TWITTER WATCH: NEXT TO NORMAL - 'Can I say buttload?'

BroadwayWorld.com presents its newest column, Twitter Watch, which will bring you only the best and most interesting reports straight from the mouths of Broadway stars, shows and more on the hot social networking service - Twitter!

We begin the Twitter Watch week with the Broadway musical Next to Normal. The acclaimed production recently announced the voting results of the first part of its groundbreaking Twitter song project. Based on suggestions from Twitter followers, Next to Normal creators Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey will write a song for the show's characters Dr. Madden & Gab.

n2nbroadway

TOM: Weigh in for your favorites on Twtpoll! http://twtpoll.com/n68nru
17 minutes ago from web

Act Two: After MAKE UP YOUR MIND/CATCH ME I'M FALLING (Reprise) and before MAYBE (when Diana leaves treatment).
23 minutes ago from web

Act One: After I'VE BEEN and before DIDN'T I SEE THIS MOVIE (where Dr. Madden prescribes ECT.)
24 minutes ago from web

TOM: I wish you wouldn't. Anyway, Tweeps, these are the final choices.
24 minutes ago from web

BRIAN: It was a tough job, because there was a buttload of exciting suggestions. Can I say buttload?
26 minutes ago from web

If you missed N2N's Twitter performance or want to find out more about the live show on Broadway, you can find it here http://tr.im/sP77
about 3 hours ago from web

TOM: The decision has been made! We'll all be writing a song for Dr. Madden & Gabe!
2:43 PM Aug 20th from web

BRIAN: First, let's recap. Here were the options: Henry, Dr. Madden, Natalie & Henry, Dr. Madden & Gabe, Natalie & Dr. Madden
2:41 PM Aug 20th from web

TOM: Are you guys ready to find out which character(s) will sing the new song?
2:34 PM Aug 20th from web

The Broadway musical Next to Normal's groundbreaking Twitter Performance has amassed over 560,000 followers since launching on May 5, surpassing such national brands as Starbucks and MTV and popular celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Jordin Sparks. The Twitter Performance, which unfurled from May 5 - June 7, told the story of the Tony-winning musical via Tweets from each of the characters, offering new insights into the storyline as well as a chance to hear sections from the Tony-winning score. The hugely successful performance also included questions for the cast and creative team submitted by the followers post-performance. The entire story can be viewed here.

The Twitter Performance culminated with a new song written by the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Next to Normal, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, based on suggestions from the followers - everything from which characters are performing the song and where it takes place in the story, to song structure and lyric suggestions. Suggestions were submitted via Twitter @N2NBroadway.

The song will have its world premiere at an event at the 92nd Street Y Tribeca (200 Hudson Street) on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00pm. For tickets and information, please visit www.92ytribeca.org or call 212-601-1000.

"The Twitter performance has allowed us to enrich the Next to Normal experience for the fans of our show and, even more exciting, to introduce the show and its story to a new audience which may never have heard of the show otherwise," states Tony Award-winning lyricist/book writer Brian Yorkey. "It's been a real success -- an exciting creative opportunity, and a chance to build a real community and dialogue with fans. Tom and I are really looking forward to the next step of writing this song with their input."

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).

Tickets are priced $25.00 - $115.00. Tickets are available at www.Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.

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