View source for Next to Normal

{{Short description|Broadway musical}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox musical
| name = Next to Normal
| subtitle = 
| image = Next_to_Normal_original_poster_art.jpg
| caption = Broadway promotional poster
| music = [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]]
| lyrics = [[Brian Yorkey]]
| book = Brian Yorkey
| basis = 
| productions = 2008 [[Off-Broadway]]<br />2008 [[Virginia]]<br />2009 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]<br />2010 U.S. tour<br />2023 [[Donmar Warehouse|London]]
<br />2024 [[Wyndham's Theatre|West End]]
| awards = [[Tony Award for Best Original Score]]<br />[[Pulitzer Prize for Drama]]
| image_size = 
}}
'''''Next to Normal''''' is a 2008 American [[rock musical]] with book and lyrics by [[Brian Yorkey]] and music by [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]]. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening [[bipolar disorder]] and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. The musical addresses [[grief]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]], [[suicide]], [[drug abuse]], [[Anti-psychiatry#Challenges to psychiatry|ethics in modern psychiatry]], and the underbelly of suburban life.

Before its [[Off-Broadway]] debut, ''Next to Normal'' received several workshop performances and won the [[Outer Critics Circle Award]] for Outstanding New Score and received [[Drama Desk Awards]] nominations for Outstanding Actress ([[Alice Ripley]]) and Outstanding Score. After its [[Off-Broadway]] run, the show played from November 2008 to January 2009 at the [[Arena Stage]] while the theater was in its temporary venue in [[Virginia]].

The musical opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven [[2009 Tony Awards|Tony Awards]] that year and won three: [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]], [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestration]], and [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical]] for Alice Ripley. It also won the 2010 [[Pulitzer Prize for Drama]], becoming the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |title=''Next to Normal'' Wins 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-wins-2010-pulitzer-prize-for-drama-com-167584 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=April 12, 2010}}</ref>

The first U.S. tour launched in November 2010, with Alice Ripley reprising her Broadway role; the tour concluded in July 2011. The Broadway production closed on January 16, 2011, after 20 previews and 734 regular performances. There have been numerous international productions.

==Plot==

===Act I===
Diana Goodman, a suburban mother with bipolar disorder, waits for her teenage son to return home after he has broken curfew. Diana's daughter Natalie is also awake completing her homework. Her son returns home and Diana's husband Dan wakes up, and the family prepares for the day ahead until Diana, disoriented, prepares sandwiches on every surface in the kitchen, including the floor ("Just Another Day").

Natalie, a pianist who has been accepted to the [[Yale School of Music]], laments the stress of being an overachiever while practicing for an upcoming recital in the school music room. She runs into her classmate Henry and they bond over their shared love of music ("Everything Else"). Diana regularly visits her psychiatrist Dr. Fine, who prescribes a series of medications to treat her bipolar disorder that all cause unpleasant side effects. Dan, waiting in the car, mourns the current state of his life and his and Diana's relationship. When Diana says her new medication makes her feel numb and emotionless, Dr. Fine declares her stable ("Who's Crazy?/My Psychopharmacologist and I").

Henry confesses his romantic feelings for Natalie and they start dating ("Perfect for You"). Diana mourns the full spectrum of emotions she once felt and flushes her medications at her son’s urging ("I Miss the Mountains"). Henry joins the family for dinner ("It's Gonna Be Good"), but when Diana brings out a cake for her son's 18th birthday, Dan gently reminds her that he died as an infant and her visions of him are delusions ("He's Not Here"). Diana reveals to Dan that she stopped taking her medication and tells him he will never understand the pain she feels. Dan begs her to help him understand, but Diana's vision of her son reappears and she runs to him instead ("You Don't Know"/"I Am the One"). Natalie vents to Henry about Diana's attachment to her firstborn child and their strained relationship ("Superboy and the Invisible Girl").

Diana visits a new psychiatrist, Dr. Madden, who agrees to start with talk therapy. Her son reappears and reasserts his control over Diana's life ("I'm Alive") Dr. Madden hypnotizes Diana; she opens up about her son's death and her relationship with Natalie, admitting she is a replacement child and Diana was unable to hold her in the hospital. Meanwhile, Natalie messes up her piano recital after realizing her parents are not there ("Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling"). Dr. Madden encourages Diana to begin getting rid of her son's things, and she has another vision of him ("I Dreamed a Dance"). He tells Diana the only way they can be reunited is if she is dead, and she attempts suicide ("There's a World"). 

Diana survives the suicide attempt, and Dr. Madden tells Dan that due to the severity of Diana's condition, [[electroconvulsive therapy]] is among the last treatment options left. Dan reminisces about their relationship and how he has stood by her through everything ("I've Been"), while Diana is furious at the suggestion she undergo ECT ("Didn't I See This Movie?") Dan convinces Diana that the treatment is a chance to get back to normal, and she reluctantly agrees ("A Light in the Dark").

===Act II===
Diana undergoes ECT, while Natalie experiments with drugs and frequently goes clubbing. The two have a shared hallucination ("Wish I Were Here"). When Diana is released from the hospital, she reveals that she has lost her memories from the past 19 years, including her son. Dan remains optimistic that her memories will return, while Natalie is upset her mother agreed to the treatment in the first place ("Song of Forgetting"). Henry, worried about Natalie's substance use and self-destruction, asks her to the upcoming school dance and she declines ("Hey #1).

Dr. Madden assures Dan that Diana's memory loss from ECT is normal. Dan is hesitant to remind her about their late son, given her mental illness first manifested after the trauma of his death ("Seconds and Years"). The family goes through old photo albums to jog Diana's memory, leaving out any mention of their firstborn ("Better Than Before"). Diana’s vision of her son appears and reminds her there is an important part of her life she has forgotten ("Aftershocks"). Henry again asks Natalie to the dance and she again declines, though he says he will come pick her up that night in case she changes her mind ("Hey #2").

At a follow-up visit, Diana tells Dr. Madden she knows there is something important from her past she still can't remember. Dr. Madden, unaware that Dan has been keeping it from her, accidentally reveals the existence of her dead son ("You Don't Know (Reprise)"). Diana returns home and finds her son's music box, and Dan reluctantly reminds her of the circumstances of his death at 8 months old from an intestinal blockage, which all the doctors had missed ("How Could I Ever Forget?") Confused, Diana says she remembers him as a teenager; they argue over Dan’s insistence that she undergo more ECT and his refusal to tell her their son’s name ("It's Gonna Be Good (Reprise)").

Diana asks Dan why he stays with her despite everything her illness has put him through. He reminds her of the vows he took when they married and promises he is committed to her no matter what. Henry, waiting to take Natalie to the dance, pledges the same to her ("Why Stay?/A Promise"). The vision of Diana's son reappears ("I'm Alive (Reprise)").

Diana visits Dr. Madden, frustrated that years of treatments haven't helped her and wondering if her grief over her son's death can even be treated ("The Break"). Dr. Madden unsuccessfully pleads with her to continue treatment ("Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling (Reprise)"). Diana and Natalie have a heart-to-heart, noting their similarities ("Maybe (Next to Normal)") Diana drives Natalie to the dance, where she frets to Henry that she will struggle with her mental health the same way as her mother. Henry promises he will stand by her regardless of what happens in the future ("Hey #3/Perfect for You (Reprise)").

Diana returns home and tells Dan though she loves him, she is leaving, as they each need to grieve their son on their own ("So Anyway"). After she leaves, a devastated Dan finally acknowledges the vision of his late son, and they embrace. For the first and only time in the show, Dan and Diana's son is called by his name: Gabe ("I Am the One (Reprise)").

Natalie returns home from the dance to find her mother gone and her father sitting in the dark. She turns on a lamp, telling Dan, "We need some light." Natalie continues her relationship with Henry, while Diana temporarily moves in with her parents. Dr. Madden recommends another psychiatrist to Dan, so he can begin his own journey of grieving Gabe's death. The cast, including Gabe, acknowledge the difficulty of moving forward but hopeful that they will adjust to the changes in their lives ("Light").

