The musical provides raw and emotion filled opportunities for ensembles to sing not so much together as at the same time. And although there were a few numbers where the actors seemed to have trouble with pitch and/or key, this cast nails those singing at the same time moments. The effect is that of a sometimes discordant, but still oh so rich stew of competing needs and conflicting emotions. Continue reading
Admittedly, I was thrilled when I found out that Midvale Main Street Theater had made the brave choice to produce this show. Next to Normal is one of my all time favorites. I have seen several productions from SLC to NYC. However, I was also worried because this is a Pulitzer Prize winning piece of a theatrical genius (in my opinion). I didn’t expect perfection but I hoped that it would be treated with the respect that it deserved. Continue reading
Next to Normal at Pioneer Theatre was a stunning production that captured the raw, emotional depth of this extremely difficult musical with ease. The show was stacked with a powerhouse cast who gracefully navigated the ups and downs of the score to create an electrifying performance that left the theatre ringing. Continue reading
