Next to Normal by Tom Kitt focuses in on a seemingly average, white, suburban, american family. Husband, wife, son, daughter. However, the mother suffers from sever bipolar depression that causes hallucinations. The musical centers in on the family trying to navigate Dianna’s rough mental state. Each character has their own way of handling the illness and by the end you have seen the effects it has taken on the entire family.
This musical is not your average “lets talk about mental health” entertainment. There is not a significantly happy ending. This musical is raw, emotional and all together heart breaking. It does not try to sugar coat the disease with songs about how someone will always want to help you. it is real and it is raw and beyond that, it is set to a rock opera score so like, totally BA. Plus Aaron Tveit’s voice is perfect.
See the original Broadway cast perform at the 2009 Tony Awards here.
This is the musical that helped me discover that theater can be about real issues. It was the show that made me realize that the true art of theater is the ability to address real world problems. Yes, theater is entertaining, but when it can SAY SOMETHING as well, that is the moment I personally believe it surpasses entertainment and becomes art.
Theater Talk with Sarah 