“Next to Normal” Bold Series

***** Over the years, I have been lucky to see several productions of  “Next to Normal” a chamber musical with music by Tom Kitt and the book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The Broadway In Chicago production was huge, massive, and somehow, the “chamber” feeling was lost. The production at Writers Theatre in Glencoe was mind-boggling and gave the story a much more real feeling. In fact, I had thought that that production was never to be topped.

When I saw that Paramount Theatre’s Copley was presenting this play in their Bold Series, under the direction of Jim Corti, I knew that I would see what this man could do that would change my mind. He did just that!

This is a story about a family and its problems. I will be careful not to give away much of the plot as while it is a musical, it is not a “musical comedy”, but rather, a play with music that helps to convey a story filled with messages of great importance. While almost every family tries, to the best of their abilities, to attain perfection, in reality, we know that this is not always possible ( if ever). Things happen that change our lives, our demeanor and often our relationships. Is your family “normal? Then again, what is normal? In this  2 hours and 25 minute two-act play ( there is a 20-minute intermission) we explore what happens to a family and how drugs and therapies can alter our lives.

Every family has its own ups and downs. Some people learn to live with these feelings and others, in order to avoid doing so, lock things up and kind of throw the key away, keeping their minds free of that memory. “Next to Normal” is a play that doesn’t hold back on emotion and after the first act, as drained as you are, be prepared, because you will need additional tissues for the second act- guaranteed.

Corti has found an ideal cast of players to bring the characters to life. The mother, Diana is played to perfection by Donna Louden ( a newcomer to Chicago theater and a name to remember, She is terrific in every way. Her husband is played by Barry DeBois , a solid actor with a great vocal range. One of the songs that he does , “I Am The One” will give you goosebumps and in Act Two, the  reprise, brings a tear to your eye.

Their daughter, Natalie is handled by Angel Alzeidan ( another newcomer to the Paramount family), and her beau , Henry, is played by Jake DiMaggio Lopez. The doctors that treat Diana are played by Devin DeSantis who will wow you with his Dr. Fine character and last but not least, another Jake in this production, Jake Ziman plays Gabe. It is hard to discuss Gabe without giving away a portion of what makes this play so special. Just know that he is a key factor and when he sings “I’m Alive”, you will tear up, even if you are not an emotional person.

Corti and his Associate Director, Creg Sclavi have truly taken the small stage at The Copley and made it work for this show. There are no actual sets, just platforms, steps and a few pieces of furniture. The clever design of the set (Michelle Lilly) allows our focus to be on the action with no frills, just a solid production. Yvonne Miranda’s costumes work well and allow for the quick changes as needed and the props (Aimee Plant) are sheer perfection. The sound (Eric Backus) and lighting (Cat Wilson) are perfect and the electronic music design by Ethan Deppe adds a great touch to the music as directed by Kory Danielson and conducted by Celia Villacres. The choreography was done by Lexie Bailey.

If you have seen this play before, I think you will want to see this rendition. If you have never seen “Next to Normal”, and want to see one of the best productions, ever, I suggest you get to it right away as you only have a month. Go into the theater with an open mind about family perfection and the problems that life deals us.

 “Next to Normal” will continue Thru – Sep 3, with performances as follows: