CORAL GABLES, FL. – The south Florida premiere of Next to Normal is the strongest musical we have seen on stage in years. Next to Normal is a Theatre Chat Top Pick! Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards®, this smash hit musical Next to Normal is on stage now at the Actors' Playhouse. Get your tickest now as this musical will sell out and is only in town for a limited run. Call Actors' Playhouse box office at 305-444-9293 or online visit www.actorsplayhouse.org.
To diagnosis this musical or put classification on this paly would include a psychiatric roller coaster ride with a bipolar manic-depressive suicidal schizophrenic family living with disorders, social stigma and prejudice. The stereotypes of todays medicated individuals have caused our suicidal social anxiety in every Next to Normal family. Who is Next to Normal?
With perfect Scenic Design by Gene Seyffer his skeleton set of the home gives us an inside look into the bare bones of this dysfunctional family. The multi tear scaffolding serves its purpose giving layers to each scence. Writers Brian Yorkey with his powerful lyrics (Book & Lyrics) and Tom Kitt (Music) choose compelling life events like a birthday, first dance to further the plot. To tell you the plot would giveaway the exciting moments of drama and comedic lines that will stay with you long after this curtain has fallen.
The outstanding elements bringing Next to Normal to life are Ellis Tillman (Costume Design), pop rock Patrick Tennent (Lighting Design), flawless Alexander Herrin (Sound Design).
The songs tell the story "Just Another Day" or is it? As we look into this family struggeling with "Who's Crazy"? "You don't know" "Superboy and the Invisible Girl"? with "Aftershocks" It's Gonna Be Good" "A Promise"!
The music direction from Eric Alsford is surperb. Eric's talent is bringing the best instrumentalist together down to the string instruments and vocally deamanding every phrase and harmony from the cast be dead on. And the music is dead on in every number bringing chills to you and the entire audience. The Broadway show was not a note stronger this cast rocks! Much thanks to Actors' Playhouse Band Eric Alsford (Conductor/Pianist), Martha Spangler (Bass), Roy Fantel (Drums/Percussion), Sandy Poltarack (Guitar), Elena Alamilla (Cello), Bogdan Chrusczc (Violin) and Jill Sher (Violin). Multi Carbonell Award winnning Eric Alsford is a sure bet for Next year's Best Music Direction Carbonell Award.
The Direction by Actors' Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco is his best yet. It's like choreograhping A Chorus Line you don't change Michael Bennett's Choreo. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. FYI This show dosen't need choreo. And there was no need to fix the Broadway staging but recapture the moments that made this musical a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning piece and Arisco shines! Next to Normal is the best Musical the state of Florida has seen in years.
David Arisco has given Florida a stellar cast. The casting is more than brilliant, with Jodie Langel (Diana) playing the amazing mother of this everyday family with her multidimensional character, call it bi-polar, manic-depressive or just social anxiety the elements that make up any Next to Normal family today. Jodie sings with her powerhouse voice that won Alice Ripley a Tony Award and should land Jodie Langel a Carbonell Award nomination next year. (as nominations are closed for this years Carbonell Awards).
Mark Sanders (Dan) plays the beloved husband till death do us part, so in love with his medicated wife he would do anything to save their marriage and does. His pop baritone voice is perfect and comforting. Eddy Rioseco (Gabe) mamma boys, a son in love with his mother. Eddy is an alumni of New World School of the Arts and his vocal chops are outstanding with vocal notes singing to heavens. He brings depth to his character and leaves a few surprises for the audience.
Another standout, if there could be one in this extremely talented ensemble piece is Sarah Amengual (Natalie) who plays a Next to Normal daughter. Sarah's acting and vocals are glorious. Sarah and Ben Liebert (Henry) spark on stage together as the romantically paired youth. Ben and Eddy played the same role in Wicked in different cast and again both of these young men talents are outstanding in vocal and acting choices bringing this electrifying pop-rock score to life.
