“Next To Normal ”
Nothing Like Ordinary
By Skip Sheffield
Slow Burn Theatre’s “Next To Normal” is an extraordinary
production of an extraordinarily dramatic musical show. You can find out how
extraordinary weekends through Nov. 2 at West Boca High School Performing Arts
Theatre.
It takes a lot of nerve to take on the challenge of a
Pulitzer Prize-winning modern musical about mental illness. In its fifth season Slow Burn has
plenty of nerve, courage, chutzpa- call it what you will. Without first-rate,
heartfelt performances backed by precision live musical accompaniment, enhanced
by dynamic lighting (Lance Blank), appropriate suburban costumes (Rick Pena) and
a serviceable, evocative set (Sean McClelland), “Next To Normal’ could easily
be a train wreck. This train stays on the track and arrives on time after two
and a half hours of sometimes gut-wrenching emotion, often leavened by dark,
sardonic humor.
Patrick Fitzwater is the engineer or director of this
hot-burning train and Manny Schwartzman is the musical director, or in old
railway terms, the fireman.
The combustible fuel is a cast of six wildly talented singer-actors
of various ages, sizes and attitude.
Brian Yorkey’s book is a parable about the incomprehensible
sorrow of bi-polar disorders and the detrimental effects on all who try to
comprehend and coexist. The story is propelled by Tom Kitt’s musical score in a
variety of styles, from rock to schmaltz and waltz, wistful ballads and
stand-up-and-be counted anthems.
Diana (Sharyn Peoples) is a forty-something mom who was diagnosed
with a bipolar disorder 16 years ago; not too long after giving birth to a daughter
Natalie (Anne Chamberlain), now 16 and quite resentful.
Slow Burn co-artistic director Matthew Korinko is Diana’s
infinitely patient, frustrated husband, Dan Goodman. Jason Edelstein is Henry,
a 17-year-old who has a serious crush on Natalie.
The song “Just Another Day” is the setup for another chaotic
day in the profoundly dysfunctional Goodman household. It’s 3:30 a.m. and mom
is up, sleepless. A son sneaks in late and is scolded. Natalie is up at 5:30
getting ready for school. Dad is getting ready for another day at work, which
is often interrupted. The chorus is completed by a young man with an angel’s voice
who we learn later is the son named Gabe (Bruno Vida).
In the course of the first act we will see mom undergo
various treatments with her doctors (both played by Clay Cartland). Strange as
it may seen, delusions can be funny when mom imagines her shrink is a rock
star.
That’s probably enough plot for now. Anyone who has been
touched by bipolar disorders will be familiar with all the painful outcomes, including
the most drastic.
All of this high drama is sung beautifully in duets, trios,
quartets and sextexts in razor-sharp harmonies. This is not Rodgers &
Hammerstein and “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” It is music that makes you think
about what may be unthinkable. If you can take it, you will be rewarded. You
may even see the light.
Tickets are $40 adults, $35 senior citizens and $25
students. Call 866-811-4111 or go to www.slowburntheatre.org.
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