Brian Yorkey News

From the opening piano riff, a driving and intense, yet somehow melodic, progression, the Irish Classical Theatre Company's production of Next to Normal is arresting, poignant, and emotionally charged.

The spirit and generosity of the theatre community once again shined as brightly as the autumn sun as the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction blew past all previous record totals to raise a spectacular $681,892 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Jonathan Whitton (Bistro & MAC Award Winner, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH) returns to the solo concert stage with an intimate concert series, THE FREE RESIDENCY. All performances are presented by Don't Tell Mama at no cover charge.

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed ALLIANCE THEATRE will stage the multi-award-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal-the production's first run for Atlanta audiences. Next to Normal is the gripping story of a suburban family coping with the affects of mental illness. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the rehearsal photos below.

In just three days, Times Square will turn into every theatre lover's dream as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. The all day, outdoor extravaganza features celebrities from Broadway's biggest shows, live and silent auctions with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive backstage access, and one-of-a-kind theatre treasures. As usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be streaming live video from the Grand Auction. Check back on Sunday for full details!

Continuing its commitment to nurturing and producing the next generation of musical theatre artists, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has awarded its first annual Donna Perret Rosen Award for excellence in musical theatre to composer/lyricist Adam Gwon. The $10,000 award was established at the off-Broadway company's 2011 gala to honor Second Stage Theatre trustee Donna Perret Rosen in recognition of her long-standing commitment to young artists and new works. The award was chosen by Tony Award winners James Lapine, Susan Stroman, and Jack Viertel.

BWW is thrilled to talk to Kate Swan, Artistic Director at 4th Wall Theatre and the person behind the reins of the company's 16th season opener NEXT TO NORMAL, as well as the actors portraying the family in this drama.

Returning home for its first local Seattle production, the Tony Award-winning rock musical Next to Normal will be co-produced in February 2013 by award-winning companies Balagan Theatre and Contemporary Classics. Starring in the pivotal leading role will be one of Seattle's most regarded actors, Marya Sea Kaminski, in her first musical.

Next to Normal is coming to Sydney for a strictly limited season playing at the Capitol Theatre from tonight, 13 September to 7 October 2012. Director Tyran Parke today announced the cast who will perform in this groundbreaking musical that follows the life of the Goodman's - who seem like a perfect family. The musical, with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, stars Ian Stenlake, Bobby Fox, Dash Kruk, Michelle Doake, Ross Hannaford and Erica Lovell.

James Barry of Broadway's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON opens in Arden Theatre's NEXT TO NORMAL as husband and father Dan. He muses on his unexpected musical theatre career and the importance of Yorkey's writing.

Opening Mixed Blood Theatre's 37th season is the winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama, NEXT TO NORMAL, described as 'a breathtaking rock production that reveals one family's struggle with mental illness.' Artistic Director Jack Reuler directs the powerhouse musical, which was also nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, opens October 5 and runs through November 11 at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre on the West Bank, 1501 S. Fourth St. in Minneapolis.

The 2012-2013 Season will be one of great transformation as Southern Rep Theatre takes on its role as the Contemporary Arts Center's Theatre in Residence! Southern Rep is thrilled to embark on another season full of new plays, exciting collaborative productions, and thrilling surprises at our new venue.

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's Award-Winning Professional Theatre Company, is pleased to announce the 2012/2013 MainStage Season. Between October 2012 and May 2013, MTCMainStage will present three fully-staged professional productions, each running for three weeks: 'Next to Normal,' 'Ancestral Voices' and 'The Cole Porter Project.'

Musically Human Theatre Productions (David Norwood & Aaron Pratt, Co-Producing Artistic Directors / Matthew Wright, Managing Director) have announced their upcoming 2012/2013 season, which includes a new, intimate production of the Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Next to Normal and the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival critic's pick, Time Between Us.