Marblehead Little Theatre Presents Next to Normal

Tickets are now on sale for Marblehead Little Theatre’s upcoming production of Next To Normal, running May 10-19th.  The production is produced by Christine Dhionis and Lara Finn, directed by Steve Black, with musical direction by Lianne Goodwin.  The cast includes Becky Ruccio as Diana, Matthew Ford as Dan, Allen Yannone as Gabe, Amy Strong as Nathalie, Alex Grover as Henry, and Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine.  On 5/10 and 5/11 the role of Gabe will be performed by Jared Walsh. 

Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

Next to Normal is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three: Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley). It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to receive the honor.  In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."

Performance are May 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18th at 7:30PM and May 12 &19th at 2PM.  Ticket prices are $23, $15 for students (matinees only).  Tickets are available at the Spirit of 76 Bookstore and online at www.mltlive.org.