==Characters==
''Note: These descriptions come from the Characters section in the script.'' 
* Diana: "A suburban mother. Sharp. Delusional bipolar depressive. Thirties or forties."
* Gabe: "Diana's son who died as a baby. He comes back to her in visions as a teenager."
* Dan: "Diana's husband. Handsome. Genuine. Constant. Tired. Thirties or forties."
* Natalie: "Diana's daughter. Sixteen and trying to be perfect. It's not going well."
* Henry: "Musician. Romantic. Stoner. Slacker. Philosopher king. Seventeen."
* Doctor Madden: "On the young side of ageless. Assured. A rock star."
* Doctor Fine:  A Psychopharmacologist.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Next to normal|last=Kitt|first=Tom|date=2010|publisher=Theatre Communications Group|others=Yorkey, Brian., Rapp, Anthony.|isbn=9781559363709|edition= 1st|location=New York|oclc=456179050}}</ref>

==Musical numbers==
''Note: The song titles are not listed in the program''

=== 2008 Off-Broadway ===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
==== Act I ====
* "Prelude" – Orchestra
* "Preprise – Let There Be Light" – Dan, Natalie, Diana
* "Just Another Day" – Diana, Natalie, Gabe, Dan
* "Everything Else" – Natalie
* "More... And More... And More" – Diana, Natalie, Gabe, Henry, Doctor Madden
* "The Cavalry" – Dan
* "Who's Crazy"/"My Psychopharmacologist and I" – Dan, Doctor Fine, Diana
* "Perfect For You" – Henry, Natalie
* "I Miss the Mountains" – Diana
* "It's Gonna Be Good" – Dan, Natalie, Henry, Diana
* "He's Not Here" – Dan
* "You Don't Know" – Diana
* "I Am the One" – Dan, Gabe, Diana
* "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" – Natalie, Diana, Gabe
* "Open Your Eyes" – Doctor Madden
* "I'm Alive" – Gabe
* "Make Up Your Mind"/"Catch Me I'm Falling" – Doctor Madden, Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe, Henry
* "A Good Step" – Orchestra
* "I Dreamed a Dance" – Diana, Gabe
* "There's a World" – Gabe
* "In the Light" – Dan
* "E.C.T." – Orchestra
* "I've Been" – Dan, Gabe
* "Didn't I See This Movie?" – Diana
* "A Light in the Dark" – Dan, Diana
* "Feeling Electric" – Diana, Gabe, Dan, Doctor Madden, Natalie, Henry
{{col-break}}
==== Act II ====
* "Growing Up Unstable" – Natalie
* "Song of Forgetting" – Dan, Diana, Natalie
* "Hey #1" – Henry, Natalie
* "Seconds and Years" – Doctor Madden, Dan, Diana
* "Getting Better" – Doctor Madden, Diana, Natalie
* "Better Than Before" – Doctor Madden, Dan, Natalie, Diana
* "Aftershocks" – Gabe
* "Hey #2" – Henry, Natalie
* "You Don't Know" (Reprise) – Diana, Doctor Madden
* "Music Box" – Gabe
* "How Could I Ever Forget?" – Diana, Dan
* "It's Gonna Be Good" (Reprise) – Dan, Diana
* "Why Stay?"/"A Promise" – Diana, Natalie, Dan, Henry
* "I'm Alive" (Reprise) – Gabe
* "The Break" – Diana
* "Make Up Your Mind"/"Catch Me I'm Falling" (Reprise) – Doctor Madden, Diana, Gabe
* "Everything" – Diana, Natalie
* "Hey #3”/"Perfect For You" (Reprise) – Henry, Natalie
* "So Anyway" – Diana
* "I Am the One" (Reprise) – Dan, Gabe
* "Finale (Let There Be Light)" – Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe, Henry, Doctor Madden
{{col-end}}

=== 2009 Broadway ===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
==== Act I ====
* "Prelude" – Orchestra
* "Just Another Day" – Company
* "Everything Else" – Natalie
* "Who's Crazy"/"My Psychopharmacologist and I" – Dan, Diana, Doctor Fine, Company
* "Perfect for You" – Henry, Natalie
* "I Miss the Mountains" – Diana
* "It's Gonna Be Good" – Dan, Company
* "He's Not Here" – Dan
* "You Don't Know" – Diana
* "I Am the One" – Dan, Gabe, Diana
* "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" – Natalie, Diana, Gabe
* "I'm Alive" – Gabe
* "Make Up Your Mind"/"Catch Me I'm Falling" – Company
* "I Dreamed a Dance" – Diana, Gabe
* "There's a World" – Gabe
* "I've Been" – Dan, Gabe
* "Didn't I See This Movie?" – Diana
* "A Light in the Dark" – Dan, Diana
{{col-break}}

==== Act II ====
* "Wish I Were Here" – Diana, Natalie, Company
* "Song of Forgetting" – Dan, Diana, Natalie
* "Hey #1" – Henry, Natalie
* "Seconds and Years" – Doctor Madden, Dan, Diana
* "Better Than Before" – Doctor Madden, Dan, Natalie, Diana
* "Aftershocks" – Gabe, Diana
* "Hey #2" – Henry, Natalie
* "You Don't Know" (Reprise) – Diana, Doctor Madden
* "How Could I Ever Forget?" – Diana, Dan
* "It's Gonna Be Good" (Reprise) – Dan, Diana
* "Why Stay?"/"A Promise" – Diana, Natalie, Dan, Henry
* "I'm Alive" (Reprise) – Gabe
* "The Break" – Diana
* "Make Up Your Mind"/"Catch Me I'm Falling" (Reprise) – Doctor Madden, Diana, Gabe
* "Maybe (Next to Normal)" – Diana, Natalie
* "Hey #3"/"Perfect for You" (Reprise) – Henry, Natalie
* "So Anyway" – Diana
* "I Am the One" (Reprise) – Dan, Gabe
* "Light" – Company
{{col-end}}

==Cast Recordings==
On May 5 2009, Ghostlight Records Inc. released ''Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'' on streaming platforms and as a [[CD]], featuring the performers and orchestrations of the 2009 production.

For the show's 15th anniversary, the album was [[remaster|remastered]] with Tom Kitt's oversight, reusing the original vocal performances by the Broadway cast. <ref>{{cite web|last1=Culwell-Block|first1=Logan|title=Next to Normal Broadway Album Is Getting Remixed, Remastered Release; Get a 1st Listen to 'Light'|url=https://playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-broadway-album-is-getting-remixed-remastered-release-get-a-1st-listen-to-light|website=playbill.com|date=August 8, 2024|access-date=August 12, 2024}}</ref>

==Depiction of mental illness==

===Bipolar disorder===
{{main|Bipolar disorder}}
''Next to Normal'' follows the struggle of one woman, Diana Goodman, with mental illness and the effect of the illness on her whole family. In the second act, these effects are at times diminished and other times exacerbated by the fact that Diana additionally suffers memory loss following [[electroconvulsive therapy|electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hersh|first1=Julie|title=Is 'Next to Normal' Normal?|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/struck-living/201006/is-next-normal-normal|website=www.psychologytoday.com|access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> Kitt and Yorkey began writing the musical in 2002 and continued through 2008, but there have since been changes in the understanding and treatment of [[bipolar disorder|bipolar depressive disorder]]. In the show, Diana's doctor describes her as a "bipolar depressive with delusional episodes",<ref name="Tom Kitt 2009">Music by Tom Kitt, & Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey. (2009). ''Next to normal [Feeling Electric]''. New York, NY: Musical Theatre International.</ref> however, the most recent edition of the [[American Psychiatric Association]]'s [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]] (DSM) would now diagnose Diana as bipolar "with [[Psychosis|psychotic features]]",<ref>Glass, Guy. (2015). "[http://medhum.med.nyu.edu/view/16093 Next to Normal]". ''NYU Langone Health''.</ref> referring to the [[hallucination]]s she experiences, such as of her dead son Gabe in the form of a teenager. The disorder is also now separated into bipolar types I and II.

