Mental health is a topic many people shy away from but it is at the center of “Next to Normal.”
Beverly Arts Center’s Professional Theatre Series returns with this rock musical from March 18-20 at Baffes Theatre in Chicago.
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“It’s been one of my favorite shows for a while now and the story it tells is super important. It deserves to be heard,” said Emily Nelson, director of “Next to Normal.”
“It’s really upbeat. There’s beautiful music. It’s very interesting to address mental health with a pop rock score. The music sets the tone for each message of the song.”
“Next to Normal” features music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, who shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony Award for best original score, one of three Tonys bestowed upon the show’s original Broadway production.
“It’s about this family. From the outside world they look like the perfect American Dream family. However they argue with the mother/wife who is dealing with bipolar disorder and who is depressed,” said Nelson of Alsip.
“It shows appearances can be deceiving. No one knows what someone is actually going through beneath the surface.”
Nelson, who is also Beverly Arts Center’s box office manager, said she hopes the emotional nature of the show does not discourage people from attending.
“It’s a powerful story. I don’t want people to be drawn away just because it faces a hard issue. Art is supposed to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. I feel like the show is exactly what that will be,” she said.
“I hope that people walk in to this show with an open mind and realize that underneath it all this story is about hope. With everything that’s been going on with COVID and everything going on in someone’s life, ‘Next to Normal’ will absolutely resonate with every individual who is in the audience.
“Even if things are bad now, with time and support they do get better.”
“Next to Normal” originally was prepped for an April 2020 production but measures to mitigate coronavirus caused the show to be canceled right after blocking had been completed.
When Kevin Pease, new artistic director of Beverly Arts Center, asked Nelson to stage “Next to Normal,” original cast members Jake Feeney, Chicago resident Gabriella Smurawa and Orland Park resident Scott Sowinski, who is also district director for Hammond Arts & Performance Academy in Indiana, returned.
Ryan Michael Hamman, Meghan Hoyt and Jimmy Poynton also were cast for the 2022 production.
“They are one of the most talented groups I’ve gotten the chance to work with,” said Nelson about the cast, which also includes residents of Hickory Hills and the Homewood-Flossmoor area.
“They are such powerful storytellers. I’m proud to have them in this show. They’re a blast to be around.”
Stephen Lopez is stage manager for “Next to Normal,” which includes music direction by Carolyn Jean Brady, lighting design by Richard Keeley and sound design by Brian Tucker.
The show contains mature content and is recommended for ages 15 and older.
“Beverly Arts Center offers such a variety and different types of classes and entertainment to people,” Nelson said.
“We are definitely culturally diverse and just trying to provide the best for our South Side community and even people who want to come down and see us. We’re trying to create high-quality art.”
Nelson’s interest in performing arts began circa age 12.
“I got the theater bug in sixth grade when I auditioned for ‘Annie’ the musical at my future high school. They were asking for grammar school students for the orphan chorus,” said Nelson, an alumna of Queen of Peace High School in Burbank.
“Even though I was in the ensemble, I learned very important stuff about being a part of an ensemble and how it takes a team to do a show.”
Nelson most recently acted in productions for North Riverside Players and Moraine Valley Community College’s Academic Theater in Palos Hills, where she started assistant directing shows.
“What I like about directing is I get to bring something I envision in my head to the stage. The cast help you create that vision,” she said.
“The best part of directing is receiving a script and trying to come up with how I can bring this to life.”
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‘Next to Normal’
When: 7:30 p.m. March 18-19; 2 p.m. March 20
Where: Beverly Arts Center’s Baffes Theatre, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago
Tickets: $30; $27 for members
Information: 773-445-3838; thebeverlyartscenter.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.