Music by Tom Kitt
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Directed by Thomas James O’Leary
I suppose they might seem like odd subjects for a musical…bipolar disorder, grief, drug abuse, the perils of modern psychiatry and a family falling apart.
I suppose too that a rock music score might seem even odder still, and yet, it works.
In fact, the mix of bold and chilling reality with a rock score and powerful heart-wrenching vocals seems a perfect fit, especially when you take into account how twisted the subjects of most classical operas are.
"Next to Normal," the multiple Tony award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical comes to the Pico Playhouse by way of the very aptly named Triage Productions and Standing Room Only Productions, and their interpretation is nothing but short of brilliant.
Christened by the New York Times as the “Feel everything musical,” "Next to Normal" has quickly become a modern classic and with good reason.
It’s also an incredibly difficult and complex show to pull off, full of pain and trauma and heartbreak. Those brave enough to take it on must be actors of great depth, with voices that can truly do justice to the soaring, expansive songs.
This production gives us all of this and more. Everyone on stage is just sensational. I found myself weeping through most of it in fact, so touching and compelling were the performances.
If you are not familiar with the story let me just tell you this…
A mother’s bipolar disease becomes unmanageable for her husband, she reluctantly undergoes radical treatment and yet she still remains as effected as ever. To tell you any more would spoil the story I think, and since this was my first encounter with it myself, I’m pretty sure I would have had a different reaction if I had know more. Suffice it to say, it deeply touched me on many levels, every character on stage transforms in their own way and since they are so very close to being us, the audience, I think those changes dig all the more deep into our soul than would some much more abstract story set in some far distant land.
Next to Normal is about us, it addresses fears and experiences that we can relate to in such a deeply profound way that one cannot come through it unscathed.
But, and this is strange, for all of the somber nature of the story it’s a far from depressing piece. In fact I felt rather uplifted in the end. In the same way one might feel a sense of peace and release after any life affirming experience, particularly one experienced as a group.
This show, about this particular dysfunctional family desperately trying to hold it all together, is incredibly cathartic and endearing and utterly, utterly real…and therein lies its strength.
It reminds us that our flaws, however great they may be, are nothing new, they are just flaws. And for something to be flawed it must first be perfect. We all are perfect in our own way, our flaws become our proof of that.
The Pico Playhouse is a really lovely space and the ingenious set design and staging of the show fits well within its walls. Every attention was made to ensure the fluidity of the show. The manipulation of props and set, all being maneuvered by the actors themselves, while still in character of course, simply changing their environment to suite their needs, fed so much into the story and into those characters. It was quite breathtaking.
And that best sums up the show for me I think - breathtaking.
The actors' performances were so good it seems unnecessary to single anyone out, although I do have to mention Isa Briones who plays the daughter Natalie. She is astonishing and when you consider she is still in high school, that's quite something.
But truly everyone was brilliant, funny, compelling and sang like rockstars. They all of them made me hold my breath on more than one occasion.
Run, don’t walk to The Pico Playhouse very, very soon to see this wonderful production of the marvelous and brave "Next to Normal." I’m sure the excellent director, Thomas James O’Leary and his fantastic team will be as thrilled to see you as I was to see their wonderful work.
The show has a fairly short run: August 19th to September 25th, so don’t dawdle.
The Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
http://n2nmusicalla.brownpapertickets.com
Cast
Natalie - Isa Briones
Diane - Michelle Lane
Gabe - Harrison Meloeny
Dr Fine/Madden - Randal Miles
Henry - Blaine Miller
Musicians
Conductor - Taylor Stephenson
Drums & Percussion - Jorge Zuniga
Violin - Lois Good
Bass - Nic Gonzales
Guitar - Dominic White
Production Crew
Produced by Zachary Lutsky, Rory Patterson, Selah Victor
Musical Direction by Taylor Stephenson
Directed by Thomas James O’Leary
Scenic Design by Jeff Cason
Costume Design by Vicki Conrad
Stage Manager - Shawna Voragen
Ass Stage Manager - Josie Austin
Lighting Design by Matt Richter, Adam Earle, Andrew Schmedake
Sound Design by Fritz Davis
Property Design by Lori Berg
PHOTO CREDIT: John Dlugolecki
8579: MICHELLE LANE, NICK SARANDO, BLAINE MILLER, ISA BRIONES
8590: MICHELLE LANE
8786: HARRISON MELOENY, MICHELLE LANE
9201: ISA BRIONES, RANDAL MILES, MICHELLE LANE
9670: MICHELLE LANE, HARRISON MELOENY, NICK SARANDO, ISA BRIONES, BLAINE MILLER, RANDAL MILES
9687: NICK SARANDO, ISA BRIONES