===Treatment===
{{main|Treatment of bipolar disorder}}
[[Bipolar disorder]] is a disorder of both [[mania]] (or [[hypomania]]) and depression that is not curable, mostly treated through psychopharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and biological means. First, are the [[Psychopharmacology|psychopharmacological therapies]], commonly known as [[Pharmacotherapy|drug therapies]], which involves the use of [[antipsychotic]], [[anticonvulsant]], and [[antidepressant]] medications, that aim to stabilize the patient's mood. Such drugs include [[Lithium (medication)|Lithium]], a mood stabilizer, [[Lorazepam|Ativan]] and [[Diazepam|Valium]], [[benzodiazepine]]s, all of which are mentioned in the lyrics, particularly in the song "My Psychopharmacologist and I", in which Diana is prescribed a plethora of different drugs at once, which are mentioned alongside their side-effects, ranging from drowsiness to [[sexual dysfunction]]. Another form of treatment the play explores is [[psychotherapy]], where patients talk to psychologists or other licensed mental health professionals and aim to work through the psychological component of their disease through conversation; Diana's psychiatrist leads her through a [[guided meditation]] or [[hypnotherapy|hypnotherapeutic]] approach. The third form addressed is [[Electroconvulsive therapy|electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)]] in which seizures are induced by sending an electric current through the brain. Following a suicide attempt, Diana is convinced to undergo ECT and then loses her memory (including her memory of Gabe), which she slowly gains back in talks with her family. ECT is often viewed as a last-resort option for depressed patients who are incredibly ill and extremely treatment-resistant or whose symptoms include very serious suicidal or psychotic symptoms, or for pregnant women.<ref>Hirschfeld, Robert, et al. Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder Second Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2002. Print.</ref> This practice holds true in the play, in which ECT is only recommended after Diana's hallucination of Gabe suggests that she kill herself in the song "There's a World".

==Productions==

===Development===
The musical began in 1998 as a 10-minute workshop sketch about a woman undergoing electroshock therapy, and its impact on her family, called ''Feeling Electric''.  Yorkey brought the idea to Kitt while both were at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.  Kitt wrote a rock score for the short piece, which was highly critical of the medical treatment.  Both Yorkey and Kitt turned to other projects, but they "kept returning to ''Feeling Electric''", eventually expanding it to a full-length musical.<ref name=Columbia>Getlin, Josh.  "The Ballad of Kitt &Yorkey", ''Columbia Magazine'', [[Columbia University]], Fall 2010, pp. 22–23</ref>  This had a reading in 2002 at [[Village Theatre]] in [[Issaquah, Washington]], then at several venues in New York City,<ref name=Columbia/> with a cast that included [[Norbert Leo Butz]] as Dan, [[Sherie Rene Scott]] as Diana, Benjamin Schrader as Gabe, Anya Singleton as Natalie and Greg Naughton as Dr. Madden. A subsequent staged reading was held in late 2002 at the Musical Mondays Theater Lab in New York.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=''Feeling Electric'', Butz and Larsen Sing Electro-Shock Therapy Musical Oct. 7 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/feeling-electric-butz-and-larsen-sing-electro-shock-therapy-musical-oct-7-com-108707 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=October 4, 2002}}</ref>

In 2005 it was workshopped again at [[Village Theatre]] starring [[Amy Spanger]] as Diana, Jason Collins as Dan, [[Mary Faber]] as Natalie and [[Deven May]] as Dr. Madden.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=Musical Workshop of ''Feeling Electric'', About a Frazzled Family, Stars a Bat Boy and a Lois Lane in Seattle |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/musical-workshop-of-feeling-electric-about-a-frazzled-family-stars-a-bat-boy-and-a-lois-lane-in-seattle-com-126595 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=June 21, 2005}}</ref>  In September 2005, the musical ran at the [[New York Musical Theatre Festival]], with Spanger as Diana, Joe Cassidy as Dan, [[Annaleigh Ashford]] as Natalie, Benjamin Schrader as Gabe and [[Anthony Rapp]] as Dr. Madden. This attracted the attention of producer [[David Stone (producer)|David Stone]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/rapp-spanger-help-spark-premiere-of-feeling-electric-sept-14-24-in-nymf-com-128006|title=Rapp & Spanger Help Spark Premiere of ''Feeling Electric'' Sept. 14-24 in NYMF|work=Playbill|date=September 14, 2005|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> [[Second Stage Theatre]] then workshopped the piece in both 2006 and 2007, featuring Cassidy and then [[Gregg Edelman]] as Dan, Alice Ripley as Diana, [[Mary Faber]] and then [[Phoebe Strole]] as Natalie, Rapp as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine and [[Skylar Astin]] as Henry.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} Meanwhile, at the urging of Stone and director [[Michael Greif]], who had joined the team, the creators focused the show on the family's pain rather than on the critique of the medical establishment.<ref name=Columbia/>

===Off-Broadway and Virginia (2008–09)===
''Next to Normal'' was first produced [[Off-Broadway]] at the Second Stage Theatre from January 16 through March 16, 2008, directed by Greif, with [[Anthony Rapp]] as assistant director and musical staging by [[Sergio Trujillo]]. The cast featured Ripley as Diana, [[Brian d'Arcy James]] as Dan, [[Aaron Tveit]] as Gabe, [[Jennifer Damiano]] as Natalie, [[Adam Chanler-Berat]] as Henry and [[Asa Somers]] as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. The surname of the family was changed from Brown to Goodman.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Ernio |title=New Musical ''Next to Normal'' Closes Off-Broadway March 16 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/new-musical-next-to-normal-closes-off-broadway-march-16-com-148437 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=March 16, 2008}}</ref>  Although the show received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web |last=Dziemianowicz |first=Joe |title=The high & low notes of a bipolar mom in 'Next to Normal' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/high-notes-bipolar-mom-normal-article-1.306721 |website=New York Daily News |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=February 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brantley |first=Ben |title=There, Amid the Music, a Mind Is on the Edge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/theater/reviews/14normal.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=February 14, 2008}}</ref> at least one reviewer criticized it for pushing an irresponsible message about the treatment of bipolar disorder and for failing to strike the proper balance between pathos and comedy.<ref>Caggiano, Chris.  [http://ccaggiano.typepad.com/everything_i_know_i_learn/2008/02/next-to-norma-1.html "Next to Normal: Shaky Show, Irresponsible Message"], Everything I Know I Learned from Musicals site, February 24, 2008</ref> The critics found the show internally confused, and the team decided to make major changes in both the book and score, including eliminating the original title song, "Feeling Electric".  They concentrated the story entirely on the emotions of Diana and her family as they confront bitter truths.<ref name=Columbia/>

The re-written musical was given a [[Regional theatre in the United States|regional theatre]] production at the [[Arena Stage]] (normally in Washington, D.C. but operating in Virginia during a renovation of its main facility), from November 21, 2008, through January 18, 2009, under the direction of Greif. [[J. Robert Spencer]] took over the role of Dan while [[Louis Hobson]] assumed the roles of Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine; the remaining Off-Broadway leads returned.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Chanler-Berat, Damiano, Hobson, Tveit Will Join Ripley and Spencer in Arena's ''Next to Normal'' |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/chanler-berat-damiano-hobson-tveit-will-join-ripley-and-spencer-in-arenas-next-to-normal-com-154172 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=October 10, 2008}}</ref> The production received rave reviews, with critics noticing that "comic songs and glitzy production numbers" had been replaced by songs that complemented the emotional content of the book.<ref>Marks, Peter. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103978.html "Revised Musical Hits Home: Moving, Beautiful ''next to normal''"], ''Washington Post'', December 12, 2008</ref><ref>Blanchard, Jayne. [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/15/next-to-terrific-at-arena/ "Next to Terrific at Arena"], ''Washington Times'', December 15, 2008</ref>

===Broadway (2009–11)===
''Next to Normal'' began previews on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Booth Theatre]] on March 27, 2009, with an opening night of April 15. The entire cast from the Arena Stage production returned, once again under the direction of Greif.  The musical was originally booked for the larger [[Longacre Theatre]], but, according to producer David Stone, "When the Booth Theatre became available... we knew it was the right space for ''Next to Normal''".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=''Next to Normal'', with Entire Arena Cast, to Play Broadway's Longacre |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-with-entire-arena-cast-to-play-broadways-longacre-com-158091 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=February 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=''Next to Normal'' Will Now Play the Booth Theatre |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-will-now-play-the-booth-theatre-com-158357 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=February 24, 2009}}</ref>

Reviews were very favorable. [[Ben Brantley]] of ''The New York Times'' wrote that the Broadway production is "A brave, breathtaking musical. It is something much more than a feel-good musical: it is a feel-everything musical."<ref>{{cite web |last=Brantley |first=Ben |title=Fragmented Psyches, Uncomfortable Emotions: Sing Out! |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/theater/reviews/16norm.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=April 15, 2009}}</ref>
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called it "The best new musical of the season&nbsp;– by a mile."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090420033908/http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/04/next-to-normal-proves-that-roc.php#more "The Travers Take: ''next to normal'' Proves that Rock is Thriving on Broadway"], rollingstone.com, April 16, 2009</ref> ''Next to Normal'' was on the Ten Best of the Year list for 2009 of "Curtain Up".<ref>Sommer, Elyse and Saltzman, Simon. [http://www.curtainup.com/bestandworst2009.html#Ten%20Best%20of%20the%20Year  "The Best (and Worst) of the Year 2009 On and Off Broadway"] curtainup.com, retrieved January 9, 2010</ref>

