Photo Flash: First Look at Bob Gaynor, Cary Tedder and More in Rehearsals for Alliance Theatre's NEXT TO NORMAL

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed ALLIANCE THEATRE will stage the multi-award-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal-the production's first run for Atlanta audiences. Next to Normal is the gripping story of a suburban family coping with the affects of mental illness.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the rehearsal photos below.

With a pop/rock musical score including more than 30 original songs, Next to Normal was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning three for Best Original Score (Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey), Best Orchestration (Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt), and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley). It also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, making it only the eighth musical to receive the honor. The awarding Pulitzer Board called Next to Normal "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness…and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."

The ALLIANCE THEATRE's production of Next to Normal will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Broadway - Golda's Balcony, Jane Eyre).

The Next to Normal cast includes a mix of New York and Atlanta based actors. Catherine Porter will play Diana, a suburban mom struggling with depression and bipolar disorder. Porter has been the stand-in for the role of Diana in the Broadway production of Next to Normal since 2010. She has also played leading roles in West End productions of Sunset Boulevard and Only the Lonely. Bob Gaynor (Broadway - Leap of Faith, Catch Me If You Can, Aida) will play Diana's husband Dan. Cary Tedder (Broadway – Memphis, The Times They Are A-Changin') will play Diana and Dan's son Gabe. The Atlanta cast members include Lyndsay Ricketson making her ALLIANCE THEATRE debut playing Diana and Dan's daughter Natalie, and Jordan Craig playing Natalie's boyfriend Henry. Craig last appeared at the ALLIANCE THEATRE as the Tin Man in the 2011/12 production of The Wizard of Oz. Googie Uterhardt will play Diana's doctor, Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, October 5-28, 2012 on the Hertz Stage.

Tickets start at $25 and are available at The Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets are also available online at alliancetheatre.org/normal. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students. The ALLIANCE THEATRE is located at The Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, at the corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.

Photo Credit: John Maley