Commencement Carnival 2009

[X]
	I am a Columbia graduate of the Class of 2009 (May 2009, February 2009, and October 2008 conferral dates).

	I am NOT a Class of 2009 graduate but have a Columbia affiliation (alumni, parent, faculty, staff, or other).

Celebrate your graduation with family and friends by taking advantage of New York City like never before. Commencement Carnival 2009 brings you a festival of the city's best culinary arts and culture on the cheap.
11 days, 22 featured events, 44 restaurants.

In order to take advantage of Commencement Carnival events, graduating students and recent alumni must present their Columbia Alumni Arts League membership cards at all venues to redeem their benefits. The Class of 2009 can sign up for a FREE one year membership online or in person at the Ticket and Information Center located in the lobby of Lerner Hall on 115th and Broadway and open Monday 3-8PM, Tuesday - Friday 1-8PM, and Saturday 3-10PM.

next to normal

LOCATION:

Booth Theatre

222 W. 45th Street
New York, NY 10036

DIRECTIONS: By Subway, take the A/C/E to 42nd Street, walk north on Eight Avenue and then turn right onto 45th Street. Or take the 1/2/3 to 42nd Street, walk north on Seventh Avenue and then make a left onto 45th Street.

DATE: May 14 2009
TIME: Thursday 8:00 PM to 10:45 PM
PRICE: $30 Tickets

WHAT:

On Thursday, May 14th see the new "brave, breathtaking" rock musical next to normal and meet the two Columbians who created it, composer Tom Kitt '96CC and lyricist Brian Yorkey '93CC. The duo first collaborated 15 years ago when they wrote the music, lyrics, and book to the 100th Annual Varsity Show, Angels at Columbia: Centennial Approaches. The Assistant Director for Next to Normal, Laura Pietropinto is also a Columbia alum ('00CC), as is one of the producers, Barbara Whitman ('05SoA).

next to normal is a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis. With provocative lyrics and a score featuring more than 30 original songs, the musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. And just last week, next to normal was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor and Actress in a Musical, Best Score and Best Direction of a Musical!

Don't miss your chance to see the show and hear from its creators.

Check out the critical reviews:

Ben Brantley of the NYTimes loved it. Read the review here.

Check out behind the scenes footage of the music here.

Read the Columbia College Today article about Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey here.

"next to normal represents the kind of piece we always aspired to create. While mental illness is a subject matter that may not be an obvious choice for a musical, anyone dealing with this terrible affliction knows that it takes you to extreme places of emotion, the kind of emotions one would sing about in a musical. And through this form, we have been blessed to be a part of creating something new and original with its own voice and its own power about something we have all dealt with in some way."

-Tom Kitt ‘96CC and Brian Yorkey ‘96CC

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS:

Ruby Foos Times Square
Lucille's Bar & Grill
Utsav Festiv India
Trattoria Dopo Teatro
Blue Fin

Back to More Events >>

Commencement Carnival Terms and Conditions
1.) Commencement Carnival 2009 is open to the Class of 2009 (students who expect to graduate in May 2009 and recent alumni with degrees conferred in October 2008 and February 2009) and their guests.
2.) All ticket purchasers must provide the name of the graduating student(s). The Arts Initiative reserves the right to confirm the student's graduation term.
3.) Class of 2009 Commencement Carnival participants will be registered in the Columbia Alumni Arts League (CAAL). Membership is free for one year from the date of purchase.
4.) The CAAL membership card must be presented at all box offices, venues, and restaurants in order to obtain tickets, benefits and discounts.