Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...This musical held its audience rapt on Thursday. Each time I've seen this piece, I've found myself anticipating the pleasure of melody and the profundity of lyrics in an unusually intense way. Most important of all, the vulnerability of everyone you are watching is, in this fine production, palpable and indisputable."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Next to Normal is the tale of a middle-class American family in extremis. Living on a "latte and a prayer," as someone puts it. The mom, Diana Goodman, was diagnosed as bipolar, depressive, and delusional 16 years prior to the events we see—probably at about the time she burned down the house, wrecked the car, and (inadvertently) killed the cat. Modern psychopharmocology has smoothed her out but utterly failed to cure her, while husband Dan is going crazy trying to maintain an even strain. Teenage daughter Natalie exhibits all the symptoms of PTSD as she prepares for a high school piano concert. And then there's son Henry, who's a very special problem unto himself."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The cast gives universally solid performances, with newcomer Tolle standing out especially for his clear and commanding voice. Dissonant chords and intricately layered vocal parts work overtime, mirroring the off-kilter tone of the action and folding in thoughtful parallels and a rising and falling sense of chaos. It’s occasionally unclear whether stray notes and clashing harmonies are intentional, but that could very well be the idea. Drury Lane’s appears to have been a risk worth taking. Normal taps a realistic nerve with honesty and hope."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Technically everything about Drury Lane's production works seamlessly with the other. Tammy Mader's choreography weaves in and out of Mr. Osetek's blocking without even realizing you have just witnessed a dance scene; while the blocking and the dancing take place a pseudo, mulit-tiered Plexiglas set (designer Scott Davis) that has the ability to morph into different primary colors via Healther Gilbert's lighting. Ray Nardelli's sound is balanced and crisp allowing Ben Johnson's brilliant music direction fill the auditorium like never before."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"..."Next to Normal" is not a feel good musical, but a truly believable drama that can ignite your emotions and enlighten your understanding of some of extreme life problems people have or could face in their futures. The author wrote a very heart-wrenching story that demands exceptional singers with remarkable acting ability. For a very memorable night of theater, let your mind and heart embrace "Next to Normal", a brilliant and exceptionally rare theater experience indeed!"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Our regional theaters, such as Marriott Lincolnshire, Steppenwolf,Victory Gardens,The Goodman, and Drury Lane Oakbrook just keep surprising theater audiences with the productions they take on to their smaller stages. I continue to say that we are THE theater town and our ability to do some of the large Broadway shows in our regional theaters, often better than the original is why I feel the way I do. Drury Lane in Oakbrook is presenting the Regional Premiere of the Tony Award winning musical " Next To Normal" in a production that is far superior to the road show that played here earlier. "Next To Normal" with a book by Brian Yorkey ( who also wrote the lyrics) and music by Tom Kitt might be considered a "rock opera" instead of a musical in that there are no large production numbers and the music is there to move the story along."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
For audiences ready to pack away their light, fluffy summer entertainments with their flip-flops and Bermuda shorts, in favor of an emotionally demanding musical, or who are simply looking for a more dramatic, grittier experience that will touch their their souls and make them think, they won't find a finer production. Once again Bill Osetek's suburban gem proves it deserves its place among America's finest regional theatres with a production that shouldn't be missed. It's hard to imagine that any other musical this season will top the multi-layered excellence found in Oakbrook's "Next to Normal."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"..."Next to Normal" is a special kind of show, as rare on Broadway as it is at Drury Lane. The musical makes demands on the audience, but the show remains very accessible as well as very human. On the surface the subject matter sounds depressing, especially because the show is uncompromising in its vision of a condition that could conceivably touch anyone in the audience. But the staging and the performances elevate "Next to Norma" to a very high plateau of theatrical excellence. Drury Lane deserves commendation for scheduling the musical and commercial success for the quality of its presentation."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"....Its daring choice of subject matter alone is reason to admire this show. This is not your typical feel-good musical. Instead it's what many have described as a "feel-everything" musical. This is not a musical where you can go to escape inside it and forget about your troubles for a couple hours; instead this is a musical where you go to make a connection. It will leave you thinking long after you've left the theatre. It's really what all art should aim to do. "
