Next to Normal: Mental Health on the Broadway Stage with Dr. Gil Harel

2008's Next to Normal presented audiences with something wholly unconventional in the Broadway canon: the story of a mother struggling with bipolar disorder and the ensuing impact on her immediate family. With lyrics by Brian Yorkey and an infectious score by Tom Kitt, the musical delves into the challenges facing suburban families in the age of modern psychopharmacology. Pulling no punches, Next to Normal invites the audience to examine the morally nebulous territory involved in the treatment of the mentally ill. Join Professor Gil Harel as he goes inside the score of this award-winning musical. Through analysis at the piano, he will attempt to show how catchy melodies and powerful leitmotifs come together to frame an unorthodox and unforgettably moving work.