The show set a new box office record at the Booth Theatre for the week ending January 3, 2010, grossing $550,409 over nine performances. The previous record was held by the 2006 production of Brian Friel's ''Faith Healer'', with a gross of $530,702.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sierra |first=Gabrielle |title=NEXT TO NORMAL Breaks Box Office Record at the Booth Theatre |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NEXT-TO-NORMAL-Breaks-Box-Office-Record-at-the-Booth-Theatre-20100104 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=January 4, 2010}}</ref> One year later, ''Next to Normal'' broke that record again during its final week on Broadway (week ending January 16, 2011) grossing $552,563 over eight performances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sierra |first=Gabrielle |title=NEXT TO NORMAL Breaks Box Office Record at Booth Theatre |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NEXT-TO-NORMAL-Breaks-Box-Office-Record-at-Booth-Theatre-20110118 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=January 18, 2011}}</ref> The producers recouped their initial investment of $4 million a few days after the production's one-year anniversary on Broadway.<ref>{{cite web |last=Healy |first=Patrick |title=Broadway's Unlikely Hit Gives Hope to the Bold |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/theater/29normal.html |website=The New York Times |date=March 28, 2010}}</ref> At the end of its run, ''Next to Normal'' grossed $31,764,486, the most out of all the shows that have run at the Booth Theatre, earning double the amount of money as its closest competition, ''I'm Not Rappaport''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/grossestheater.cfm?theater=BOOTH&sortby=totaltotalGross&orderby=asc|title=BOOTH Broadway Grosses|website=broadwayworld.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref>

Cast replacements during the run included [[Marin Mazzie]] as Diana, Brian d'Arcy James<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |last2=Hetrick |first2=Adam |title=Brian d'Arcy James Will Rejoin ''Normal'' Cast in May |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/brian-darcy-james-will-rejoin-normal-cast-in-may-com-164609 |website=Playbill |date=April 22, 2010}}</ref> and later [[Jason Danieley]] as Dan, [[Kyle Dean Massey]] as Gabe, and [[Meghann Fahy]] as Natalie.<ref>{{cite web |last=Healy |first=Patrick |title=For 'Next to Normal,' a Real-Life Couple |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/new-casting-announced-for-next-to-normal/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=June 3, 2010}}</ref> [[John Kenrick (theatre writer)|John Kenrick]] wrote in November 2010 that the show "is glowing with breathtaking brilliance as it ends its Broadway run."<ref>Kenrick, John. [http://www.musicals101.com/nextnormal.htm ''Next to Normal'']. Musicals101.com, November 2010, accessed January 20, 2011</ref>

The Broadway production closed on January 16, 2011, after 21 previews and 733 regular performances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Diamond |first=Robert |title=NEXT TO NORMAL to Close on Broadway January 16 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NEXT-TO-NORMAL-to-Close-on-Broadway-January-16-20101110 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=November 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |title=''Next to Normal'' to Close on Broadway Jan 16, 2011 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-to-close-on-broadway-jan-16-2011-com-173473 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=November 10, 2010}}</ref>

==== Twitter promotional campaign ====
In May 2009, about six weeks into the Broadway run, ''Next to Normal'' began publishing an adapted version of the script over [[Twitter]], the social media network. Over 35 days, the serialized version of the show was published, a single line from a character at a time. The [[Twitter]] promotion ended the morning of June 7, 2009, the morning of the [[63rd Tony Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Andrew Adam |title=It's Broadway Gone Viral, With a Musical Meted Out via Twitter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/technology/internet/17normal.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=August 16, 2009}}</ref> The initiative earned the musical the 2009 OMMA Award for Best in Show.<ref>[http://www.mediapost.com/events/?/showID/OMMAAwards.09.NewYorkCity mediapost.com]</ref>

===First U.S. tour (2010–11)===
''Next to Normal'' began its first national tour of North America and Canada at the [[Ahmanson Theatre]] in [[Los Angeles]], California on November 23, 2010. The tour played in 16 cities in the U.S., ending in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 30, 2011. Alice Ripley reprised her role as Diana and was joined by Asa Somers as Dan, Emma Hunton as Natalie, [[Curt Hansen (actor)|Curt Hansen]] as Gabe, Preston Sadleir as Henry and [[Jeremy Kushnier]] as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |title=Somers, Hunton, Hansen, Sadleir and Kushnier to Join Ripley for ''Next to Normal'' Tour |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/somers-hunton-hansen-sadleir-and-kushnier-to-join-ripley-for-next-to-normal-tour-com-172850 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=October 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fullerton |first=Krissie |title=PHOTO CALL: A First Look at the ''Next to Normal'' National Tour with Alice Ripley, Emma Hunton and More |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/photo-call-a-first-look-at-the-next-to-normal-national-tour-with-alice-ripley-emma-hunton-and-more-com-173969 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=November 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nexttonormal.com/tour_cast |title=Next to Normal: Official Touring Production - Meet the Family |access-date=April 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006201738/http://nexttonormal.com/tour_cast |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}</ref>

=== East West Players (2017) ===
[[East West Players]] produced a diverse and inclusive version of the musical featuring a cast with nearly all artists of color as a part of their 51st season under the direction of Nancy Keystone. The production was originally slated to run from May 12 to June 11, 2018, but was extended a week through June 28 due to high demand. The show's popularity carried into awards season, earning the production four of the major awards at the 2018 [[Ovation Awards]] including Best Production of a Musical (Large Theater), Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Lead Actress in a Musical, and Direction in a Musical; additionally, the Set/Projection Designer for the show, Hana Kim, was honored with the Sherwood Award which seeks "to nurture innovative and adventurous theatre artists working in Los Angeles."<ref name="Wood">{{Cite web |url=http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/congratulations-to-the-company-of-next-to-normal/|title=Congratulations to the company of ''Next to Normal''! |last=Wood |first=Ximón |publisher=[[East West Players]] |access-date=2019-07-17 }}</ref> Deedee Magno Hall played the leading role of Diana alongside her real-life husband Cliffton Hall, who played Diana's husband, Dan. [[Isa Briones]] won for her portrayal of Natalie.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gelt |first=Jessica |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-sm-ovation-awards-2018-story.html |title=Ovation Awards 2018: Wins for Actors Co-op's ''33 Variations'', East West Players' ''Next to Normal'' |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=April 10, 2020 }}</ref>

The show was praised for its subject matter and the way in which the musical's exploration of mental health tied in seamlessly with its all-Asian cast.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://medium.com/@jenapherjunyizheng/next-to-normal-is-the-show-about-mental-health-all-asian-americans-need-to-see-91f66d74dff2 |title=''Next to Normal'' is the show about mental health all Asian-Americans need to see |last=Zheng |first=Jenapher Jun-Yi |date=2017-05-29 |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |access-date=2019-07-17 }}</ref> Mental health awareness is particularly stigmatized within areas of the [[Asian Pacific American|Asian Pacific-Islander]] community as a result of conflicting cultural and familial emphases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kramer |first1=Elizabeth J |last2=Kwong |first2=Kenny |last3=Lee |first3=Evelyn |last4=Chung |first4=Henry |date=September 2002 |title=Cultural factors influencing the mental health of Asian Americans |journal=Western Journal of Medicine |volume=176 |issue=4 |pages=227–231 |issn=0093-0415 |pmc=1071736 |pmid=12208826 }}</ref> East West Players' producing artistic director Snehal Desai made a point to belabor the importance of "shedding light on the stigma of mental illness in our communities," and that he hoped that the production could create "a space for that conversation."<ref name="Wood"/>

