Happy Hour #73: Just Another Podcast - ‘Next to Normal’
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We are very excited that this time around we are talking all about the exquisite, original rock musical ‘Next to Normal.’ Considered a masterpiece of its time, the show even won the prestigious Pulitzer for drama in 2010. Come and join Jimi and Tommy as they work out why it’s just so good in its lyrics, music and book, discuss why the show hasn’t had its West End premiere yet and the potential ways to explore the show in the future.
Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast)
Amazon / iTunes / Spotify
Instantly iconic, Alice Ripley’s Tony Award acceptance speech for Next to Normal is one not to be missed!
If you want a bit of flavour of The Real Fierce Alice Ripley, check out her Obsessed! video with Seth Rudetsky.
If you can bear it, see if you can get through the trainwreck that was the 2009 Tony Awards opening to see Aaron Tveit mashup with Stockard Channing...for some reason.
Fun question alert - this show has always been hugely requested, so what’s your Next to Normal experience? Let us know on Reddit!
Did you get to see the recent Canadian production of Next to Normal? If not, check out the trailer to see what you missed!
Technically not a bootleg, we’d never promote that, but here’s the out-of-place bop ‘Feeling Electric’ for your listening pleasure!
Carrie Fisher is exquisite and that’s all that needs to be said. So are the Goodmans.
Potentially one of the best explorations of mental health for adults and children alike, Inside Out is one not to be missed.

A Really Straightforward Quiz Question
Despite popular assumptions to the contrary, this musical is NOT the first musicalized mash-up of this author’s work. A previously created TV special stars, among other people, Kathy Najimy, Christopher Lloyd, Robin Williams and an entire gospel choir. What musical is the SECOND musicalized mash-up of this author’s work?
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