I saw the new original musical
If/Then on Broadway two years ago, written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (who also wrote
Next to Normal), directed by Michael Greif (who also directed
RENT), and reuniting
RENT's original Maureen and Mark, Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp. While it doesn't match the brilliance of the Pulitzer Prize winners
Next to Normal and
RENT (both tough acts to follow), it is wonderful to see a new, original, ambitious, modern, grown-up musical on Broadway.
Seeing it on tour last night (sans Idina but still starring the wonderful Anthony), I find I enjoyed it even more the second time around. Exploring intriguing themes of fate, chance, and choice, it's about how one seemingly insignificant choice can change our lives in ways we can never comprehend. And while it can be fun, or devastating, to wonder "What If?" as this musical does, at the end of the day we are where we are in life for whatever culmination of reasons. This is the life we have to live, and the characters in this musical, despite their flaws, do it to the fullest. The messages "no day but today" from
RENT and "the price of love is loss, but still we pay, we love anyway" from
Next to Normal are both present in this exciting new work.
