BY: In part, absolutely. We never changed our goal through the many years of working on this show. We wanted to tell, as truthfully and humanly as possible, a story of a woman who struggled with mental illness and the family who struggled with her. What did change is how our work went over with audiences, with critics and especially with those who knew the subject matter intimately. Obviously, every single person has a different take on it, but over time you start to hear a consensus from these groups. There are things you hear again and again, and those are the ones you take to heart. We wanted this show to be an emotional experience, as honest as it could be, and we wanted people to experience emotions with Diana and her family -- to empathize, to share the experience, rather than just witness it.
KR: Next to Normal has received 11 Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical. Congratulations! Clearly, you don’t have to know someone with bipolar disorder to appreciate this musical. Why do you think so many people are connecting with the show?
BY: Thanks for the congrats! I think there are a few reasons why people are connecting with the show including an incredible cast under Michael Greif's smart, sensitive, yet powerful direction, and also Tom Kitt's wonderful music. As far as the story goes, I think two things.
First, I think many more of us are closer to these issues than others may know. Mental illness has touched someone we love in some way and I think Next to Normal is rare (certainly for musicals) in bringing these struggles to light and to some catharsis. I also think, even if our immediate families haven't experienced these exact issues, we've all struggled with a family dynamic that's...challenging. We recognize ourselves and our family members in the Goodmans. Some of the PR for the show says it's about "a family in crisis," and I always add, "But really, what family isn't?"
I also think the show provides a few laughs and a really good cry, and we all need those.
