Next To Normal

Next to Normal is a powerful, Tony Award-winning rock musical that explores the impact of mental illness, grief and loss on a suburban family struggling to hold themselves together.

The show balances searing honesty with moments of dark humour, offering a raw portrait of love, pain and the quest for a life that feels “normal.”

"It is much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel everything musical. A brave, breathtaking musical!"
The New York Times

“It’s the best musical of the season by a mile, an emotional powerhouse with a fire in its soul and a wicked wit that burns just as fiercely.”
Rolling Stone

Director Jonny Harding-Cooper commented: "Next to Normal is the perfect blend of powerful storytelling, beautiful songs and rich characters. It’s potent, heart-wrenching and resists easy answers; it leans into the irrationality of human emotions and doesn’t shy away from how unpredictable that can be. What makes it extraordinary is the way it invites us to look closer at what a family hides behind closed doors, allowing us to witness private lives from just beyond the threshold. Our approach won’t be about echoing previous versions, but about building an environment where the cast can test, question and rediscover the work for themselves."

Content warnings: this show contains adult language and themes; depications of serious mental health conditions and medical treatments, including electroshock therapy; drug use/abuse; discussions of death, suicide, and loss of a child.

Next To Normal plays at the Bridewell Theatre from 24-28 March 2026.

Next To Normal Music by Tom Kitt
Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

This amateur production is presented by Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.co.uk