When Next to Normal premiered on Broadway in 2009, it challenged conventional ideas of what a musical could be. Addressing deeply personal and often taboo topics such as mental illness, grief, and the complexities of family relationships, the show brought a raw and innovative story to the stage. It earned a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and lead actor Jack Wolfe won Best West End Debut Performer at The Stage Debut awards. The show continues to shape how Broadway approaches sensitive subjects, leaving a lasting influence on musical theatre.
The plot revolves around the Goodman family, focusing on Diana Goodman, a wife and mother dealing with bipolar disorder and the trauma of her son’s death. Her mental illness impacts her entire family, particularly her husband, Dan, and daughter, Natalie, both of whom struggle with their own emotional challenges. The show candidly explores the difficulties and misunderstandings surrounding mental health, including Diana’s treatments, such as medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), while questioning societal perceptions of mental illness.
A UK production of the musical has recently made its way to the West End after a successful run at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre last year. It was performed at the Wyndham Theatre until 21 September 2024 and received rave reviews, despite its very short run. The production, directed by Michael Longhurst has been praised for his authentic retelling of the Broadway hit and has been praised for the incredible performances of Olivier and Grammy Award nominated Cassie Levy and for Jack Wolfe’s reprise of his role of Gabe Goodman for the West End.
Though the musical has generally received positive reviews being rated 4 stars by The Stage and Time Out, however its sensitive subject matter has led to mixed reactions from audiences. The musical has been described as “flawed” and been criticised for how it promotes “authentic” treatments and demonizes medical intervention. Next to Normal depicts Diana’s experience with various treatments, including psychiatric medications and ECT, some of which negatively impact her mental health and memory. While this portrayal aims for realism, some viewers and mental health experts have criticized it, suggesting it could discourage people from seeking treatment. The emotional intensity of the show can also be overwhelming, particularly for those with similar personal experiences. The raw portrayal of grief, trauma, and mental illness can trigger strong emotional responses, raising concerns about how theatres should handle content warnings and offer support to those affected by the performance.
Another issue brought up in the show is drug abuse. The musicals treads along a thin line between drugs being helpful, while also being destructive. In the mother’s story line, drugs and medical interventions are shown in a positive light at first as they are presented as being the cure to her mental illness, though over time the medication begins to worsen her mental state. Simultaneously the daughter, Natalie Goodman, has her own struggles with drug addiction to cope with her messy home life. Natalie’s storyline appears to be overshadowed by everyone else’s storylines within the show. While it can be argued they chose to portray it this way to reflect how she feels invisible within in the home, it can also be stated that the musical misses the opportunity to delve deeper into Natalie’s personal struggles and storyline. This issue was also raised in a review written by Olivia Rook where she says: “The focus on Diana’s journey does mean that some of the sub-plots suffer, for example, Natalie’s downward spiral doesn’t get enough attention.”
In conclusion, Next to Normal continues to captivate audiences with its raw, emotional exploration of mental illness, grief, and family dynamics. However, the musical’s intense subject matter has sparked debate, with some praising its realism and others raising concerns about its depiction of treatments and its emotional impact. Despite these challenges, Next to Normal remains a compelling and influential piece of theatre, provoking important conversations about mental health and the complexities of human emotion.
Words by Gemma McDonald
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