The Broadway musical Next to Normal's groundbreaking Twitter campaign, which has amassed over 850,000 followers since launching on May 5, will culminate on Wednesday, October 28 with the world premiere of a new song written by the show's Tony-winning songwriters, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, based on over 4,000 suggestions from the show's followers. The song, Something I Can't See, will be performed by cast members Louis Hobson (Dr. Madden) and Aaron Tveit (Gabe) at 92Y Tribeca (200 Hudson Street) on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00pm. The one-night-only event will include a panel discussion, moderated by New York Observer theater critic Jesse Oxfeld, featuring Mr. Kitt and Mr. Yorkey, as well as Director Michael Greif and Producer David Stone. Tickets and information are available at www.92YTribeca.org.
Next to Normal has solicited suggestions from the Twitter followers on all aspects of the new song, from which characters are performing it and where it takes place in the musical's storyline, to song structure and lyric suggestions. The song will not be incorporated into the Tony-winning musical.
Portions of the October 28 event, which will also include questions answered by cast members via video, will be available to view via Twitter. Fans around the world are encouraged to follow the event live via the show's Twitter (www.Twitter.com/n2nbroadway) or by searching #n2nevent on Twitter.
With a thrilling contemporary score, the Tony-winning Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.
Ben Brantley of the New York Times calls Next to Normal "a brave, breathtaking musical. A work of muscular grace and power." Peter Travers of Rolling Stone raves, "Rock is alive and rolling like thunder in Next to Normal. It is the best musical of the season by a mile. Next time you think the Broadway musical is dead, head off to Next to Normal. It'll pin you to your seat." Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News proclaims it is "next to wondrous - hopeful and uplifting, Next to Normal is an exceptional show that says something meaning and powerful." Adam Feldman of Time Out New York calls it "surprising and moving, a thoughtful, emotional musical for grown-ups" and Robert Feldberg of The Record raves that Next to Normal is "an exciting leap into the possibilities of musical theater."
Next to Normal won three 2009 Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley), Best Score (Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey), and Best Orchestrations (Tom Kitt and Michael Starobin).
Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski
