"Next To Normal": The Road to Broadway (Working In The Theatre

The creative team behind the hit musical "Next To Normal" - Director Michael Greif, Composer Tom Kitt, Producer David Stone and Book Writer/Lyricist Brian Yorkey - discuss the unique road the show took to Broadway beginning with its start at the BMI Workshop; the origin of the show's subject matter and the challenges of getting acceptance for it; the reasons behind a title change and what that represented for the creative process; why they took the unusual step of going from off-Broadway to out of town before Broadway; what influences the press and audiences had after the off-Broadway opening in their decision process; why some songs were dropped, others changed and the reasons behind the addition of new material; and 4 songs are performed in studio that illustrate the changes in the various stages of the production.
Originally taped - November, 2009
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards® and home of and the Obie Awards®: for more information visit americantheatrewing.org.
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[@michaeladkins6]

I learned about this through the London version in 2023. Im just now obsessing through this incredible music.

[@denali9643]

Still rewatching in 2020 while Broadway remains closed. This show changed my life

[@TheRealFlurrin]

12:47 "It's about this woman and her illness and how it affects her family, but it's about how all of us, I think, we all grew up in *that* household." I think everyone who sees this musical finds someone to relate to easily, but usually you end up relating to everyone on some level.

[@KellyKeratin]

Thank you so much for uploading this! It was so interesting, and I had no idea about the twitter performance.

[@paticemd]

I'm so glad I watched this!

[@trickofdisaster2]

Great vid! Amazing how long it takes to get a musical where it needs to be.

[@trickofdisaster2]

The best songs are "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" and "It's gonna be good" in my humble opinion