Pulitzer-winning musical 'Next To Normal' to open in Korea in March

Poster of the upcoming Korean production of ″Next To Normal″ [MPN COMPANY]

Pulitzer-prize-winning rock musical "Next To Normal" is coming to Seoul in March with a Korean cast.

Slated to be staged from March 5 to May 19 at Kwanglim Arts Center BBCH Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, veteran actor Choi Jung-won is returning as protagonist Diana, alternating the role with Bae Hae-sun who will be starring in the role for the first time.

Lee Gun-myung and Michael Lee are alternating Dan, Diana's husband; Boy band B1A4 member and singer-songwriter Sandeul, musical actor and rock band N.Flying member Yoo Hwe-seung and rookie theater actor Hong Gi-beom will alternate Gabe, the couple's teenage son; and Kim Hwan-hee and Lee Seo-young will alternate Natalie, their teenage daughter.

"Next To Normal" is a modern family story surrounding a middle-aged woman with chronic bipolar disorder, Diana Goodman, and her family, who cope with her illness.

The book and lyrics are by Brian Yorkey, and the music is by Tom Kitt. It premiered off-Broadway in 2008 and on Broadway in 2009, sweeping nominations during the Tony Awards the same year and nabbing three wins, including Best Score. It was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2010.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]