San Diego-and the rest of Southern California for that matter-is known for its year-round sunshine. Every so often, though,
it takes a theater show like Next to Normal
to break up the sunshine a little. Next to Normal isn't about a family with minor scuffles. Instead, it follows a family struggling
to cope through one member's mental illness.
Diana may seem like a normal housewife, but her perfect exterior soon begins to show cracks. She appears to be the mother
of two teenage children, but it is later revealed that her eldest son actually passed away as an infant and now only exists
as a figment of her hallucinations. Her mental illness deeply affects the rest of her family, who must figure out how to cope.
Next to Normal quickly earned accolades from numerous sources. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey are the creators of Next to Normal,
and both earned a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the show. Kitt also added two Tony Awards, sharing one with Yorkey. After making
its mark on Broadway, Next to Normal is now impressing new audiences all over the world.
Make sure you have your spot reserved when Next
to Normal comes to San Diego. This is a show that is sure to appeal to a wide range of audiences because of the depth
of the themes. The fact that it is a musical adds another dimension of drama. The best way to enjoy Next to normal is by bringing
your favorite people with you.