-07-17 21:51:00 +0000 UTCoof. I see a few people commenting very heavy and personal stuff. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I hope you don't feel compelled to respond because it's not fair to put that on you. It feels callous to call it trauma dumping but I don't know how else to put it. I know just watching this show is heavy enough. We don't need to add to it.
TiaMattia2
2025-07-17 20:38:49 +0000 UTCIt truly only gets heavier as it goes on. This show is so beautiful, but also relentless with its message and its dedication to showing how deep mental health struggles can really go. N2N is one of my all time favorite shows and I’m so excited to see the rest of this reaction and what you think! Also, the fact that you get to watch this particular production is icing on the cake. Take care of yourself!
Ashley D
2025-07-17 15:50:18 +0000 UTCSo excited for 👁️❤️⛰️
Venom
2025-07-17 13:23:31 +0000 UTC"Patient stable" is a gunshot of a line. The way two words can say SO MUCH about the establishment and social expectations and the price we pay. The intersection of medications and sexuality is also such a complicated trigger for anyone who has both sexual trauma and an affective disorder. For the longest time my asexuality was blamed on either the depression itself or the meds I was taking for it. For me, "Whether that's the medicine or the marriage is anybody's guess" "I'm sure it's the medicine" is another exchange that makes me want to throw something at Dr Fine.
Smee
2025-07-17 12:24:53 +0000 UTCneeded this fr
Elle
2025-07-17 04:40:00 +0000 UTCI’m gathering that the discord (which I tend to get overwhelmed by) was talking about N2N incessantly. Maybe I should try to interact there again 🙂
Bennett
2025-07-17 01:59:49 +0000 UTCOh my god?! I’m actually going to cry. I messaged one of your mods about you watching this and never heard back, so I gave up hope for a while. I have never been more excited for one of your reactions. I’m about to start watching, but thank you, from the bottom of my heart. This show is life changing.
Bennett
2025-07-17 01:38:22 +0000 UTCWelcome back! Glad things have settled for you!
Mortius
2025-07-17 00:02:14 +0000 UTCI had to unsubscribe from the Patreon a while back (moving is expensive lmao) but I have been desperately hoping you would react to this proshot practically since I watched it myself so this was a perfect motivator to get me back on lol
Fae
2025-07-16 21:58:54 +0000 UTCThis is one of my fav musical productions to come out in the past few years it’s so incredible!!! I cried so hard at this, you’re in for a emotional rollercoaster for sure
Corvidead
2025-07-16 19:53:40 +0000 UTCCompletely unrelated to your comment: yt-dlp is a magical piece of software, that more people should know about.
Vittelius
2025-07-16 18:44:56 +0000 UTCEverything else is part of my daughters auditions songs
Liz Lilliman
2025-07-16 17:42:14 +0000 UTCOh! This is the first musical series I'll be truly watching for the first time alongside your reactions. This will be an interesting ride for sure
Averie-in-reverie
2025-07-16 16:24:40 +0000 UTCBut on a serious note, please make sure to take care of yourself while watching because this is definitely a heavier show with a lot of painful themes I think you’ll pick up
Megan Smith
2025-07-16 15:22:38 +0000 UTCTHE WAY I JUST JUMPED IN PLACE WHEN I SAW THIS ON MY FEED OMG THIS HAS BEEN MY HYPERFIXATION THE PAST MONTH I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOUR REACTION, BE PREPARED FOR THE FEELS
Megan Smith
2025-07-16 15:21:46 +0000 UTCBTW! This one you might have to be a bit quicker with, the PBS proshot is only available until August I think? Or maybe it was Early july and now it’s paid? Unsure but it wont be around forever unless you find a way to download or pirate it
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-07-16 15:15:13 +0000 UTC…Borthday song? /j
Mortius
2025-07-16 14:09:42 +0000 UTCGenuinely never been more excited for you to react to anything! I love this show with my whole heart, especially the new version.
The Wizard Song
2025-07-16 14:09:05 +0000 UTCCame back to re-watch this bc I have genuinely been HOPING you'd do it. I have been a fan of this musical since 09, and am so thrilled to have a newer version without Alice 💕 I have so many thoughts and feelings and I am trying so hard to not be annoying by over commenting 😅
Shiloh
2025-07-16 14:07:17 +0000 UTCI might have to check next Im on my laptop then. Unless this Im blind i dont see it on the phone app. But thank you. Ill keep an eye out.
Seraphina Stardust
2025-07-16 13:14:26 +0000 UTCLet’s go! Excited to see you experience this emotional rollercoaster of a musical. It’s definitely a heavy ride, but it’s amazing. It’s cool to see how much you’ve connected to it so far, and I second the suggestion to take breaks when you need to.
