Next to Normal

Internationally acclaimed musical actress Willemijn Verkaik (a.o. Wicked, Frozen) is back in the Netherlands - this time as Diana in the multi-award-winning Broadway hit Next to Normal. Diana lives with bipolar disorder, which blurs the line between imagination and reality in her family. Husband Dan (Edwin Jonker) saves what can be saved; son Gabe flies in all directions; daughter Natalie flees into pills and perfectionism. As a viewer, you are dragged into the life of a family that seems 'ordinary' on paper, but fights for hold on behind the front door.

"Next to Normal is something much more than a feel-good musical: it is a feel-everything musical." (The New York Times)

With three Tony Awards (2009) and the Pulitzer Prize for drama (2010) under its belt, Next to Normal belongs to a rare club: only ten musicals were ever awarded that prize. Director Anouk Beugels, known for MELK, a motherfucking musical (overladen with five Musical Awards in 2024), deliberately opts for a direct, unpolished approach. Raw, contemporary and imaginative - exactly how NANOEK makes musicals. Hence also this new translation by Judith Boesen. Propelled by steaming pop-rock score, brought live by a four-piece band. This brings the story far beyond the words: you feel the highs and lows in every fibre of your body.

And because NANOEK goes beyond just making musicals, the company creates an in-depth context programme around the performance on the theme and genre of musical. Straight to the point - with guts, humour and recognition.

This show will feature a free pre-show at 19:15. Please do order free tickets. Then we know you will be there!

Musicals Series This show is part of the Musicals Series, Three Evenings. Three musicals that prove that musical is much more than feathers and 'jazz hands'. A Pulitzer-winning rock musical that hits you hard. An over-the-top comedy in which Céline Dion hijacks the Titanic. And a brand-new Dutch musical full of Afro beats by a creator you don't know yet, but will soon remember. For the music lover. Or not. Just come. Order the series here!