Photo Flash: Broadway By the Bay presents NEXT TO NORMAL

Broadway By the Bay continues its 2017 Season with NEXT TO NORMAL, running August 11 - 27, 2017 at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City (2215 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA).

NEXT TO NORMAL is a thrilling contemporary musical that follows the journey of the Goodman family. On the surface, suburban parents Dan and Diana, and their children Natalie and Gabe, seem to be a "perfecT Loving family". Beneath the surface we see just how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. NEXT TO NORMAL addresses many issues including mental illness, ethics in modern psychiatry, grief and loss, drug abuse, and the power of love - both old and new. With provocative lyrics and book by Brian Yorkey and an electrifying score by Tom Kitt, NEXT TO NORMAL is a brave and breathtaking piece that the New York Times calls "... a feel-everything musical."

At the helm of this production is Jasen Jeffrey, who has directed numerous shows at Broadway By the Bay including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Producers and In the Heights. "I have had a deep connection to this show for quite some time." says Jeffrey. "The book is so well crafted and smart that it allows the audience to comfortably navigate the subject of mental illness, something that is rarely done in a musical. There are moments of humor, honest love and emotion, fear and frustration - all things that we as human beings deal with on a daily basis. NEXT TO NORMAL allows us all to truly feel, and heal, through the emotional tide that is created thanks to this heart-pounding score."

Executive Artistic Director Alicia Jeffrey doubles as Music Director on this production. "This score has been one of my very favorites for years, but in this role I feel like I am discovering it for the first time, every day. It's a dream to do this." Jeffrey continues, "I have music directed numerous projects, but never here at home at BBBay. I began at BBBay years ago as a musician so this is a fun full-circle moment for me."

NEXT TO NORMAL marks the first time this husband and wife team have worked together in this capacity. "Jasen and I have collaborated many times as producer/director, but never creatively like this. To do it on this show is a thrill." says Alicia. Jasen continues, "We're a family, doing an intensely emotional show about the strength of family. We're so in-sync, this feels easy and completely, well, normal."

Alicia continues "NEXT TO NORMAL will be a new experience for our audiences. It brings into the light subject matter that in many circles is taboo. Having an opportunity to open the conversation about mental illness and its impact on families is a responsibility we don't take lightly. This production is a beautiful example of how the medium of musical theatre can be transformative, therapeutic and educational. I'm very proud to have it in our season."

NEXT TO NORMAL Performance Schedule at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City:

NEXT TO NORMAL features Mackenzie Cala (Natalie) Joseph Hudelson (Dan), Caitlin McGinty (Diana), Sean Okuniewicz (Gabe), Joey Pisacane (Henry), and Brendan Quirk (Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden). Cala, McGinty, and Pisacane are making their BBBay debuts. Okuniewicz was previously seen in Kiss Me Kate, Quirk in West Side Story, and Hudelson in Les Misérables, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, and Beauty & the Beast.

The creative and production team includes Jasen Jeffrey (Director), Alicia Jeffrey (Musical Director), Brendon North (Associate Director), Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer), Michael Oesch (Lighting Designer), Eric Daniel Johnson (Properties Master), Leandra Watson (Costume Designer), Alexis Lazear (Hair and Makeup Designer), Jon Hayward (Sound Designer & Technical Advisor), Eric Johnson (Technical Advisor), Alex F. Wolf (Stage Manager), and Alicia Jeffrey (Production Manager). Resident Music Director Sean Kana is serving as Vocal Consultant, as he is currently the Associate Music Director for Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of Ain't Too Proud.

Tickets range from $44 to $66, and may be purchased by phone at 650-FOX-7770, online at broadwaybythebay.org, or in person at the Fox Theatre Box Office located at 2219 Broadway Street in downtown Redwood City. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10AM-1:30PM, 3:00PM-6:00PM. On performance days, the box office is open 60 minutes prior to the start of each show, and remains open for 30 minutes following the start of the performance.

To post a comment, you must register and login.