Next To Normal

Amazing show — amazing actors, writing, set, music. It really doesn’t get better than this.
You never know what you are getting into when you attend a show that you know nothing about. I am a fan of Andrea Ross and went to the show to see her. I am so glad that I did because it is outstanding. I don’t want to give much information about the show up… while it has light moments it is not a light show by any means. It seems to hit much of the audience as very close to home. The small venue of the SJ Rep is a great setting for this musical.
BRAVO!

A dark, disturbing, yet phenomenally beautiful show. Admittedly it took me a little while to get into it, but once I did — I plunged in headfirst with no intention of returning to reality. No wonder it won 3 Tony awards as well as the 2010 Pulitzer Prize!
THEME:
— — — –
The topic of mental illness typically faces negative stereotypes — due to images of dangerous patients in psych wards in films, TV, and pop culture. ‘Next to Normal’ challenges these stereotypes and portrays to the audience a woman and her family’s struggle to overcome mental illness through various types of therapy, including drug therapy. What started as a 10-​minute class project for the creators developed into a cohesive and powerful show. The creators of the musical did their research in order to realistically portray the effects of mental illness on families.
ACTING:
— — — —
What ridiculously amazing talent on one stage! All six of the actors were incredible as a group, staying true to their roles. Standout performers:
* Kendra Kassebaum as Diana, a woman struggling with bipolar disorder, completely owned her role with her ability to evoke such emotion from the audience. You’ll recognize her from Broadway’s Wicked, in which she played Glinda the Good. THIS is a totally different role for her, and she nailed it!
* Andrea Ross as Natalie, the woman’s daughter, had a strong pure voice and strong stage presence that allowed us to realize how difficult it is for family members to cope with mental illness.
* Jonathan Shew as Gabe had a beautiful voice that fitted his role perfectly and kept the audience in limbo between suspense and joy.
STAGING:
— — — — –
I have to give props to the director for his brilliant staging and blocking. The set encompasses the stage, and the audience gets to see through the open half of a house to view the family’s activities and to witness the mental illness even as it transforms the household. The use of a mirror on the bathroom cabinet is a simple yet powerful accent.
The actors’ blocking, down to the last gesture, was so natural and so heartfelt that I was completely riveted.
VERDICT:
— — — — –
Going in, I didn’t really know what to expect. I never thought I’d be THIS emotionally moved by any musical. I am not the type of person who cries easily. The last time I cried at a musical was while watching RENT, at the moment my favorite character dies.
By the last number in Act One of ‘Next To Normal’, I felt a little teary-​eyed but was not yet emotionally involved, as I was still trying to get used to the theme and contemporary music style. Throughout Act Two, I had to contain myself so as not to bawl outright in the back of the theater. I wish they had provided tissues in the program, or advised the audience members to bring a supply! By the end of Act Two, the entire audience was sniffling and wiping away tears.
What a stirring production and fantastic work of art. The show runs at SJ Rep until February 3, so check it out while you can.
TIP: If you are easily overcome by sad or happy tears, bring tissues. Yep, the whooole box.