The N2N team held a new musical presentation today with Idina Menzel

So today during the Jersey Boys auditions at Pearl Studios there was a musical workshop presentation going on. From what I gathered it was the writing team of Next to Normal. Also directed by Michael Greif and some of the members of the cast I saw were Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Celia Kennan-Bolger, Adam Kantor, and Kyle Dean Massey.

I only heard a few pieces, but it sounds very much like Next to Normal. Apparently they have been there all week rehearsing.

After seeing Idina live in Buffalo this past Saturday...I am not ashamed to say that I WANT her back on the Broadway stage.

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This time we find out Natalie's always been dead, too.

"Next to Normal AND Idina Menzel? The tweens are going to shlt their pants. Seriously, they're going to make a mess."

If the reactions around the studios is any indications, than definitely. As people were leaving auditions they could hear them in the hall. Idina's voice is very distinctive, so people stuck around for a bit.

It sounds like an interesting musical. It is rocky like N2N, but not as loud. But that could just be because the lead is Idina Menzel and not Alice "Batsh1t" Ripley.

Colin Donnell was also there. I just remembered. He and Idina had a duet.

This must be that musical version of Twilight.

Yeah... something is really bound to leak out when you write on a message board about it.

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"Yeah... something is really bound to leak out when you write on a message board about it."

HA! Like people are really checking the boards like that. Or give a damn.

Alternate titles:

"Next to Next to Normal"
"Normal Adjacent"
"Wicked Normal"
"Defying Normal"
"Normal and I"

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They're actually working on a PREQUEL called "Normal: Gabe Never Dies."

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And aside from changing the key, they're reworking the same songs.

IDINA:
He slips into your thoughts,
He infiltrates your soul,
He takes you by surprise,
Then seizes full control.

Try to deny it
And try to protest,
But Gabe won't let you go
Once you've been possessed...

Gabe never dies,
Gabe never falters.
Gabe will continue,
When you're gone.

That's all I heard with my ear up against the door.

Can anyone ensure that KDM will somehow be shirtless in boxer shorts for this? Possibly for a whole song.

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All right, so what are they really working on? Seems strange it could be so under the radar. Any one here know?

Hey there. Long time reader of these boards, but I actually have a bit of information on this matter.

Two summers ago, Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt were working on a new show of theirs at Village Theater in Issaquah, Washington (This is the same theater that they first held very early previews for Feeling Electric aka. Next to Normal). This new show they were/possibly still are working on was called In Your Eyes. It's a musical about a high school shooting. Personally, I would love to see this done. I didn't get to see this work in progress however, as it was invitation only.

Also, Brian Yorkey came to my school for a playwriting workshop and I asked him about this. He said that he hopes for it to get made, but he's also working on another show currently. I don't recall getting much more than that, so maybe this is that show.

Just thought I'd share what I have.