Brian d'Arcy James Returns to NEXT TO NORMAL May 17

Tony Award nominee Brian D'Arcy James will return to the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal for a special limited engagement beginning Monday, May 17 at 8:00p.m. Mr. d'Arcy James originated the role of Dan Goodman in the Second Stage Theatre off-Broadway production of the acclaimed musical. J. Robert Spencer, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the role, will give his final performance on Sunday, May 16 at 7:30p.m.

Mr. d'Arcy James will be reunited with his original co-stars -- Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley, Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano, and Adam Chanler-Berat. The cast is rounded out by Kyle Dean Massey and Louis Hobson.

"It is so rare for a show to have a ‘full circle' moment like this -- and we are thrilled to welcome him home," stated the producer, David Stone.

Brian D'Arcy James' many Broadway credits include Time Stands Still, Shrek (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, Tony nomination), The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Sweet Smell of Success (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), Titanic, Carousel, Blood Brothers. Off-Broadway: Port Authority, Next to Normal, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Pavilion, Flight, The Good Thief (Keen Company; Obie Award, Drama Desk nomination, Outer Critics Circle nomination, L.A. Weekly Award), Pardon My English, The Wild Party (Drama Desk nomination), Public Enemy, Floyd Collins, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Film/TV: Ghost Town, Enchanted, "Cashmere Mafia," "Rescue Me," "Neurotica," "Exiled," "Sax and Violins." Solo debut album: From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn. BS: Northwestern University. www.briandjames.com

Due to a pre-existing conflict, Mr. d'Arcy James will not be in the production July 1 - 11.

With a thrilling contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.

Next to Normal has had a surprising and highly unlikely route to Broadway. The musical originally opened at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre on February 13, 2008. The producer, David Stone, who had been guiding the musical since 2005, took the unexpected step of bringing the show to Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage where it was significantly reworked, and then back to New York and to Broadway, where it opened to rave reviews on April 15, 2009. This unusual trajectory from a New York Off-Broadway premiere to an out-of-town regional theatre engagement and then back to New York is unprecedented.

The musical, which recently announced that it had recouped its entire original investment, celebrated its one year Anniversary on April 15th at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th street) and will also kick off a North American tour this fall in Los Angeles, beginning performances at the Ahmanson Theatre on November 23. Following the premiere, the tour has confirmed engagements in San Diego, Seattle, Hartford, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, St. Paul, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Washington, DC, and a dozen other cities to be announced in the near future.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards - Best Score, Best Actress in a Musical, and Best Orchestrations - Next to Normal features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by Michael Greif.

SCHEDULE AND PRICING

Next to Normal is performed at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th street) on the following schedule: Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm & 7:30pm. Tickets, priced $25.00 - $120.00, will be available at www.Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.

Photos by Joan Marcus

Brian D'Arcy James and Alice Ripley

Brian D'Arcy James

Jennifer Damiano and Brian d'Arcy James