Next to Normal: A Musical Play about a Middle-Class Family
Next to Normal is a musical play about a middle-class family and centres around mother, Diana who is suffering from bipolar disorder. It also depicts how her family consisting of her husband, daughter, and son are affected by her illness. Son, Gabriel whom we come to know about later in the show, died when he was 8 months old.
The Progression of the Story
Initially when the play starts it seems like a normal happy family but gradually we come to know that the main character, the mother is suffering from mental illness and that the son is no more and only there in her mind and thoughts, haunting her all the time. When Diana’s husband, Dan realizes that she is not happy and not recovering even after being on medication for several years, he convinces his wife to go for a treatment called ECT. ECT is prescribed by one of the psychiatrists, Dr Madden whom his wife calls Rockstar in the beginning of treatment. Later, towards the end, one infers that Gabriel has gone on to inhibit the mind of Dan also, to some extent. Finally, after she is not able take out the memories of her son out of her mind and sees no improvement after treatment, she decides to leave her husband and daughter, Natalie and go away although her husband still loves her a lot.
The Production
Live elements of production make it interesting for the audience as acting of all actors is very persuasive and natural. Extreme emotions are depicted in their right intensity with funny moments strewn in. The music is at times loud which makes it difficult to hear what they are saying but rendering of songs in opera like style is commendable.
The Cast
Jessica Phillips in the role of Diana has done a great job, as portraying the role of someone who is suffering from depression can be challenging to play, while at the same time not casting a gloom on the audience. It is a very vibrant performance and her high life condition does not let the audience guess in the beginning that the character is suffering from such an illness. Her beautiful rendering of “I Miss the Mountains…” is very captivating. She also adds an element of restrained sexuality to the character displaying another facet of its personality.
Kyle Dean Massey as Gabriel has done full justice to the role. A ghostly presence on a tier of the set depicting a long dead son, who would now be in his late teens creates a phenomenal impact on the minds of the audience. His powerful performance with his near strangling possession over his mother frightens us at times which is reinforced in his rendering of “I am Alive….”
Robert Spencer in the role of Dan and Jennifer Damiano as Natalie have also given amazing performances. Spencer’s role is substantially less as compared to the role of Jessica and Kyle. He comes across as caring and loving husband who is also suffering a lot due to his wife’s illness. This is reinforced by the song “I am the one…” whereas Jennifer as Natalie must deal with such serious issues in her teens and has lot of angst against her mother as she feels she did not get normal life and next to normal is what she can ask for.
Henry’s role portrayed by Adam Chanler-Berat is brave, supporting and daring to be with Natalie as she goes through her psychological ups and downs due to her mother’s illness. He does not have any powerful sequence in the musical but does the role befittingly.
Set Design
Design of the set is spread out and 3 tiered so that multiple scenes can be depicted simultaneously, also as Gabe represents a voice in Diana’s head, it can be depicted from a different tier than the one where the play is being performed. Lattice structure at the back of the set with lights, reduces the need for extra lighting but at the same time does not hurt the eye.
Conclusion
Overall performance is excellent be it acting, singing or choreography and would recommend it as definitely worth watching.
