Next to Normal

Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as “one of the year’s ten best shows” by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times.

Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling bipolar disorder for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart.

This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life and is ideal for community theatres, as well as colleges and regional theatre companies.

Starring Elisa Van Duyne, Andrew Ritter, Caitlin Sausville, Jonathan Mount, Michael Koutelos, and Philip Caycedo. Directed by Doug Anderson

The orchestra, lead by Musical Director Ronnie Romano is comprised entirely of Middlebury College students. Ronnie Romano ’20 (Music Director/Conductor, Keyboards) is a pianist and conductor based in Vermont and NYC. He is Music Director for the Middlebury College Community Chorus, Champlain Valley UU Society, and Wellspring Hospice Singers. This is his 8th show at THT. He is thrilled that his trusty group of orchestra players will be by his side for this production! Joining him in the pit are Xander Bowles ’26 (Guitar), Hans Kindstedt ’24 (Bass), Jonathan March ’23.5 (Percussion/Drum Kit), Marco Motroni ’25 (Violin), Chelsea Robinson ’26 (Cello).

Tickets are $27 for Adults and $17 for Students. A Generous Ticket is $37 and proceeds help continue the tradition of Town Hall Theater’s January Musical.

This production includes strong language. There are depictions of various mental health conditions and disorders referred to in the script as ‘bipolar disorder with delusional episodes’, anxiety and complicated grief after a child bereavement. Not suitable for children.