This Week's Cultural News VCR2

"Next to Normal" is no ordinary musical.
It won 3 Tony Awards in 2009, the same year it opened on Broadway, and also became the 8th musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2010.
Now, it is wowing Korean audiences.

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[Interview : Kolleen Park, Actress] "I never thought of myself as the music director for this piece, because this piece was so appealing that such a thought wasn't possible".

Diana's family looks perfect from the outside, consisting of her architect husband Dan, humorous son Gabe and overachieving daughter Natalie.
However, Diana has a problem, as she is unable to fulfill her roles as a wife and a mother.

[Interview : Nam Gyeong-ju, Actor] "I could sympathize with the pain of the family featured in the musical. This musical contains the kind of serious thoughts or aspects that are found in everyday life".

The musical's themes cover mental illnesses and communication problems among family members, so "Next to Normal" compels its audience to think deeply about life.
This is further emphasized by the perfect combination of a solid storyline and fast-paced musical numbers.

[Interview : Kolleen Park, Actress] "There are many five or six-piece vocal ensembles, as well as songs with different rhythms, like 7/8 or 6/8. The kind of music is very varied, but I'm enjoying the challenge".

One of this musical's standout points is its steel stage set.
The three-story set brought over from Broadway presents a modern and sophisticated feel.

[Interview : Kim Go-gyeong, Audience member] "Most musical stages are very simple and monotonous, but this musical's multi-floor stage made it less boring compared to stages where actors and actresses walk back and forth on the same floor".

"Next to Normal" is the beginning of a new trend of musicals, featuring coherent stories with heart-thumping numbers!
It is a great performance for those expecting a show that goes beyond of just being "normal".