Next to Normal is a Tony Award winning rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story revolves around a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.
The musical's 2008 off-Broadway premier garnered an Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score as well as two Drama Desk Award nominations. In 2009, the Broadway production of Next to Normal won three Tony Awards (Best Original Score, Best Orchestration, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical) and was nominated for elven, including Best Musical.