Judy McLane as Diana in Pioneer Theatre Company's "Next to Normal". Photo by Alexander Weisman.
Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to see the original Broadway cast performance of Next to Normal, and it absolutely floored me. I had never been so moved by a show. The music electrified me. I sobbed through the entire second half. The instant the curtain fell, I leapt to my feet. It was the kind of performance I knew I would never forget.
And I knew that, after seeing it in New York, there was very little hope that Next to Normal at Pioneer Theatre Company would have a chance of living up to my expectations. My first experience with the show had been too tremendous, too moving to ever be duplicated. As I sat out in the house, waiting for the show to start, I prepared myself for disappointment. I was certain that the show I was about to see would in no way be comparable to that night at the Booth Theatre in New York. A show like this, so fresh off Broadway and that covers such difficult subject matter, would be difficult to pull off.
How wrong I was.
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.
In a nutshell, Next to Normal is the story of a suburban mother, Diana, suffering with bipolar disorder and depression and the effect this has on her family. I don’t dare say more because part of the excitement of the show comes from not knowing what’s happening next. With a rock score composed by Tom Kitt with lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal won a well deserved Pulitzer Prize not only for its honest portrayal of mental illness, but also its tender examination of the difficulties faced by the loved ones of those who suffer. The New York Times aptly called the show a “feel everything musical;” you leave feeling emotionally drained, but electrified.
The cast of Next to Normal at Pioneer is outstanding. Each one packs a powerful punch both as vocalists and actors. As Diana, Judy Mc Lane is absolutely stunning. Her voice is crystal clear and strong, and she captures the crazed ups and downs of depression without turning it into a caricature or stereotype. Her performance is emotional, honest, and heartbreaking. Jonathan Rayson as her husband Dan matches her wildness with his calm sincerity. Together, they make a formidable couple. Ephie Aardema as their daughter, Natalie, may be the only weak link in the cast. Though her voice is exquisite, she tended to over act her spoken lines. Her counterpart, boyfriend Henry played by Alex Brightman, delivers a sweet and sincere portrayal that highlights the similarities between their relationship and that of Dianna and Dan. The other two cast members, Ben Crawford as the doctors and Matt Dengler as Gabe, similarly deliver strong performances. However, it is the company’s strength as an ensemble that lights up the show. Their chemistry and energy is truly the highlight of the performance.
L-R: Matt Dengler as Gabe, Ephie Aardema as Natalie, Jonathan Rayson as Dan, Judy McLane as Diana in Pioneer Theatre Company's "Next to Normal". Photo by Alexander Weisman
The show’s director, Karen Azenberg tells a fluid story through her inventive staging that remains true to the original Broadway production but still deviates enough to live as its own unique piece. Her blocking, in tandem with George Maxwell’s set design which can only be described as perfection, creates a beautiful picture for each scene, and creates a variety of locations with no set changes. Never did the blocking feel cumbersome or unnatural; each scene was fluid and beautiful. My only complaint about the night would be the costumes; while there certainly were a lot of them, many were ugly enough that they distracted from the scene. Less bulky, garish outfits on the women and looser shirts on the men would have been welcome.
In all, Pioneer Theatre Company’s production of Next to Normal is nothing short of exquisite. With its moving rock score, a powerhouse ensemble, and brilliant staging, it is that rare kind of show that makes you remember why you started coming to the theatre in the first place, and why you keep coming back; in the hopes that you will see something like this, a show that will reach inside your soul and make you feel.
Next to Normal plays Monday through Saturday, now through October 1st, M-Th 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8 with a matinee on Saturday at 2 at Pioneer Memorial Theatre.
