Next to Normal: A Powerful Piece of Theatre

Last night I had the pleasure of being blown away by the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Next to Normal. It was the most vivid and emotional piece I've seen in a long time and is one of the few shows I've seen that has a strong message for the audience. The show focuses on the effects of living with someone with Bipolar Disorder and how it can tear a family apart. Sounds cheery, right? I was blubbering like a baby at the end of the play. I loved the fact that it was so innovative and actually left you with something to think about unlike, let's say, A Chorus Line or Shrek: The Musical. But most of all, Alice Ripley's performance as Diana (the woman suffering from the disease) was absolutely stunning. She originated the role on Broadway and won a Tony for her outstanding portrayal of the character, which I would say was extremely well deserved. The entire cast was lovely and the music for the show by Tom Kitt, the mastermind behind Spring Awakening's tunes, was phenomenal. If anything, I will have "Super Boy and the Invisible Girl," stuck in my head for the next few weeks. I would definitely look up the soundtrack and see the show if you ever have the chance because it is theatre like you've never seen it before.

                            Alice Ripley as Diana and Curt Hansen as her son, Gabe.
                            God, it doesn't get any more heartbreaking than this.