Stage Review

Next to Normal (2008)

Reviewed by Paul Katz | Apr 10, 2008

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EW's GRADE

Details Opening Date: Feb 12, 2008; Lead Performances: Brian d'Arcy James and Alice Ripley; Writers: Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey; Director: Michael Grief; Genres: Comedy, Drama

$NEXT TO NORMAL Brian d\'Arcy James and Alice Ripley | Next to Normal, Alice Ripley, ...$

Image credit: Joan Marcus

NEXT TO NORMAL Brian d'Arcy James and Alice Ripley

The phrase crazy in love best describes Next to Normal, an intense new musical centering on a suburban mom (Alice Ripley) and her struggle to balance marriage, motherhood, and manic depression. Hubby (Brian d'Arcy James) tries to stay stalwart through rounds of meds and trips to shrinks; meanwhile, their teenage daughter (Jennifer Damiano) begins her own pharmaceutically aided spiral into self-destruction. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's lively score injects some much-needed satirical levity into the downer of a plot. But despite Ripley's electric work, Normal never fully jells; like its heroine, it's a bit off-kilter in the end. (212-246-4422) B-

Originally posted Feb 22, 2008 Published in issue #980 Feb 29, 2008 Order article reprints

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