Next To Normal is an intimate exploration of family and loss. At its heart is Diana Goodman, a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder and haunted by her past. Donmar Artistic Director Michael Longhurst directs this powerful rock musical about a far‑from‑average family.
If not already obvious, every performer on stage gives a strong performance. With a cult following and complex subject matter, it's a difficult musical to bring to the stage, but they do it with grace and ease, aided by direction from Michael Longhurst. The cast is as strong vocally as they are within their acting, giving justice to the punchy score.
The subject matter is of course not for everyone, and some are sure to be triggered, but with one in four of us experiencing some form of mental health problem every year, it is only right that such a production is afforded a platform of this scale. Some might long for a little more subtext and others might suggest the musical is a tad too long. Act One feels tighter whereas Act Two at times lingers. The climax makes up for this with Light. The closing number is optimistic while refusing to shy away from the darkness; it encapsulates this timely and unique musical.
| 2008 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
| 2009 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2010 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
| 2010 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
| 2013 |
Weston Playhouse Production |
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| 2020 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Production Washington, DC (Regional) |
| 2024 | West End |
West End |
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