Next to Normal to have its Broadway premiere at the Longacre Theatre

Producers David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre have announced that the original musical, Next to Normal, will come to Broadway this spring.

The musical will arrive on the Great White Way direct from its critically-acclaimed engagement at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, opening at the Longacre Theatre on 15 Apr 2009, following previews from 27 Mar.

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's musical, Next to Normal, directed by Michael Greif (Rent, Grey Gardens), opened at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre on 13 Feb 2008 and was significantly reworked in a subsequent out-of-town run at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, where it opened on 10 Dec 2008.

The musical's unusual trajectory from a New York Off-Broadway premiere to an out-of-town regional theatre engagement and then back to Broadway is unprecedented.

"Anyone who has been involved with the creation of an original musical knows that much of the work happens in the rewriting," says producer David Stone. "From the day after Next to Normal opened off-Broadway through opening night at Arena Stage, Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, and Michael Greif were committed to improving and rewriting this show with a level of dedication and focus I have seldom seen from a creative team. The path to Broadway for Next to Normal has been highly unconventional and, in retrospect, the best thing that could have happened to this musical."

"A second chance is something you rarely get as a writer," explained composer Tom Kitt. "While the critical response to Next to Normal at Second Stage was encouraging, we knew there were major changes we had to make to the show. Brian and I really listened to the critical response and the audience reaction and were fortunate to have the chance to keep working. We've written five new songs and cut substantial material that was not landing. The result is the musical that Brian and I always wanted it to be."

In his review of the Arena Stage production, Peter Marks of The Washington Post, wrote, "Next to Normal is a moving, blisteringly honest, and inordinately powerful new musical, sung with a wallop by a six-member cast that includes the astonishing Alice Ripley, and dexterously directed by Michael Greif. Writers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey have stocked the musical with beautiful songs that get to the heart of the story- and simply get to the heart." And Jayne Blanchard in The Washington Times called the show, "A transcendent production of a powerful new American musical with a bristling, contemporary rock score, smart lyrics and raw energy."

Next to Normal is a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis, and shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact.

In order to maintain the necessary intimacy for this six-person musical, the second balcony of the Longacre Theatre will be closed for the entire run of Next to Normal, providing an intimate setting of 820 seats.

The musical recently received five Helen Hayes Award nominations for its Arena Stage engagement, including Outstanding Non-Resident Production, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production (Alice Ripley), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production (J. Robert Spencer), and Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Non-Resident Production (Aaron Tveit and Jennifer Damiano).

For its sold-out Second Stage Theatre engagement, Next to Normal won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score and also received the following accolades: Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Featured Actor (Aaron Tveit), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Kevin Adams); Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Music; Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley); and a Drama League nomination for Outstanding Musical, among others.

The Broadway production will feature the entire Arena Stage cast: Alice Ripley, J. Robert Spencer, Aaron Tveit, Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson.

Ripley, Tveit, Damiano and Chanler-Berat were also in the Second Stage Theatre production.

Next to Normal features set design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Jeff Mahshie, lighting design by Kevin Adams, and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Alice Ripley was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as 'Violet Hilton' in 'Side Show' (1997), her other Broadway credits include 'The Rocky Horror Show' (2000 revival), 'James Joyce's The Dead' (2000), 'Sunset Boulevard' (1994), 'The Who's Tommy' (1993) and 'Les Mis�rables ' (1987).

Brian D'arcy James most recently starred on Broadway in 'The Apple Tree' (2006 revival) with Kristen Chenoweth. He originated the role of 'Brendan' in the Broadway production of 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' (2006) by Martin McDonagh, and played 'Freddy Benson' in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' (2005). He received a Tony nomination for his portrayal of 'Sidney Falco' in the Broadway musical 'Sweet Smell of Success' (2002).

Aaron Tveit received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for his performance in the Second Stage Theatre premiere production of 'Next to Normal.' He is currently performing on Broadway in 'Wicked' (Fiyero), adding to his other Broadway credit as 'Link Larkin' in 'Hairspray.'

Jennifer Damiano made her Broadway debut in 'Spring Awakening' as the youngest member of the original cast at the age of 15 (Ensemble/Swing: Ilse, Martha, Thea, Anna).

Adam Chanler-Berat appeared on Broadway in the final performance of 'Les Mis�rables.' 'Next to Normal' will mark his Broadway debut in a featured role.

Louis Hobson s making his Broadway debut in the production. He made his East Coast stage debut with the Arena Stage production of 'Next to Normal.'

Tom Kitt (score) is the composer and co-orchestrator of 'High Fidelity' (Broadway) and 'Next to Normal,' which received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Score, as well as Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Drama League nominations. He composed the original music for 'From Up Here' (MTC), and his songs with the Tom Kitt Band have been featured in film and TV.

Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics): 'Next to Normal' marks his Broadway debut. He has directed off-Broadway and regionally, and for seven years was Associate Artistic Director at Village Theatre in Washington state.

Michael Greif (Director) received his first nomination for a Tony Award for the musical 'Rent '(1996), and was nominated for a second Tony Award in 2007 for the musical 'Grey Gardens' (2007).