There's also a professional production of Next To Normal happening in Boston right now as well. Though I doubt that was really a consideration in the planning for the concert. (And for that matter, the Boston professional premiere of A Strange Loop just recently closed, and we also had the professional area premiere of The Band's Visit earlier in the year.)
Another consideration might have been that the rhythm-section oriented Next To Normal wouldn't have been the best showcase for the Pops orchestra, even in adaptation. (Most of the songs were newly orchestrated, or at least expanded, for the event.) |