Theater Review: 'Next to Normal' at Westport Country Playhouse

Westport - Westport Country Playhouse’s 92nd season has opened with an impressive production of “Next to Normal,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning Pop/Rock Musical. Performances run on this Westport stage through April 24.

Distinguishing the season opener is a notably diverse casting led by Equity member Dar. Lee. See. Ah. (who last appeared on Broadway as Erzulie in the Tony Award®-winning revival of “Once on This Island,”) as the wife and mother Diana, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia, a Tony Award® winner for his portrayal of Angel in “Rent.”

“Next to Normal” is both directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico and led the Playhouse production of “In the Heights” in 2019.

This is the story of a mother who grapples with worsening bipolar disorder, but it also explores the effects that attempting to manage her mental illness have had on her family. The musical that expanded the subject matter for the Broadway musical addresses drug abuse, grief depression, suicide and the ethics of the treatment of mental illness.

While a musical dealing with mental health might sound depressing for the audience, there is plenty of humor to soften the edges and a strong musical score that drives the plotline. While Diana’s severe illness is clearly the centerpiece of the story, the struggles of the family who try to support her are just as heart wrenching.

In choosing to open the season with “Next to Normal,” the director/choreographer thought that it would be exciting to explore how issues presented in this musical challenge communities of color as much as they do white families. He noted that “you just don’t hear about it as much.” Born and raised in a community that “treated psychological health like a taboo,” Santana set out to cast Latinx and Black actors in order to deepen the circumstances of the story. A handful of lines have been translated into Spanish, adding authenticity.

The six-piece live orchestra is one of the best parts of the performance, making the most of the memorable pop/rock score by Tom Kitt, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Playwright Yorkey partnered again with the “Next to Normal” team for the musical “If/Then.”

Heredia (picture above) beautifully portrays Dan, Diana’s husband. Strong vocals combine with perfect acting that shows a man who has supported his wife during her sixteen-year mental illness, while shouldering most of the parenting responsibilities for his daughter Natalie. Heredia appeared in the 2005 film of “Rent” and recently appeared in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick…Boom!” for Netflix.

Daniel J. Maldonado is an energy-filled Gabe when he performs “I’m Alive” in his Playhouse debut. Equity actress Ashley LaLonde, a recent graduate of Harvard University, brings Natalie to life with all of her scars, and Gian Perez, an actor and musician from Puerto Rico, brings out the romance in Henry, Natalie's classmate.

Katie Thompson (Broadway’s “Oklahoma” as Aunt Eller) is an intriguing choice for the role of Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. It is a bit hard to view her as the “scary rock star” through Diana’s eyes, and maybe that was the point, but the actress convincingly portrays her caring psychiatrist. Nicole Eastwood assisted as the behavioral health consultant.

Scenic design by Adam Kochscenic is multi-level, with two staircases, and transforms well into the needed spaces. The set and the placement of the singers helped me to notice some musical dualities that I had not appreciated in previous productions. The lighting designer Cory Pattak, using lights at the back of the stage that rise and lower, visually enhances the set and the action. The contemporary costumes designed by Jennifer Caprio flatter the characters. The sound design by Domonic Sack works well, although there were a few elements that bordered on screetchy.

Kudos to Emily Croome, music director, on all of the excellent musical elements.

The show is appropriate for ages 14 and up; running time is approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission. Performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. (No Sun. performance on Easter, April 17). All audience members must present proof of vaccination and wear a mask at all times while inside Westport Country Playhouse. Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S., requires that actors perform only at theaters where audiences wear masks.

For tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529. The Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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