TheaterWorks, Hartford, CT
by Stuart W. Gamble
 |
| David Harris & Christiane Noll |
With music composed by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian
Yorkey, this durable show is worth every note and word of its 2010 Pulitzer
Prize. Christiane Noll (Tony nominee for “Ragtime”) is Diana, the at-first
seemingly perfect wife and mother as shown in the show’s opening song “Just
Another Day”. But soon its evident that all is not well with Diana who suffers
from bi-polar disorder. Her understanding but aloof husband Dan (David
Harris) tries unsuccessfully to
support Diana as voiced in the songs “It’s Gonna Be Good”, “Better than
Before”, and “Song of Forgetting”.
Diana and Dan’s only child Natalie’s (Maya Keleher) teenage
angst is compounded by her mother’s illness. However, her knight in shining
armor comes in the form of pot-smoking fellow musician Henry (Nick Sacks) and
their special bond is tenderly expressed in “ Perfect for You”. Diana’s
psycho-pharmacologists Drs. Fine/Madden (J.D. Daw) attempts to help Diana with
a variety of treatments. But the root of Diana’s depression and anxiety is
linked to the figure of Gabe (John Cardoza) who is not all he seems to be.
The score is magnificently sung by the entire cast and the
show’s well-known hits “I Miss the Mountains”, “I am the One”, “Superboy and
the Invisible Girl”, and especially Gabe’s rendition of “I’m Alive” are sublimely
memorable. Rob Ruggiero’s glossy direction keeps the action moving which
prevents the story from becoming maudlin. Adam Souza’s musical direction is
lively and powerful. Tricia Barsamian’s costumes are simple and modern, playing
second fiddle to John Lasiter’s stunning and bold lighting design. Wilson
Chin’s fussy, overly ornate set, however, resembles more of a Pottery Barn
showroom than a living room.
Despite its 2 ½ hour running time, “Next to Normal” will
leave you emotionally sapped and perhaps a bit dewy-eyed as well.