=== TheaterWorks Hartford (2017) ===
[[TheaterWorks (Hartford)|TheaterWorks Hartford]] (TWH) ran a production of the show under the direction of Rob Ruggiero. The show originally ran from March 24 through April 30 before extending through May 14 of the same year in light of its great success. The show starred [[Christiane Noll]] as Diana Goodman, alongside [[David Harris (Australian actor)|David Harris]] as Dan Goodman. The cast also included Maya Keleher, John Cardoza, J.D. Daw, and Nick Sacks. The production garnered 10 nominations for the 2017 [[Connecticut Critics Circle|Connecticut Critic Circle Choice Awards]], and won the awards for Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Noll), Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Lighting, and Outstanding Debut (Keleher).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ctcritics.org/2017/06/11/2017-ct-critics-circle-awards/ | title=2017 CT Critics Circle Awards – Connecticut Critics Circle | date=June 11, 2017 }}</ref>

Joseph Harrison of [[BroadwayWorld]] wrote that the production "goes beyond entertainment, reaching in and touching you to your very core in a brilliant symphony of emotional energy."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/connecticut/article/BWW-Review-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-at-TheaterWorks-20170403 | title=BWW Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at TheaterWorks | newspaper=BroadwayWorld.com | last1=Harrison | first1=Joseph | date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> [[Hartford Courant|The Hartford Courant]] praised the show for "being done with such careful thought and expressive detail in such an intimate environment raises this already confrontational musical to a different level of emotional intensity" and praised Noll for being "a fearless performer [who] can switch from indomitability to vulnerability in a split second."<ref>{{cite web | last=Arnott | first=Christopher | url=https://www.courant.com/ctnow/arts-theater/hc-review-next-to-normal-theaterworks-20170331-story.html | title=TheaterWorks 'Next to Normal' A Mind-Blowing Production | website=Hartford Courant | date=April 6, 2017}}</ref>

=== Kennedy Center (2020) ===
[[Rachel Bay Jones]], [[Brandon Victor Dixon]], [[Maia Reficco]], Khamary Rose, [[Ben Levi Ross]] and [[Michael Park (actor)|Michael Park]], joined original Broadway director [[Michael Greif]] for the Broadway Center Stage production at the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]] in Washington, D.C. from January 29-February 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Broadway Center Stage: Next to Normal {{!}} The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/theater/2019-2020/bcs-Next-to-Normal-68827/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=www.kennedy-center.org|language=en}}</ref>

=== Donmar Warehouse (2023) and West End (2024) ===
In October 2022, it was announced that the show would receive its London premiere at the [[Donmar Warehouse]], in a new production directed by [[Michael Longhurst]]. The production ran from 12 August until 7 October 2023, over 15 years after it first premiered in New York.<ref name="Donmar">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Alex|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/donmar-warehouse-2023-season-next-to-normal_57567.html|title=Next to Normal UK premiere announced in Donmar Warehouse season|website=WhatsOnStage|date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> In January 2023, it was announced that [[Caissie Levy]] would play the lead role of Diana Goodman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caissie Levy Will Lead the London Premiere of NEXT TO NORMAL at Donmar Warehouse |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Caissie-Levy-Will-Lead-the-London-Premiere-of-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-at-Donmar-Warehouse-20230126}}</ref>

In November 2023, it was announced that the 2023 Donmar Warehouse production would transfer to London's [[West End theatre|West End]] in 2024. The show began its 14-week limited engagement 18 June at the [[Wyndham's Theatre]], with an official opening night on 26 June and it closed on 21 September. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Next to Normal to transfer to the West End |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/next-to-normal-to-transfer-to-the-west-end_1531485/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Donmar Warehouse's Next to Normal Will Transfer to London's West End |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/donmar-warehouses-next-to-normal-will-transfer-to-londons-west-end |access-date=2023-11-21 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Playbill-West">{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Next to Normal, Starring Caissie Levy, Opens in London's West End June 26 |url=https://playbill.com/article/next-to-normal-starring-caissie-levy-opens-in-londons-west-end-june-26 |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=Playbill.com |language=en}}</ref> The entire cast reprised their roles.<ref name="Playbill-West" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Al-Hassan |first=Aliya |title=Caissie Levy to Reprise Role in NEXT TO NORMAL West End Transfer |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Caissie-Levy-to-Reprise-Role-in-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-West-End-Transfer-20240118 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> The production was filmed from September 9 through 11.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=David |title=West End Next to Normal, Starring Caissie Levy, Being Filmed This Month |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/west-end-next-to-normal-starring-caissie-levy-being-filmed-this-month_1749237/ |website=Theatermania |access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref> The filmed version with censorship aired on [[PBS]]' ''[[Great Performances]]'' on May 9, 2025 in the United States and is set to play in UK cinemas uncensored on September 11 and 14, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Josh |title=NEXT TO NORMAL West End Production to Air on PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NEXT-TO-NORMAL-West-End-Production-to-Air-on-PBS-GREAT-PERFORMANCES-20250313 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Broadwayworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-29 |title=Next to Normal to be released in UK cinemas – with dates and venues revealed |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/next-to-normal-to-be-released-in-uk-cinemas-with-dates-and-venues-revealed_1680231/ |access-date=2025-05-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 30, 2025, the cast album version of the West End cast was released using the live audio featured in the filmed performance.<ref>{{Citation |title=Next To Normal (Original London Cast Recording) |date=2025-05-30 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5IWkvoiJdAJgbebPS47Uy6 |access-date=2025-06-05 |language=en}}</ref>

==International==
''Note: The following are independent productions of the musical produced internationally and in most cases, in that native language. They also feature the original music, lyrics and book, but changes in other aspects including direction, set design, costume design and choreography.''

=== Nordic countries ===
The European premiere and the first non-English language production opened in September 2010 at {{lang|no|Det Norske Teatret|italic=no}} in [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] under the direction of [[Svein Sturla Hungnes]]. The cast included [[Heidi Gjermundsen Broch]] as Diana and [[Charlotte Frogner]] as Natalie<ref>[http://www.detnorsketeatret.no/Default.aspx?Tabid=65&PlayId=373 Det Norske Teatret]</ref> Broch received the 2011 [[Hedda Award]] (Norway's highest theatrical accolade) for her portrayal. This production was later re-staged for a Swedish premiere at the Wermland Opera<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wermlandopera.com/evenemang/next-to-normal|title=Next to Normal - Wermland Opera|website=www.wermlandopera.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref> A Finnish production opened in December 2010 in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] at Studio Pasila, where it ran for one year.<ref>[http://www.hkt.fi/ohjelmisto/play.php?name=next Helsinki City Theatre]</ref> A Swedish-language production opened in September 2012 at Wasa Teater in [[Vaasa]], Finland. The cast included [[Anna-Maria Hallgarn]] as Diana.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wasateater.fi/information_plays.php?info_id=38 |title=Österbottens regionteater |access-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109051512/http://www.wasateater.fi/information_plays.php/?info_id=38 |archive-date=January 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |language=fi}}</ref> Another Finnish-language production was staged at the [[Tampere Workers' Theatre]] from October 2012 through February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ttt-teatteri.fi/ohjelmisto/next-normal|title=Tampereen Työväen Teatteri - NEXT TO NORMAL|access-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref> A Danish-language production ran from February 2012 until April 2012 at Nørrebro Teater in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Next to Normal |publisher=Nørrebro Teater |url=http://www.nbt.dk/da-DK/Forestillinger/Next+to+Normal.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519073541/http://www.nbt.dk/da-DK/Forestillinger/Next+to+Normal.aspx |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=June 9, 2011 |language=da}}</ref> A Swedish-language production opened open at [[Swedish Theatre]] in Helsinki in November 2021 and ran until March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://svenskateatern.fi/sv/repertoar/next_to_normal/|title=Svenska Teatern - Next to Normal|access-date=April 27, 2021}}</ref> The show premiered again in Sweden in 2022, after being postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], at Uppsala Stadsteater with [[Helen Sjöholm]] as Diana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uppsalastadsteater.se/next-to-normal/|title=Next to Normal - Uppsala Stadsteater|date=January 10, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> In 2023 Next to normal had a sold out run at Teater Västernorrland with Kristina Lindgren as Diana. A second Danish-language production opened at [[Odense Teater]] December 2024, running until January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Next to normal'' |publisher=Odense Teater |url=https://www.odenseteater.dk/oplevelser/forestillinger/2024-2025/next-to-normal/ |access-date=2024-04-30 }}</ref>

