The West End transfer of the Donmar Warehouse's 2023 Olivier-nominated staging of Next to Normal officially opened June 26, and the reviews are rolling in. Previews began June 18 at the Wyndham's Theatre.
The entire Donmar cast is making the journey to the Wyndham's for the 14-week engagement, again under the direction of Michael Longhurst.
Again starring in the production are Grammy and Olivier nominee Caissie Levy (Frozen) as Diana Goodman, Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton) as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, Jack Ofrecio (From Here to Eternity) as Henry, Olivier winner and Tony nominee Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Dan, Olivier nominee Jack Wolfe (Pinocchio) as Gabe, and Olivier winner and BAFTA nominee Eleanor Worthington-Cox (Matilda the Musical) as Natalie.
Read the reviews below.
London Box office (Stuart King)
The Upcoming (Jonathan Marshall)
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Standbys are Carolyn Maitland (Woman in White), who also stood by for the role of Diana during the Donmar engagement, plus newcomers Ben Heathcote (The Beautiful Game) as standby Dan/Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, Lizzy Parker (Heathers: The Musical) as standby Natalie, and Jake Rynolds (Grease) as standby Gabe/Henry.
Video: Watch Caissie Levy's Heartfelt 'I Miss the Mountains' From Next to Normal
The exploration of a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness has a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The original production won three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for the pair. The musical subsequently won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Longhurt said in an earlier statement, “Some stories pierce the heart of the human condition: Tom and Brian’s astonishing musical does just that—facing our deepest vulnerabilities whilst celebrating our capacity to endure. The outpouring of emotion from audiences at the Donmar was incredible: You could hear audible sobs before they surged to their feet every single night—like nothing I’ve experienced. Tickets were impossible to come by, so I am beyond thrilled that more people will nowbe able to experience the work of this extraordinary creative team.”
The production also has musical supervision by Nigel Lilley, set and costume design by Chloe Lamford, movement, choreography, and additional direction by Ann Yee, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Tony Gayle, video design by Tal Rosner, orchestrations by Michael Starobin and Kitt, musical direction by Nick Barstow, vocal arrangements by Annmarie Milazzo, and casting by Anna Cooper. The production manager is Chris Hay.
Next to Normal is produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, John Gore, Ambassador Theatre Group, Aaron Glick, Pine Street Productions, P3 Productions, and Donmar Warehouse.
Caissie Levy in Next to Normal
Jamie Parker and Caissie Levy in Next to Normal
Trevor Dion Nicholas and Caissie Levy in Next to Normal
Jamie Parker, Jack Wolfe and the Next to Normal band
Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Jamie Parker, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Caissie Levy, Jack Wolfe, and Jack Ofrecio in Next to Normal
Trevor Dion Nicholas in Next to Normal
Caissie Levy in Next to Normal
Jack Wolfe in Next to Normal
Jack Wolfe in Next to Normal
Jack Ofrecio and Eleanor Worthington-Cox in Next to Normal
Eleanor Worthington-Cox in Next to Normal
Eleanor Worthington-Cox and Jack Ofrecio in Next to Normal
Caissie Levy, Jack Wolfe, Jack Ofrecio, and Jamie Parker in Next to Normal
