Two Muses Theatre's NEXT TO NORMAL Will Benefit Common Ground

Female-based performing arts company Two Muses Theatre has announced the production of the Broadway hit Next to Normalpremiering June 7 through June 30, 2013 at the Two Muses Theatre located within Barnes and Noble in West Bloomfield. Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is directed by Royal Oak resident, Frannie Shepherd-Bates.

Two Muses Theatre will donate $1 from each ticket purchase to Common Ground, a non-profit agency dedicated to helping youths, adults and families in crisis that has been helping those in need for more than 40 years. Common Ground serves more than 50,000 individuals per year, with a majority of the services being free.

Diane Hill of West Bloomfield and Barbie Amann Weisserman of Farmington Hills joined forces in 2011 to create Two Muses Theatre with a mission to provide opportunities for women in theatre and to promote female artists and artisans. The dynamic duo has produced eight wildly successful shows with rave reviews. Embarking on their second season, they are thrilled to produce their first musical.

Next to Normal, is a fast-paced musical that keeps audiences riveted from start to finish. It centers on what appears, at first glance, to be a typical American family with two parents and two bright, wise-cracking teens. Yet their lives are anything but normal, because the mother has been battling manic depression 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 through smart lyrics that get to the core of what each character is feeling. Though the show has moments of deep emotion, it's not a "downer" of an evening-there are flashes of humor, surprise elements and an uplifting and hopeful ending. It is recommended for mature audiences, teens and up.

In nearly 100 years, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama has only been won by eight musicals including Next to Normal. The Pulitzer jury stated that Next to Normal "expands the scope of subject matter for musicals." The last musical to win the honor was Jonathan Larson's Rent in 1996. Other musicals to earn the Pulitzer include Sunday in the Park With George, A Chorus Line, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Fiorello!, South Pacific and Of Thee I Sing.

Director Frannie Shepherd-Bates says, "This show deals with issues that, while they are not always easy to address, affect nearly everyone in some way. Mental illness and family dynamics are complex subjects, and I am looking forward to the challenges of working with a play that, in its beautiful music, provides a unique, honest perspective on a story that is sure to hit home for many audience members. It sure hit home for me."

"Next to Normal is an incredibly heart touching musical that brings enlightenment to an issue that is often kept in The Shadows," said Barbie Amann Weisserman. "The audience will feel included, uplifted, and clearer about all-encompassing issues with mental illness. It is a warm, careful look at a modern setting with a modern day family and powerful modern music."

Next to Normal runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm, June 7 through 30 at the Two Muses Theatre located in Barnes & Noble at 6800 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Advance tickets are $23 for adults and $18 for students and Senior Citizens. Tickets are $2 more when purchased at the door. Tickets are currently available by calling 248.850.9919 or by going to www.twomusestheatre.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.