NiamhJP03
2025-07-16 13:04:09 +0000 UTCIt is actually really easy: settings, connected apps
Phoenix Mackenzie
2025-07-16 12:28:04 +0000 UTCIf there is anything of Epic here, Epic lifted it from this show. Next to Normal came first.
Ratatosk Clarke
2025-07-16 12:02:04 +0000 UTCFINALLY
Nicholas Hambruch
2025-07-16 09:38:59 +0000 UTCNext to Normal is a beautiful and poignant show but yes very heavy thematically. Take care of your own mental state as well 💜 This was a very heartfelt reaction.
Mahkia
2025-07-16 09:01:56 +0000 UTCHonestly? Can’t wait for you to get to everything from 🫵🤷🏻♀️ through 💄🫵🧠. It’s my favorite sequence of songs in any musical ever.
Lindsey
2025-07-16 08:57:15 +0000 UTCI only know Perfect for You and its Reprise because of animatic artists. Let's go. Personal information time: my parents were in the Dr. Fine office situation. Dad left Mom to do each appointment and take each pill, didn't support her emotionally at all. Mom got worse the more kids she had, but she dreamed of two boys and two girls. Dad did nothing but work when she had PPD, all four times, because if he didn't work, we wouldn't eat. I remember going with her to appointments and being sad for her as a kid, because schizophrenia sounded like a curse from another planet that had been placed on her. I never knew if Mom didn't drive because she didn't want to, it was too expensive or because her mental state forbade it. I don't know if her conditions passed down to me, but I won't have kids or drive. For other peoples' sakes and mine. Mom passed from lung cancer in 2009, but I wish she had gotten adequate help from doctors and medicines in 2025. Her quality of life might have been better, I might've been brave enough to tell her that she had three sons instead of two. 'Patient stable?' I went from reminiscing and sad to livid. What a disgusting opinion from someone who should be helping people. Him being called Fine is perfect because that's a state of being that lives on a blade's edge. One touch can throw you over either side.
Kory Misun
2025-07-16 08:52:17 +0000 UTCI haven’t watched this yet, but please take care of yourself and take lots of breaks ❤️ This is one of my favorite shows, but also the hardest for me to revisit. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my early teens and so much of it hits painfully close to home. I’ve never felt quite as seen, validated, and attacked by a show all at once. It has had a profound, positive impact on my life and my mental health journey, but god is it heavy.
Lindsey
2025-07-16 08:39:27 +0000 UTCIt's also really important to remember that this show was written in 2009 - when mental health in general was a lot more misunderstood. For a lot of people watching it would have been one of the first times they saw mental health issues depicted in this way
Cara Griffiths
2025-07-16 08:31:22 +0000 UTCLETS GO LETS GO LETS GOOOOO
Quinn Cunningham
2025-07-16 08:01:28 +0000 UTCOkay, now that I’ve watched it, I think we need to warn you that this show will get a lot worse/emotional than it already is. It is heartbreaking, but also kinda hopeful. But yes it is extremely real and triggering if you went through something similar. (Hope this is not to spoilery) And we would love your reaction, but please, do it in your own pace. If it gets to much, take a break
Jemina_Monster
2025-07-16 08:00:53 +0000 UTCBest surprise video! Will rearrange my morning now to watch it right now. It is one of my favorite shows and this production is even better than the earlier ones (even though the original cast is also amazing).
Jemina_Monster
2025-07-16 06:49:11 +0000 UTCThis is giving me inspiration to do more poetry. I found 63 from 2y where no one, not even myself saw my own mental health declining, and I found a way to share it, unashamedly. But now, this wants me to almost try writing in the childhood Ive 99% dissociated from and write about that. Or find a way to incorporate in my narrative fantasy land writing. Dude, mortius, im doing my morning stretches before i walk my treadmill to do creative work on my laptop, and you might have, untintentionally convinced to stop early before I lose my inspiration. Hope I find this musical on a service I use.
