Next to Normal is an American rock musical with lyrics and book by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The show opened on Broadway on April 15, 2009, and eventually closed on January 16, 2011, after 21 previews and 733 regular performances. During its run on Broadway, Next to Normal earned a total gross amount (the total amount of your earnings before any taxes are taken out) of $31,764,486.00. The show premiered in London on June 26, 2024, and eventually closed on September 21, 2024. The show was nominated for ELEVEN Tony Awards. The show went on to win three of the awards: Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley as Diana). A Pro-shot of the 2024 West End production was broadcast on PBS on May 9th, 2025, at 9 P.M., and was released onto the PBS app and website on the same day. The Pro-shot will be available on the app until June 30, 2025. On May 21st, 2025, Caissie Levy, who plays Diana, posted a screenshot of a Spotify countdown, revealing that the Next to Normal (Original London Cast Recording) was released on May 30th, 2025.

Next to Normal tells the story of a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that her treatments and management of her illness have on her family as her past haunts her. The production features Caissie Levy as Diana, Jamie Parker as Dan, Jack Wolfe as Gabe, Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Natalie, Trevor Dion Nicholas as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, and Jack Ofrecio as Henry. Before watching, there are a few trigger warnings to consider. These include: attempted suicide, drug use, death of a child, mental illness, and electroshock therapy.

Track List:

Next to Normal, similarly to Falsettos, is a musical that explores difficult topics, such as death, suicide, and mental health in a respectful and meaningful way. Through its character development, all of the characters feel real and well-rounded, immersing me in the experience. All of the dialogue feels real and authentic to how a family would speak too, adding to its realness. Throughout my first, and second… and third watch of the pro-shot, I was fully drawn into the experience, leaving me in tears by the final song every time. I was originally introduced to this musical through a TikTok that featured “Superboy and the Invisible Girl,” and I instantly fell in love with it. This led me down a rabbit hole of the musical, its productions, which eventually led me to finding another TikTok discussing the upcoming release of a pro-shot. The show’s way of exploring heavy topics of death, regret, and togetherness is tied perfectly with the comedy and humor used throughout. The characters interactions truly speak to each motive that they are trying to complete, and how their distance from one another prevents them from achieving their goals. One of my favorite tracks, “Just Another Day,” opens the show up with an immediate hit, letting the audience get a glimpse into what is going to come, especially with the ending, as seen in the pro-shot, of Diana making sandwiches on the kitchen floor as she sings about how the house seems like it’s spinning. The way each actor’s voice blends together creates such a pleasant experience for the listener. I especially enjoy how they blend so well while still being able to hear each person’s distinct voice. Similarly, there are so many small details in the music, such as Diana and Natalie not harmonizing “well” throughout the show until “Maybe (Next to Normal)” as they finally make their connection and Diana begins to see Natalie, showing their resolvement of the conflict between them. The small details, such as the music or parallels throughout the show is truly what makes it shine.

If I were cast in this musical, I would love to play the role of Diana. Her character perfectly balances drama, humor, and emotional depth. Her character goes through a rollercoaster of events, through grief, anxiety, and resilience. This makes her such a deeply layered character. Songs like “I Miss the Mountains” and “Didn’t I See This Movie” allow her to showcase her emotional depth throughout the story, such as her longing for the ups and downs of life and her refusal to get the help she needs, respectively. Vocally, she requires really strong control, blending, and raw emotion. Her story is not an easy one to express; however, her development and eventual acceptance of her past is such a beautiful tale to see unfold.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this musical to anyone interested in it, even if only slightly. If you’re someone who enjoys musicals that balance humor with deep, emotional storytelling, depictions of mental health in a respectful and powerful way, or how members of a dysfunctional family can come together and coexist, this musical would be an amazing addition to your list.