10. Next to Normal Production by Atlantis Productions Possibly one of the best local musicals I’ve ever seen in my life, and one of the most profound. I watched this during their 2nd run in the Carlos P. Romulo Theater at the RCBC, Makati. Next to Normal (styled as next to normal) is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. — wikipedia It was incredibly relevant to me as an individual, and they hit on the spot when it came to expressing the frustrations of someone suffering from mental illness. For anyone who has ever suffered with something like this, or has loved someone who has, this is the perfect play to encompass the kind of intensity and emotional roller coasters involved on both ends. I had watched five other musicals this year, but this one was the one by the landslide. The story was great, the stage was simple and didn’t distract the audience from the amazing acting ability of their cast, especially with the main female character.
