The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Next to Normal" is a Broadway hit that explores the topic of mental illness. It's a deeply moving story that, despite its serious subject matter, conveys hope and leaves room for laughter.
Next to Normal belongs to the new type of musical that has emerged from the American pop and rock tradition. The musical won three Tony Awards at its world premiere and has since been widely performed around the world. "I Miss the Mountains" is the musical's biggest hit, a poignant song about longing to feel genuine emotions.
Almost normal
We meet the Goodman family, who live a normal middle-class life. Or, almost normal, because the mother, Diana, has been struggling with her bipolar disorder for many years, which shapes their lives. Her husband, Dan, tries to hold the family together and manage their daily life as best he can.
The daughter, Natalie, feels abandoned and invisible, living in the shadow of the "favorite child," Gabe, whom she can never measure up to. She finds a boyfriend who becomes a support, but soon he too is involved in the family's complicated life.
When Diana has a breakdown and goes through a series of treatments, the family is forced to confront their fears. They try to support each other, but beneath the surface lies a suppressed trauma that is buried deep and affects them all.
Musical veterans
The production is directed by Malmö's musical king, Ronny Danielsson. On stage, we see some real musical veterans, audience favorites that Malmö Opera's audience has seen many times: Åsa Fång, Oscar Pierrou Lindén, Rolf Lydahl, Rasmus Mononen, Michael Jansson, and Kerstin Hilldén, who is currently enjoying success as Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" at the Gothenburg Opera.
Laughter and tears
Next to Normal oscillates between twisted family drama à la Woody Allen and poignant representation of an important topic. Without moralizing or offering simple explanations, the musical offers hope and room for both laughter and tears.
It's an intimate relationship drama, and to get really close to the audience, it's performed far forward on stage, extending out over the orchestra pit.
Universal theme
It's a musical that many people can relate to. We all, in one way or another, come into contact with mental illness and trauma in our lives, either ourselves or through friends and family.
"All people, regardless of who they are, can find common ground in this musical. We have all been let down, we may have lost someone or experienced traumatic events that shape us. That's what makes it so striking." - Rolf Lydahl