Seraphina Stardust
2025-07-16 06:33:45 +0000 UTCThis is my favourite musical of all time I am so happy. Plus one of the best casts ever, they are all SO GOOD. I saw this show in the west end twice I love it so much
Cara Griffiths
2025-07-16 06:32:29 +0000 UTCThe way I just started a reaction channel with this musical and was like huh I wonder if mortius has seen it
Graves Edgar
2025-07-16 06:23:37 +0000 UTComg mortius i literally JUST watched this show for the first time earlier today this timing is INSANE, it made me cry multiple times and i’ve already decided to watch it again on my next day off from work, so excited to see your thoughts on it!!
ariona leilani
2025-07-16 06:15:15 +0000 UTCI was die hard into this musical in like 2010 lol haven’t listened to it in ages and love it’s getting back into popular mode. It’s so brilliant. And so intense. And so beautiful. So stoked and scared to get into this haha 😂
Broody Gaming
2025-07-16 06:13:54 +0000 UTCU say easy to connect my patreon to discord... i barely understand the messaging let alone the creator side of thing -nervous laugh- [ i have a dead line on my phone and cant emoji] one day i will figure it out all things considered. Might just take my adhd srlf another 5y
Seraphina Stardust
2025-07-16 06:02:59 +0000 UTCI'm very excited to see you reacting to this show, it's possibly my favorite musical (the top spot tends to flip back and forth), and this production puts so many wonderful twists and elements that serve the show amazingly. I will warn (like I'm sure lots of other people have said lol) that this show is going to keep getting darker for a good bit- though I'd say it ultimately has a hopeful ending- so please take care of yourself. This show may not end up being one you'll want to binge through- I've seen it numerous times and with this proshot specifically I had to pause and come back to it multiple times (which I do say as a compliment to how well they execute some of these topics). It's a hard show, but also very funny and very important. Thrilled you're watching it and I hope you end up enjoying it !
S.E.W.
2025-07-16 05:09:04 +0000 UTCSo thrilled about this. Next To Normal was one of the very first musicals i listened to and is one of my absolute favorites! I am excited to see more of your reactions to it!
Tori James Art
2025-07-16 05:00:45 +0000 UTCI am so unbelievably excited for this!! Especially the PBS Proshot was an amazing production!!
Ashley Steinbrecher
2025-07-16 04:59:18 +0000 UTCI’m so excited for this! This has quickly become one of my favorite shows. Please take care of yourself when watching because it does get very dark and heavy. Can’t wait to see the rest of your reactions
Kalyssa Pottgeiser
2025-07-16 04:49:16 +0000 UTCCommenting as I watch this but after that superhero comment I thought you might be interested to know that Tom Kitt (one of the N2N writers) actually does have a musical called Superhero
playing-the-Lady-Rebel
2025-07-16 04:48:37 +0000 UTCWe’re all excited for 🎂 right?
playing-the-Lady-Rebel
2025-07-16 04:44:42 +0000 UTCYes, yes, yes! So happy you are doing this, Mortius!
Anna Schmidt Meum
2025-07-16 04:39:07 +0000 UTCOh this is my favorite musical!
playing-the-Lady-Rebel
2025-07-16 04:37:54 +0000 UTCNext to Normal woooo! I love this show!
azazelisawesome
2025-07-16 04:28:02 +0000 UTCWho's crazy (mpandi) hitting is real bc the world deciding that feeling nothing at all is the "stable" option has led so many people away from seeking help and med management. It only gets heavier from here, but you're not alone!
Shiloh
2025-07-16 04:26:48 +0000 UTCJust slight warning, this show does really get dark near the end of act 1. This is honestly one of my favourite musicals ever! Can’t wait for the reaction about the twist 😁😁
Adam_bongo
2025-07-16 04:06:58 +0000 UTCExcited to watch this for the first time with Mortius!
Jacob Morton_
2025-07-16 04:06:46 +0000 UTCI cannot tell you how excited i am. I watched this show live at my local community theatre without knowing anything, and i left a changed woman. I am so happy you are doing this, and i cant wait to see if you respond as i did
Evelyn Martin
2025-07-16 04:04:47 +0000 UTCWhy do you have a completely different username on every possible platform 🤣 /lh
Mortius
2025-07-16 03:57:03 +0000 UTCTo those wondering, I am the Percy mentioned 😅😅
AzaleaLove
2025-07-16 03:56:32 +0000 UTCOMG IM SO EXCITED!! This has become one of, if not my favorite musical and I was SO SO SO hoping you’d watch it.
Amelis 3000
2025-07-16 03:56:03 +0000 UTCCHAT WE WON
Shiloh
2025-07-16 03:55:58 +0000 UTCAlso, if you wanted a link to the other reaction series I mention in the video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwz-_TXNWJL5vVLHdAi5ZE1j49U08dTB6
Mortius
2025-07-16 03:55:23 +0000 UTCOmg omg omg omg omg omg yes yes. Omg I’m freaking out. Yes yes MORTIUS. YES.
EepLeep
2025-07-16 03:55:18 +0000 UTC
