Musical 'Next to Normal' At Arena Stage Is A Must See

Can you imagine the meeting of Next to Normal creators Tom Kitt (composer) and Brian Yorkey (lyricist and book writer,) who have been writing shows together since they met at Columbia, discussing "Let's do a show about someone with Bi-Polar disorder?" Can you imagine what sort of emotional commitment it takes to write a plot that deals with a mother whose affliction affects the lives of her husband and daughter, and then must confront the death of a child?

Can you picture yourself as the producer who read that summary of the plot and said "Great, here's the money?"

Well, believe it or not, after seeing this tremendous production at the Arena Stage in Crystal City, VA, I give Artistic Director Molly Smith a great deal of credit for recognizing this pearl of a musical that addresses a serious and topical subject that affects so many in our society.

The gestation of the show began Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre where it received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score and was nominated for Outstanding Musical by the Outer Circle Critics, Drama League, and Lortel Awards. Upon seeing this improved edition, you can certainly understand why it got the accolades it so richly deserves.

Is there anything more exciting to witness then something NEW, not based on a film, a cartoon, or a book- something entirely original? How about a musical that boasts more than 30 original songs and explores how a suburban household copes with a crisis?

Add an established twice-nominated for a Tony Award Director (Michael Grief), four members of the original Off-Broadway cast: Alice Ripley (Tony nominee for Side Show),Adam Chanler-Berat, Jennifer Damiano (Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening), and Aaron Tveit, and two new additions, Louis Hobson, and one of the original Jersey Boys, J. Robert Spencer.

There's so much talent involved in this production. One first notices the amazing three-tier set by Mark Wendland. Musical Director, conductor, and onstage piano player is Charlie Alterman, who leads a terrific crew of musicians: Damien Bassman on drums & percussion, Yuiko Kamakari (violin and keyboard), Jennifer Lang (cello), Eric B. Davis (guitars) and Mark Vanderpoel (bass). I love that you get a chance to observe them all on different levels of the set. They play a vital part of the show.

But it's the cast that shines in this difficult and complex piece. Ripley is superb in her role of the afflicted mother and does a masterful job. This is one of the most complex characters that I've seen in a musical in a long time. Spencer comes a long way from playing Nick Massi in Jersey Boys. Both he and Ripley were in Side Show together and their bonding is quite apparent.

Damiano plays the daughter and does a superb job in a demanding role.

Chanler-Berat plays the daughter's boyfriend Henry who has a tough time establishing a relationship.

Tveit is terrific reprising his role as Gabe for which he also received a Lortel nomination Off-Broadway. What a stretch from playing Fiyero on Broadway in Wicked!

The final character in the six-person cast is Louis Hobson (playing two different doctors).

This is one talented ensemble.

And the contemporary score is so wonderful I wanted to buy the CD to listen to on the way home.

I found myself sitting in the theater after the curtain marveling at this production. Do not miss the opportunity to see this ORIGINAL musical. Don't let the subject scare you.

Pick-up the wonderful four page Study Guide to the play in the lobby.

And for a nice interview with creators Kitt and Yorkey by Joel Markowitz visit http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/11/chatting-with-the-creators-of-next-to-normal.

The musical runs until January 18. For tickets, call 202-488-3300 or visit www.arenastage.org.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photos courtesy of Arena Stage