Reviewed by Judy Richter
Mental illness hardly seems like
a topic for musical theater, but it is in "Next to Normal," and it's quite affecting
in the San Jose Repertory Theatre production co-produced by the Arizona Theatre Company.
Although
mental illness may afflict only one member of a family, it affects everyone
else in the family. That's the situation with Diana (Kendra Kassebaum), who has been dealing with
bipolar disorder for some 16 years. Her loving, loyal husband, Dan (Joe
Cassidy), has
tried to help her in every way he can, taking her to doctor after doctor in
hopes of at least stabilizing her. Their teenage daughter, Natalie (Andrea
Ross), tries to
get more than just cursory attention from her parents by being a perfectionist
at school and in her classical piano-playing. Consequently, she's stressed out.
The
family's fourth member is son Gabe (Jonathan Shew), a constant presence in Diana's
life and the likely catalyst for her illness.
In
a stinging rebuke at some in the psychiatric profession, Dr. Fine (Mark
Farrell), treats
her with an array of drugs, all with unpleasant side effects and no
psychological relief. She next sees Dr. Madden (Farrell again), who tries more
conservative approaches like talk therapy and hypnotism before resorting to a
more drastic series of electroconvulsive therapy sessions.
In
the meantime, Natalie acquires a boyfriend, Henry (A.J. Holmes), a genial stoner whose efforts
to help her relax backfire as she raids her mother's medicine cabinet.
Ironically, Henry becomes a stable presence in her life. Their relationship is
a kind of parallel to that between her parents. In their case, however, Dan's
unwavering love and support might keep Diana from becoming more independent.
The
conclusion is surprising and somewhat encouraging even though a happy ending is
far from certain.
The
book by Brian Yorkey, who also wrote the lyrics, is so strong that it could almost stand on
its own. No doubt it played a major role in the show's winning the 2010
Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It also won three Tony Awards. Tom Kitt's rock-flavored music is
pleasant, serving mainly to allow the characters to express their emotions.
The
two-level set by John Ezell depicts the family's home, but a few quick changes of
furniture transform it into places like the doctors' offices. Above it, what
would be the sky appears to be cracked glass, indicating that all is not well
beneath the roof. The six-person band, led by musical director Dolores
Duran-Cefalu at
the piano, sits upstage behind a scrim. The costumes are by Kish Finnegan, while the lighting and
projections are by David Lee Cuthbert. The sound (too loud) is by Steve Schoenbeck.
Director
David Ira Goldstein, who also did the musical staging, keeps the action flowing smoothly
and logically in this two-act work. He also has an excellent cast of
singer-actors. The only caveat is that Kassebaum's diction makes Diana's lyrics
hard to understand at times. Otherwise, she skillfully projects Diana's
vulnerability, anxiety and unpredictability. The others also make their
characters believable and sympathetic.
"Next
to Normal" tackles a tough but important subject in an intelligent, adult
manner, making for memorable theater.