=== Asia ===

==== Philippines ====
The Asian premiere was staged at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, [[Makati]], [[Philippines]] in March 2011 and again in October 2011, performed in English, re-imagined by director Bobby Garcia. The cast included ''Pilipinas Got Talent'' star [[Markki Stroem]] as Henry, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Diana, Jett Pangan as Dan, Bea Garcia as Natalie, Felix Rivera as Gabe, and Jake Macapagal as Doctor Madden.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oliveros |first1=Oliver |last2=Aserios |first2=Maria Irene |title=Manila: Markki Stroem Makes Stage Debut In NEXT TO NORMAL, 3/11-27 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Manila-Markki-Stroem-Makes-Stage-Debut-In-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-31127-20110111 |website=BroadwayWorld Philippines |date=January 11, 2011}}</ref>

==== South Korea ====
Soon after The Philippines premiere, a replica of the Broadway production, under the Broadway production's associate director Laura Pietropinto, premiered at Seoul, [[South Korea]]'s Doosan Art Center in November 2011 performed in Korean. The production starred renown American actor/musical artist [[Kolleen Park]] as Diana, and local actors Kim Ji-hyun alternating the role with Park, Nam Kyung-joo and Lee Jung-yeol sharing the role of Dan, Choi Jae-rim and Han Ji-sang as Gabe, Oh So-yeon as Natalie, and Lee Sang-min as Henry.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kwon |first=Mee-yoo |title=Kolleen Park Portrays Mentally-ill Woman in ''Next to Normal'' |work=[[The Korea Times]] |date=6 July 2011 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/08/398_90349.html }}</ref> Since then the show had four local productions, each in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2022 and in each, Park reprised her role as Diana.<ref>[https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3012789 Stars team up for 'Next to Normal' - Korea JoongAng Daily]</ref>

==== Japan ====
A replica of the Broadway production, directed by the Broadway Assistant Director Laura Pietropinto, premiered in Tokyo in July 2013 in Japanese. The dual cast included Gen Parton Shin as Gabe.

==== Singapore ====
A new version of the show, directed by Tracie Pang, premiered in Singapore in September 2013 in English at the Drama Centre Theatre. The cast included [[Sally Ann Triplett]] as Diana, [[Adrian Pang]] as Dan, Julia Abueva as Natalie, [[Nathan Hartono]] as Gabe, Linden Furnell as Henry, and Juan Jackson as Doctor Madden.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gioia|first=Michael|title=Singapore Premiere of ''Next to Normal'', Starring West End Actress Sally Ann Triplett, Begins Sept. 5|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/singapore-premiere-of-next-to-normal-starring-west-end-actress-sally-ann-triplett-begins-sept-5-com-209111|website=Playbill.com|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> 

==== China ====
A non-replica Chinese production premiered in Beijing, China, on August 3, 2018, at Dongcheng's Super Theatre in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] and transferred to Shanghai that December.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=zh:新剧预告！百老汇音乐剧《近乎正常》中文版8月3日在北京震撼首演|url=http://www.imusical.cn/2018/07/24/next-to-normal-will-come-to-beijing-in-august/|trans-title=New Musical: Broadway Musical ''Next to Normal''{{'}}s Chinese production to premiere in Beijing on August 3 |access-date=8 December 2018 |publisher=iMusical |date=24 July 2018 |language=zh-CN}}</ref> The first [[Cantonese]]-language production took place in [[Hong Kong]], premiering in December 2022 at the City Hall Theater.

==== Taiwan ====
The original Taiwan production premiered in July 2023 in English the National Taichung Theater, directed and re-imagined by Carolyn Sun. The cast featured Chi, who played Natalie in the Beijing company, returning to the role, American actors Ya Han Chang as Diana and Ellis Gage as Gabe, local actors ERay Chiang as Dan and Sassoon Yang and Henry as well as Taiwan radio and television personality Francis Chia as Dr. Madden.<ref>Masseroon, Meg. "A New Production of Next to Normal Will Premiere in Taiwan." Playbill, 21 Jun. 2023, playbill.com/article/a-new-production-of-next-to-normal-will-premiere-in-taiwan.</ref>

=== Australia ===
The Australian premiere of the musical by the [[Melbourne Theatre Company]] was staged in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]]. Performances began on April 28, 2012, and ran through June 4 (extended from May 28). The cast included [[Kate Kendall]] as Diana, [[Matt Hetherington]] as Dan and [[Bert LaBonte]] as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine.<ref>[http://www.mtc.com.au/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=3190 "Listing, 'Next to Normal'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130033242/http://www.mtc.com.au/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=3190 |date=January 30, 2011 }} Melbourne Theatre Company, retrieved December 4, 2010</ref>

A production in Perth played at the [[State Theatre Centre of Western Australia|Heath Ledger Theatre]] from November 5–19, 2015. Produced by [[Black Swan State Theatre Company]], the cast included [[Rachael Beck]] as Diana and Brendan Hanson as Dan.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Julia Hern|title=Next To Normal Black Swan Theatre Company|url=http://www.australianstage.com.au/201511127508/reviews/perth/next-to-normal-%7C-black-swan-state-theatre-company.html|website=Australian Stage|publisher=Australian Stage Online|access-date=February 2, 2016|date=November 12, 2015}}</ref>

Australia's first Musical Theatre performance since the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] is a new production of Next to Normal directed by [[Darren Yap]] and choreographed by [[Kelley Abbey]]. The performance will run in October and November at the [[National Institute of Dramatic Art]] in Sydney.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-28|title=Next to Normal|url=https://www.nida.edu.au/productions/october-2020-production-season/next-to-normal|access-date=2020-10-03|website=NIDA|language=en}}</ref>{{needs update|reason=May need an update due to COVID-19 development per IP edit|date=May 2021}}

The most recent production was scheduled to be performed at [[Chapel Off Chapel]] in [[Melbourne]] from 15 July 2021. The cast included [[Queenie van de Zandt]] as Diana, Tyran Parke as Dan, Melanie Bird as Natalie, Sam Richardson as Gabe, Liam Wigney as Henry and Ross Chisari as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. The show was presented by the James Terry Collective.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-29|title=Queenie van de Zandt to Lead New Production of Next to Normal|url=https://www.theatrepeople.com.au/queenie-van-de-zandt-next-to-normal/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Theatrepeople|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727134505/https://www.theatrepeople.com.au/queenie-van-de-zandt-next-to-normal/|archive-date=2021-07-27}}</ref> Due to the snap [[COVID-19 pandemic]] lockdown, they were only able to perform one show at that time, resuming nearly eight months later in March 2022 with Hanlon Innocent alternating with Tomáš Kantor as Henry and Matt Hetherington reprising the role of Dan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=THEATRE|url=https://www.nexttonormal.com.au/|access-date=2022-03-19|website=Next To Normal|language=en}}</ref>

===South America ===
A Spanish-language [[Peruvian]] premiere of the musical played the Teatro Marsano, in [[Lima]], [[Peru]]. The production ran from May to June 2011. The cast included [[Gisela Ponce de León]] as Natalie<ref>[http://www.andina.com.pe/Espanol/Noticia.aspx?Id=TJlAr2hdo7M= Obra musical de Broadway], "Casi normal" se estrena por primera vez en Lima traducida al español</ref> A [[Brazil]]ian production opened in July 2012 at the Clara Nunes Theatre in [[Rio de Janeiro]], under the title ''Quase Normal'' starring actress Vanessa Gerbelli as Diana.<ref>[http://estamosaquiproducoes.com.br/quasenormal.html Estamos Aqui Produções - Quase Normal]</ref>

