'Next to Normal' by Two Planks Theater Company - My Review

Pictured: The cast of ‘Next to Normal’ (from left) Robert Thomas Halliwell, Chuck Stango, Juliette Garrison Koch, Maren Burling, Ryan Gaynor and John Capasso. Photo courtesy of Two Planks Theater Company

Two Planks Theater Company (TPTC) is named for the boards that fourteenth century troubadours would lay over their wagons to create the stages on which they brought their stories to life. David and Susan Halliwell founded the group decades ago and it has brought stories to life in various locations throughout southern CT. The United Methodist Church of Monroe hosts their inaugural 2014-2015 Main Stage season, a beautiful church in a residential neighborhood in Monroe where the company looks forward to holding many future performances.

For their first regular season of shows, they aimed high and chose ‘The Glass Menagerie’ and ‘Next to Normal,’ the Pulitzer-Prize winning rock musical, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Friday evening was opening night and the wonderful cast that director/producer Ms. Halliwell had assembled proved that they were up to the challenge.

This was the fourth time that I have attended a production of this show but parts of it continue to feel like they were new. Such is the power of this well-written drama and challenging score. Congratulations to everyone involved in this production in Monroe that brings “a light in the dark” and sheds a light on mental illness and the effects it has on families. If you missed the show in Brookfield, I highly recommend that you head to Monroe to experience the ultimately uplifting musical.

Click here to read my entire review on Onstage.

‘Next to Normal’ continues Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m. General admission with tickets at $20. Performances held at UMC Monroe, 515 Cutlers Farm Road in Monroe.