![]() On keyboard, musical director Nathan Firmin leads six fellow musicians in a crisply detailed performance of the richly textured music. Hope also shines in heightened moments, such as Diana’s visions of her second doctor as a rock star and the ingenious effect of glowing lights beneath Diana’s gown during her ECT sessions. With lighting design by Jason Bovaird, the flexible space ably supports the cinematic flow of Yorkey’s book, with Taylor neatly staging simultaneous scenes and focusing audience attention in swift jump cuts.Ĭostume designer Jodi Hope complements the realism with an impressively extensive array of outfits for each character. ![]() The intricate design features an architectural blueprint of the home, brought into 3D by a crisp white light outline. Set designer Dann Barber solves Chapel off Chapel’s inherent sightline issues with a platform stage, just high enough for the cast to be easily seen over the heads of the front rows. Authentic connections are readily formed between performers and audience, significantly heightening the impact of the drama. Mark Taylor’s meticulous direction favours honest realism, with the sharp ensemble cast of six crafting believable, emotionally available characters. The family drama of Next to Normal can be viewed as a pre-cursor to Jagged Little Pill (2019), the striking difference being that ten years earlier there was no compulsion to include myriad aspects of diversity.Ĭonfidently staged, making exceptional use of the tight space at Chapel off Chapel, 2009 Broadway musical Next to Normal benefits immensely from the intimacy of the surroundings. In a quirk of programming, Next to Normal follows If/Then, creating an unintentional mini-festival of the work of composer Tom Kitt and lyricist and book writer Brian Yorkey. The inspiration for the determined persistence of James Terry Collective in bringing Next to Normal to a full season is clearly seen and felt in the blazing quality of the emotionally charged production. ![]() Another week of 2022 and another “third time lucky” show finally makes it to the stage.
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