Alliance Theatre Stages NEXT TO NORMAL, Now thru Nov 11

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.

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."

"As a producer of innovative American musicals, it was important for The Alliance to stage Next to Normal, one of the rare musicals to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Drama," said Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. Booth last worked with composer Tom Kitt in January 2011, when the ALLIANCE THEATRE gave the world premiere of Bring It On: The Musical, which opened on Broadway August 1, 2012.

The ALLIANCE THEATRE's production of Next to Normal will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Broadway - Golda's Balcony, Jane Eyre). Schwartz has a long history of directing new musicals including the Off-Broadway hits tick, tick…BOOM! and Bat Boy: The Musical; as well as the recent world premiere of the new musical A Room With A View at The Old Globe. On directing Next to Normal, Schwartz said, "Next to Normal has the thrilling pop-rock score that you expect from a contemporary musical, but it also has the depth and complexity of a play. At its core, it's a powerful family drama, and I'm most excited to explore that."

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.

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