A Mexican production opened at the Teatro Aldama in [[Mexico City]] on January 31, 2019, starring [[Susana Zabaleta]] as Diana.<ref>[https://acironline.mx/sin-categoria/casi-normales-el-musical-bipolar-que-te-conquistara/ "Casi normales, el musical bipolar que te conquistará"], acironline.mx, February 1, 2019</ref> The Mexican cast also included Federico Di Lorenzo as Dan, María Penella as Natalie, Mariano Palacios as Gabe, Jerry Velázquez as Henry/Gabe and Héctor Berzunza as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. The cast was also joined by María Chacón as Natalie, and Rodolfo Zarco as Henry for some performances.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-13|title=Casi Normales|url=https://carteleradeteatro.mx/2018/casi-normales/|access-date=2020-09-22|website=Cartelera de Teatro CDMX|language=es-MX}}</ref> Directed by Diego Del Río, the creative team included Jorge Ballina (set design), Victor Zapatero (lighting design), Josefina Echeverría (costume design) and Alejandro García (sound design). This production was nominated for six awards in several categories at the Premios Metropolitanos de Teatro in 2019, which included Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, among others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nominados 2019 – Premios Metropolitanos de Teatro |url=https://www.premiosmetropolitanos.com/nominados/ |access-date=2020-09-22|language=es}}</ref> Diego del Río, Susana Zabaleta, María Penella and Jerry Velázquez each won at their categories.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Teatro|first=Premios Metropolitanos|date=August 23, 2019|title=Ganadores 2019|url=https://www.premiosmetropolitanos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ganadores-2019.pdf|access-date=September 21, 2020|website=Premios Metropolitanos de Teatro}}</ref> After a short run in Mexico City, the musical had a single tour performance at Auditorio Luis Elizondo, in [[Monterrey]] on July 4, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Casi normales", un musical que aborda los retos de la salud mental|url=https://tec.mx/es/noticias/monterrey/arte-y-cultura/casi-normales-un-musical-que-aborda-los-retos-de-la-salud-mental|access-date=2020-09-22|website=tec.mx|language=es}}</ref> The original cast reunited on June 9, 2020, for an online live concert, where they read and sang through the score in an acoustic version of the musical.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-28 |title=El elenco del musical CASI NORMALES ofrecerá concierto acústico virtual |url=https://carteleradeteatro.mx/2020/el-elenco-del-musical-casi-normales-ofrecera-concierto-acustico-virtual/ |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=Cartelera de Teatro CDMX|language=es-MX}}</ref>

In [[Argentina]], it premiered on January 5, 2012, at the Liceo Theatre in [[Buenos Aires]] under the title {{lang|es|Casi Normales}}. Produced by Javier Faroni and starring Laura Conforte as Diana, Alejandro Paker as Dan, Florencia Otero as Natalie, Matías Mayer as Gabe, [[Fernando Dente]] as Henry, and Mariano Chiesa as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, this version was directed by Luis Romero, with set design by Marcelo Valiente, costume design by Pablo Bataglia, lighting design by Marco Pastorino, sound design by Rodrigo Lavecchia and Mauro Agrelo, musical direction by Gaby Goldman, and Spanish adaptation by Marcelo Kotliar, [[Pablo del Campo]], and Diego Jaraz. Martin Ruiz has played Dan ever since 2013.

===Caribbean ===
A Spanish version of this musical was first presented in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2019. It was produced by the renowned entrepreneur and producer Camilo Then and the experienced theater producer and director Joyce Roy, at the former Studio Theater of Acrópolis Center. The cast included Laura Leclerc as Diana, the dominican actor and singer Alejandro Espino as Daniel,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diario |first=El Nuevo |date=2019-10-24 |title=“Casi Normales”, musical que te dejará un mensaje |url=https://elnuevodiario.com.do/casi-normales-musical-que-te-dejara-un-mensaje/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana) |language=es}}</ref> Juan Manuel González as Gabriel, Annabelle Aquino as Natalie, Jean Luis Burgos as Henry, and Vladimir Rodriguez Santana as Dr. Madden / Dr. Fine. Joyce Roy was the general director, Hari Solano was the musical director, and Claudia González was the vocal director. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Libre |first=Diario |date=2019-11-08 |title=Una familia en donde son “Casi normales” |url=https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/teatro/una-familia-en-donde-son-casi-normales-NN15182791 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Diario Libre |language=es}}</ref> Years later, in 2023, the musical was staged again in the country with the same directors but under Joyce Roy's production. This time, Laura Leclerc, Alejandro Espino, and Juan Manuel González reprised their roles as Diana, Daniel, and Gabriel, respectively. Cynthia Brens joined the cast as Natalie, Lenchy Vargas as Henry, and Alejandro Guerrero as Dr. Madden / Dr. Fine. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Libre |first=Diario |date=2022-12-27 |title=El exitoso musical “Casi normales” vuelve a escena |url=https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/cultura/2022/12/27/regresa-a-escena-el-exitoso-musical-casi-normales/2180549 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Diario Libre |language=es}}</ref>

===Europe===
The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] premiere took place on January 16, 2012, at DeLaMar Theater in [[Amsterdam]]. The cast included [[Simone Kleinsma]] as Diana.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.musicals.nl/nexttonormal |title=Next to Normal: Home |access-date=September 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927200645/http://musicals.nl/nexttonormal/ |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A German-language production translated and directed by Titus Hoffmann opened at the Stadttheater in [[Fürth]], [[Bavaria]], on October 11, 2013. [[Pia Douwes]] starred in the role of Diana with [[Thomas Borchert]] as Dan and Sabrina Weckerlin as Natalie.<ref>[https://nachtkritik.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8617:next-to-normal-fast-normal-die-deutsche-erstauffuehrung-des-broadway-erfolgsmusicals-am-stadttheater-fuerth&catid=292:stadttheater-fuerth&Itemid=100190 Nachtkritik.de]</ref> The Italian version, produced by STM and directed by Marco Iacomelli, opened on March 7, 2015, at [[Teatro Coccia]] in [[Novara]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nexttonormal.it|title=Next to Normal – Italia|last=Italia|first=Next to Normal|website=www.nexttonormal.it|access-date=April 18, 2017}}</ref> A Spanish-language production opened at the Teatro Pérez Galdós in [[Las Palmas]], [[Canary Islands]], on September 14, 2017, starring [[Nina (Spanish singer)|Nina]] as Diana, and then it toured through Spain with stops at [[Barcelona]], [[Bilbao]], and [[Madrid]].<ref>[http://www.laprovincia.es/cultura/2017/09/14/normales-despega-galdos-busca-exito/977324.html "Casi normales despega en el Galdós en busca del éxito nacional"], laprovincia.es, September 14, 2017</ref> In 2016, in Portugal, opened a Portuguese-speaking version, with the title {{lang|pt|Quase Normal}}. A Russian-language production ({{lang|ru|Недалеко от Нормы|italic=yes}}), directed by Anastasia Grinenko, opened in Minsk, Belarus on March 28, 2018, with Svetlana Matsievskaia starring as Diana.<ref>[https://musicals.by/production/next-to-normal/ Musicals.by]</ref> In Poland the show opened on April 6, 2019, at Teatr Syrena in Warsaw, with Katarzyna Walczak as Diana. The production was translated and directed by Jacek Mikołajczyk.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://teatrsyrena.pl/lista-spektakli/szczegoly.html?id=233&lang=pl |title=Teatr Syrena, musicale, next to normal, spektakle, repertuar Warszawa }}</ref> The musical had its UK premiere at the [[Donmar Warehouse]], [[London]] from 12 August to 7 October 2023, directed by [[Michael Longhurst]]. It transferred to the West End’s [[Wyndham's Theatre]] in 2024.<ref name="Donmar"/> A [[Swiss German|swiss-german]] adaptation is expected to play in Zurich under the name 'Fascht Normal. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Fascht Normal – Das Musical |url=https://www.kulturbogen.ch/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=fascht normal |language=de}}</ref>

==Casts==
<!-- DO NOT PLACE CASTING ON HERE UNTIL THE PRODUCTION IN QUESTION OFFICIALLY BEGINS PERFORMANCES! -->
''Note: Below are the principal casts of all official major productions of the musical.''

{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
! rowspan="2" | Role
! Off-Broadway
! Broadway
! U.S. National Tour
!West End
|-
!<small>2008</small>
!<small>2009</small>
!<small>2010</small>
!<small>2024</small>
|-
! scope="row"| Diana Goodman
| align="center" colspan="3"| [[Alice Ripley]]
| align="center" | [[Caissie Levy]]
|-
! scope="row"| Dan Goodman
| align="center" |[[Brian d'Arcy James]]
| align="center" |[[J. Robert Spencer]]
| align="center" |[[Asa Somers]]
| align="center" |[[Jamie Parker]]
|-
! scope="row"| Natalie Goodman
| align="center" colspan="2"| [[Jennifer Damiano]]
| align="center" |Emma Hunton
| align="center" |[[Eleanor Worthington Cox]]
|-
! scope="row"| Gabriel "Gabe" Goodman
| align="center" colspan="2"| [[Aaron Tveit]]
| align="center" |[[Curt Hansen (actor)|Curt Hansen]]
| align="center" |[[Jack Wolfe (actor)|Jack Wolfe]]
|-
! scope="row"| Henry
| align="center" colspan="2"| [[Adam Chanler-Berat]]
| align="center" |Preston Sadleir
| align="center" |Jack Ofrecio
|-
! scope="row"| Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine
| align="center"| [[Asa Somers]]
| align="center"| [[Louis Hobson]]
|align="center" | [[Jeremy Kushnier]]
| align="center" |[[Trevor Dion Nicholas]]
|}

