`Chronology of the Playwright

Brian Yorkey, lyricist and book writer, and Tom Kitt, composer of Next to Normal, have
worked writing shows together since they met as undergrads at Columbia College. The idea for
Next to Normal began when they were in the BMI musical Theatre Writers Workshop and they
needed something to write about for their final project which was a 10 minute musical. They
wanted to think out of the box and write about something different than anybody else. This is
when Brian saw a new report on electro convulsive therapy and became intrigued because he did
not think that these types of therapies were still being practiced. Brian called Tom right away and
gave him the idea to write about a woman who has struggled with depression most of her life and
has turned to electro convulsive therapies to overcome her problems. Tom thought it was a good
idea and this is how Next to Normal started to take life. Brian Yorkey, informed himself to write
this play with family members and friends in his life who have struggled with depression.
However, Next to Normal is not based on any specific person.
Even though musical theatre can be considered a cheesy genre, Tom Kitt thought that it
was a good idea to make this show a musical because the subject matter is filled with many
heightened emotions and incorporating music into the show would convey that much more
appropriately. During an interview with DC Theatre Scene, Tom said, Putting music to this type
of condition presents an enormous challenge, but also, an enormous opportunity to be creative
and unpredictable. However, I always wanted the score to be tuneful because for me, the way
into serious human emotion is through strong melody (dctheatrescene.com). This is a quote that
really sticks out because Tom Kitt did an amazing job reflecting the instability of manic
depression through his unstable melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that never stayed in one place.

Toms music helps the audience empathize with Diana while shes going through her difficult
moments rather than just witnessing her struggle.
Tom and Brian mentioned in one if their many interviews that the most difficult song and
scene to write was the final moment between Natalie and Diana towards the end of the play. It
was difficult because it is a very important moment and he did not want it to become a
predictable or clich moment. Brian and Tom rewrote the song/scene about six times before they
became satisfied with the final version. Brian and Tom work well as partners and that is
something that is noticeable because the way the lyrics and the music blend is perfect and it
helps convey a clear story to the audience. They work in many different ways. Sometimes they
start with the lyrics and other times they start with the music. If a song is very book oriented and
needs to convey textual information, Brian will take over first and start with lyrics. However, if
the song needs to be more emotional oriented, Tom will take over first and write the music.
Next to Normal started as a workshop project and is now one of the biggest hit musicals
of this generation. This show gave these two talented writers an enormous jump start on their
careers. Thanks to Next to Normal, Brian Yorkie and Tom Kitt are seen as the new it writing
couple; the new generation of Rodgers and Hammerstein, or Gilbert and Sullivan. Their latest
work is called If/Then which is being produced in Broadway by David Stone, who produced
Wicked and Next to Normal, it is being directed by Michael Greif who was the director of Rent
and Next to Normal.