The Best ‘Next To Normal’ Songs to Sing in the Shower

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Next to Normal has landed at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre (until Feb. 20) and features Alice Ripley reprising her Tony Award-winning role as Diana, a bipolar mother who tries to cope with her illness, treatment and her relationship with her family — who has their own issues with her illness. Also featuring a small, yet strong ensemble of Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen (Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry), it’s emotional, intense — and it has some rock-inspired music that will stick to your ears well after you have left the theater. Cut from the same cloth as too-cool-for-theater productions like Spring Awakening and American Idiot, [amazon_link id="B001VRDRFG" target="_blank" ]Next To Normal[/amazon_link] was created by the director of Rent and it deals with hot button issues that audiences actually pay attention to (i.e. suicide, drug use, suburbia, broken relationships) — all set to an guitar riffin’ score.

That said, I have compiled a list of songs from the musical that you can belt out in the shower (or in your car, slumber parties, in front of your bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone):

“Superboy and the Invisible Girl”: Natalie sings this track to express her anger to her mom about being “invisible” compared to her brother who no longer exists. I immediately downloaded this track when I got home from watching the musical. It’s pretty awesome to belt out in the shower AND they use superhero references which makes it extra awesome.

“I’m Alive”: As a moment for the “spirit” of Gabe to cloud the mind of Diana, it’s one of the most rockin’ songs on the soundtrack. It has shades of ’80s rock musical flair that makes you want to wear a denim jacket and pump your fist.

“Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I’m Falling”: It features three or four parts, but you can EASILY sing all of them AND harmonize with yourself.

“There’s a World”: This is the perfect song to put in your set list if you want to get more intimate and “slow it down a bit” with your imaginary audience at your imaginary revue. Very touching.

“Light”: The perfect finale song for the musical is the perfect closer for your shower repertoire. Again, be prepared to harmonize with yourself.

Purchase tickets for Next To Normal by calling 888-746-1799 or by visiting shnsf.com.