;Notable Broadway replacements
*Gabriel "Gabe" Goodman: [[Kyle Dean Massey]]
*Dan Goodman: [[Brian d'Arcy James]], [[Jason Danieley]] 
*Diana Goodman: [[Marin Mazzie]]
*Natalie Goodman: [[Meghann Fahy]]

==Literary references and allusions==
*During Act I, Gabe reads a paperback copy of ''[[The Catcher in the Rye]]''. Salinger's novel about grieving a loss is read by the character who ''is'' the loss.  In ''Catcher'', Holden struggles with the loss of a brother, Allie, who died of leukemia.
*When sorting through a box of items from her son's room, Diana picks up a music box from the box to reveal a copy of ''[[Goodnight Moon]]'' underneath.
*Natalie carries a hardcover copy of ''[[Flowers for Algernon]]'', which she is studying in school. Both the novel and ''Next to Normal'' deal with psychological experimentation.
*Diana alludes to ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'', [[Sylvia Plath]], and [[Frances Farmer]] in the song "Didn't I See This Movie?". This is in regards to her ECT that also takes place in the movie as a form of abuse, provoking questions as to whether Diana is a reliable narrator or whether the ECT is ethical. 
*Diana also reads from ''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'', a play by [[Edward Albee]] which deals with marital stress caused by issues similar to some in ''Next to Normal''. On her YouTube site, Alice Ripley said that she uses Albee's play as a Bible, drawing inspiration for Diana.

==Pulitzer Prize controversy==
''Next to Normal'' won the 2010 [[Pulitzer Prize for Drama]] although it was not on the shortlist of three candidates submitted to the twenty-member Pulitzer Prize board by the five-member Drama jury. Jury chairman and critic [[Charles McNulty]] publicly criticized the Board for overlooking three plays (''[[Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo]]'', ''[[The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity]]'', and
''[[In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)]]''), which were not running on Broadway at the time of the Award, in favor of one that was.<ref>[http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-et-pulitzer-mcnulty-20100413,0,3224899.story ''Los Angeles Times'' Hetrick, Adam]</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |title=Pulitzer Drama Juror David Rooney Weighs In On ''Next to Normal'' Win |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/pulitzer-drama-juror-david-rooney-weighs-in-on-next-to-normal-win-com-167632 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=April 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Simonson |first=Robert |author1-link=Robert Simonson |title=Playbill.com's Theatre Week In Review, April 10-April 16: The Pulitzer Paradox |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/playbillcoms-theatre-week-in-review-april-10-april-16-the-pulitzer-paradox-com-167722 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=April 16, 2010}}</ref><!-- response? commentary? -->

==Major awards and nominations==

===Original Off-Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="10" align="center"| 2008
|rowspan="2" align="center"|[[Drama League Award]]s
|colspan="2"|Distinguished Production of a Musical
|{{nom}}
|-
|Distinguished Performance Award
|[[Brian d'Arcy James]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Alice Ripley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music|Outstanding Music]]
| [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan= "3" align= "center"|[[Outer Critics Circle Award]]s
|Outstanding Actress in a Musical
|Alice Ripley
|{{nom}}
|-
|colspan="2"|Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
|{{nom}}
|-
|colspan="2"|Outstanding New Score
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan= "3" align= "center"| [[Lucille Lortel Awards|The Lucille Lortel Awards]]
|colspan="2"|Outstanding Musical
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Featured Actor
|Aaron Tveit
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Lighting Design
|Kevin Adams
|{{nom}}
|}

===Original Virginia production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="5" align="center"|2009
| rowspan="5" align="center"|[[Helen Hayes Awards]]
| rowspan="1" colspan="2"|Outstanding Non-Resident Production
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="1"|Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production
| rowspan="1"|[[Alice Ripley]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="1"|Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production
| rowspan="1"|[[J. Robert Spencer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production
| rowspan="1"|[[Jennifer Damiano]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1"|[[Aaron Tveit]]
| {{won}}
|-
|}

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="11" align="center"| 2009
| rowspan="11"| [[63rd Tony Awards|Tony Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
| [[Brian Yorkey]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] 
| [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]] and Brian Yorkey
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[J. Robert Spencer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Alice Ripley]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Jennifer Damiano]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| [[Michael Greif]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
| [[Michael Starobin]] and [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]]
| Mark Wendland
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| [[Kevin Adams]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design]]
| Brian Ronan
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" align="center"| 2010
| colspan="3"| [[Pulitzer Prize for Drama]]
| {{won}}
|}

=== Original London production ===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%" | Year
! width="20%" | Award Ceremony
! width="45%" | Category
! width="20%" | Nominee
!Result
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center" |2024
| rowspan="4" |[[Laurence Olivier Awards]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-12 |title=Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/mar/12/olivier-awards-2024-complete-list-of-nominations |access-date=2024-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
| colspan="2"|Best New Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Actress in a Musical
| rowspan="1" |[[Caissie Levy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
| rowspan="1" |[[Jack Wolfe (actor)|Jack Wolfe]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
|[[Eleanor Worthington Cox]]
| {{nom}}
|}<!--  Please include only prestigious critical awards, not audience awards. It trivializes the awards section. See [[WP:FANCRUFT]]-->

==Legacy==
In 2021, the songs of the musical were the focus of "Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal", a musical episode of ''[[Riverdale (2017 TV series)|Riverdale]]''. The ''Riverdale'' cast album of the musical was produced via [[WaterTower Music]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Major|first=Michael|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/RIVERDALE-Releases-Songs-from-NEXT-TO-NORMAL-Episode-20210930|title=RIVERDALE Releases Songs from NEXT TO NORMAL Episode|website=BroadwayWorld|date=September 30, 2021|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://nexttonormal.com Official Website]
*{{ibdb show|id=483135|title=Next to Normal}}
* ''[http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000383 Next to Normal]'' at the Music Theatre International website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090806094923/http://www.nexttonormal.com/twitterperformance.pdf Twitter Performance Transcript]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100903024726/http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&title=Next%20to%20Normal Lortel Archives listing]
*[http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=82&sid=176221 Interview with Brian Yorkey] on [http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=1 MyNorthwest.com]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/theater/29norm.html?_r=2&sq=an%20out-of-town%20overhall&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1241208101-X7n4hSeJruy6aNQYP9iMJQ NY Times Feature: An Out-of-Town Overhaul Helps Next to Normal Find Focus]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/theater/19cohe.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mental%20illness,%20the%20musical&st=cse NY Times Feature: On Broadway, 'Next to Normal' Aims for Truth About Mental Illness]
*[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/04/16/2009-04-16_normal_is_way_beyond_ordinary.html Daily News Broadway review 2009]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090421002526/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20272677,00.html Entertainment Weekly Broadway review 2009]
*[https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gG_o7eFLxXOOumwSvA6wZT9xl3Mw Associated Press Broadway review 2009]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041503719.html?wprss=rss_print/style Washington Post Broadway Review 2009]
*[http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/theater/reviews/14normal.html?ex=1361163600&en=a884dd85dd2878ff&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss NY Times off-Broadway review, February 2008]
*[http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/12823 TheatreMania review, February 2008]
*[https://www.musikundbuehne.de/nc/stuecksuche/detail/werk/zeigen/fast-normal.html Musik und Bühne Verlag German licensing company]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121209094733/http://www.casinormales.com.ar/ Argentina Website]
*[http://www.nexttonormal.it Italian Website]
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Next to Normal''
| list = 
{{Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2001-2025}}
{{TonyAward MusicalScore 2001-2025}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Next To Normal}}
[[Category:2008 musicals]]
[[Category:American rock musicals]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Fiction about bipolar disorder]]
[[Category:Fiction about grief]]
[[Category:Fiction about mental health]]
[[Category:Fiction about mother–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:Fiction about substance abuse]]
[[Category:Fiction about suicide]]
[[Category:Musicals by Brian Yorkey]]
[[Category:Musicals by Tom Kitt (musician)]]
[[Category:Musicals set in the 21st century]]
[[Category:Off-Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Original musicals]]
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Drama–winning works]]
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Drama–winning musicals]]
[[Category:Sung-through musicals]]
[[Category:Tony Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:Theatre about drugs]]
[[Category:Works about depression]]