Review: NEXT TO NORMAL At The Studio Theatre

The Studio Theatre, 320 W. 7th St., in Little Rock, created magic with their presentation of NEXT TO NORMAL Saturday, Feb. 18. I was warned going in that it was going to be emotional, but....dang, y'all! I was invested from the beginning to the end and loved every minute of it. The details in the artistry of this production blew me away!

With music by Tom Kitt and Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey, the story starts out normal enough. They appear to be a typical family-father Dan (Nick Farr), mother Diana (Janette Robinson), sister Natalie (Destaney Duguid), and brother Gabe (Tylen Loring), but quickly it shows that things aren't exactly normal. Diana has been battling with manic depression and bipolar disorder that was triggered by a tragic event 16 years ago, and it seems that the symptoms are getting worse. Her doctor (Alycya Thomas) prescribes her different psychological drugs that have some pretty serious adverse effects. They are so bad that she decides to not take them, but then attempts suicide. From there they decide that shock treatment is the best cure. Meanwhile, Natalie has found boyfriend Henry (Willie Johnson), who gives her moral support and pot. This doesn't seem to be good enough, and she starts taking her mother's drugs. The story plays out, the marriage is strained, there is big reveal about Gabe, and in the end, they are just striving to be NEXT TO NORMAL.

This cast!!!! Wow! Where do I begin? I'll start with the obvious. The Studio Theatre embraced Black History Month, creating two all black casts for this show. Because I am not black, I can't speak for myself, but the gentleman next to me who said he has seen this show twice before at other theatres, said this show hit different because of the cast. It meant more to him, resonated more. I believe him-I feel that. This was my first time seeing NEXT TO NORMAL, and, frankly, this is the way I want to remember the show. They performed so well, I can't and don't want to imagine it any other way.

Now...on to the storytelling....Director Taijee told a phenomenal story. With my brief understanding about the show going in, I knew it was about mental health, so I assumed this mother was, more or less, crazy due to genetics. As the musical unfolded, I found out that there was something more. Once we learned that Gabe was not actually there, we were led to believe that Diana just didn't want to give him up. Closer to the end, you find out that dad can hear him, too. Yo! This family didn't need electroshock-they needed an exorcist, and by this time, I was so enthralled in the story, I said that out loud... hahahaha sorry! I am not the only person impressed with the storytelling. Pulaski Academy Director Sheridan Posey agreed, saying, "The story was so well told by the director and actors, resulting in a beautiful and heartbreaking experience in the audience." Absolutely!

These actors did such an amazing job, I wish I could have seen the other cast as well. Here is my assessment on the Purple Cast. OMG-Wow! Do you need more? Ok. So, Thomas cracked me up as the crazy rockstar doctor. She transitioned from serious to seriously crazy with ease. Johnson was so sweet as Henry...bless him. He wanted to help his leading lady as best as he could. Duguid really embraced the angsty teenager role. It was fun to watch her transformation from invisible girl to glamour, wild child. Loring took the angst to the next level. Once you found out Gabe's true nature, it all made sense. He was intense and believable, and I loved the dynamic that he played with the rest of the cast. Farr's passion was powerful. Every feeling he emitted, the audience felt it, too.

I have so many thoughts on Janette Robinson, she gets her own paragraph. This actress really embodied Diana. I mean....the details she put into her characterization was impressive. She had facial tics, lost looks in her eyes, random movement with her hands, and moments of lucidity and then back to confusion states of being. The struggle for her sanity was very real. Robinson embodied Diana so completely, that I was afraid she was lost to her. My heart couldn't take it! Her breathtaking performance will remain with me for a very long time.

Musically, I will assume that this was a dream cast for Music Director Christian Waldron. The singing, alone, was worth the ticket price. Their vocals were unrivaled. With them all being such strong singers, the power in their delivery had us all in our feels! Their harmony was perfect, and the way they worked together put an already fervid story over the top. I loved it so much!

As always, I loved my cocktail of the evening created by Bartender James Linker. They are always so tasty!

Broadway World would like to say a big 'thank you' to Matthew Sewell Photography for the use of these wonderful pictures. If you are looking for the perfect headshot or family photos, check out his website at https://www.msewellphotography.com.

Next up for The Studio Theatre is DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO JR. For more information, visit their website at https://www.studiotheatrelr.com.

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