Nick Duckart (Doctor Fine/Doctor Madden) plays his role "FINE" making strong choices that take us on a wild journey of a suburban family coping with crisis.. this intense, emotional and ultimately hopeful musical aims right for the heart with its story of a family coming to terms with its past and bravely facing its future.
Production team also includes Carl Waisanen (Production Stage Manager), Gaby Macias (Assistant Stage Manger), Gene Seyffer (Scenic Design), Ellis Tillman (Costume Design), Patrick Tennent (Lighting Design), Alexander Herrin (Sound Design). Producer Barbara S. Stein.
Actors' Playhouse is proud to be the first regional theatre in South Florida to produce the show following its long Broadway run and National Tour. Next to Normal will be presented at the Miracle Theatre from January 18 - February 12, 2012. For tickets call Actors' Playhouse box office at 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org.
The most talked about new show on Broadway, Next to Normal is the acclaimed and compelling hit-musical "that pushes Broadway in new directions" (Rolling Stone). Next to Normal's surging score, with emotional book and lyrics, tells the story of one woman’s struggle with manic depression and the toll it takes on her family.
"Next to Normal is the most powerful and riveting piece of musical theatre written in the last decade," said Artistic Director David Arisco. "I'm extremely excited to follow in the footsteps of last year's August: Osage County with a production of another Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Our cast, band, design and creative team are more than up to the task of taking our South Florida audience on this electrifying musical journey."
Next to Normal features an impressive cast with strong ties to both the New York and South Florida theatre communities. Jodie Langel, playing Diana, premiered on Broadway as the role of Cosette in Les Miserables and later went on to play the role of Eponine. Now living back in South Florida, Langel's Broadway tour credits include the role of Bertrande in the Pre-Broadway tour of Martin Guerre, the Narrator in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Grizabella in the National Tour of CATS.
Mark Sanders, who was last seen as Perchik on the Broadway National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof, will play the role of Dan. Eddy Rioseco, a native Miami boy, will play the role of Gabe. Rioseco's New York shows include Fame (Nick), Mamma Mia (Pepper) and Wicked (Boq), with television/film credits that include "Parenthood" (recurring), "Hacienda Heights" (pilot) and "Chastity Bites" (lead).
Sarah Amengual, playing Natalie, is thrilled to be back in her hometown and performing at Actors’ Playhouse following a move to NYC to take over the role of Maria in the Broadway production of West Side Story. Ben Liebert, a New York based actor taking on the role of Henry, has spent over two years playing Boq in Wicked, first on Broadway at the Gershwin Theater and then on the first National Tour.
Rounding out the cast is multi Carbonell Award winner Nick Duckart playing the roles of Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine. Duckart, who was last seen at Actors' Playhouse in the World Premiere of The Color of Desire by Nilo Cruz, has a list of prestigious credits including Evita (w/ Lauren Kennedy), Dr. Radio (Carbonell Award) and Farragut North (Carbonell Award).
Next to Normal features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by David Arisco. The creative team also includes Gene Seyffer (set design), Ellis Tillman (costume design), Patrick Tennent (lighting design), and Alexander Herrin (sound design). Musical direction is by multi Carbonell Award winner Eric Alsford.
Next to Normal opened on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 8 p.m. and play through February 12, 2012. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with afternoon matinees on Sunday at 2 p.m. A special weekday matinee is scheduled on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 2 p.m.
A series of pre and post-show talkbacks to promote dialogue on mental wellness, lead by Next to Normal's cast members and a team of mental health professionals provided by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, are scheduled throughout the production run. Full details and a complete schedule outline will be available at www.actorsplayhouse.org.
Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $40, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $48. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability and exclude Saturday and Sunday. Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org.
Richard Cameron of Theatre Chat thanks Actors Playhouse. Next to Normal was a Theatre Chat Top Pick on Broadway. Next to Normal is one of the most important musicals in the history of musical theatre, a must see show! Cameron's articles have featured conversations with Tony Award winning Producer Stewart Lane, Emmy Award winning Casting Director Jeff Greenberg, multiple Broadway and TV stars and creative teams bringing arts lovers together around the world for the largest social media arts movement. Tag You're it! Share with your communities.
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