Next to Normal

     A choice of Next to Normal that is interesting to note is the use of singing throughout the play. Something that I discovered in watching the performance is that whenever characters were in dialogue with each other, they use regular speak, but whenever they are alone they sing their thoughts or words. And in order to get a group singing effect, the characters are each in their own world despite their singing at the same time. This was a very effective way to differentiate between dialogue between the characters and monologues.
     Towards the end of, "Another Day," we have Gabe and Natalie singing together yet they are unaware of each other and so are in a sense alone. They then mirrored each other offstage, a choice made by the director for the Broadway show. Diana and Dan enter next and speak non-musically. When Diana leaves, Dan begins singing again. After his solo, Natalie, Diana, and Gabe join in singing their own rendition of "Another Day" all on top of each other. Despite being alone in their own worlds, the family is together in harmony at the beginning of the play. This is interesting in contrast to how the play ends. Despite the harmony the family achieves, they don't end up staying together due to Diana's mental issues despite Dan's loyalty.
     In "I am the One," Dan starts of singing and then is joined in by Gabe. Neither are aware of the other's presence. The are both singing to Diana, and it shows the parallels between Diana's reality, and her fantasy that her son is still alive.