next to normal - 2009

MUSIC: Tom Kitt
BOOK & LYRICS: Brian Yorkey

NEXT TO NORMAL started life in Spring of 1998 with the title Feeling Electric and soon became one of the most popular shows on Broadway. The powerful show tells the story
of Diana, an average suburban mother, who has a mental breakdown. It looks at how this affects her, the causes, and the effect it has on the rest of her small family.

Next To Normal took almost ten years getting to Broadway, with several re-writes - including the addition of Natalie's boyfriend Henry, and cutting the doctors from five to two - played by one actor. The show is perhaps even more effective because of its small cast - there are only six actors playing seven roles, as well as an onstage orchestra, which is cleverly placed in the "attic" of the three-storey set.

At the 2009 Tony Awards, Next To Normal was nominated eleven times, and won three
categories, including Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Musical which was won
by Alice Ripley for her portrayal of Diana. The show also won for Best Original Score and
Best Orchestrations for which it tied with another Broadway smash - Billy Elliot.