The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning rock musical Next to Normal will premiere in Adelaide in May 2012 at the State Opera Studio.
On the evening of the 24th of April the producers of the show, Six Foot Something Productions and The Factory launched the show at the Promethean Theatre to a packed room of supporters, guests and invited media.
The production, which explores mental illness in a suburban family context, is also supported by, and raising money for MIFSA - The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia. The show will be donating $1 from every ticket sale to the foundation whilst also raising money through its message.
The show is “dramatic, mold smashing theatre that deals with serious mental health issues”, says director and designer David Lampard.
“It is musical theatre that is absolutely written for ‘now’, engaging with ideas and emotions that are all too frequently experienced by us and those around us, but rarely given any serious stage time – especially in a musical.”
Next to Normal follows the life of a suburban mother dealing with a worsening bipolar disorder, and how that condition and its treatment (including psychoactive drugs and electro convulsive therapy) affect her family.
The musical opened on Broadway in 2009 and won three Tony awards including Best Original Score. It also received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2010) – one of only eight musicals to ever receive this award.
The Adelaide season will draw on local talent to create and stage a thrilling and brave visual world and emotionally-rich musical soundscape.
“David (Lampard) is becoming well-known for his extravagant, experimental – but always totally approachable – theatre designs and musical director Peter John’s orchestras are phenomenally sublime confections”, said co-producer Kate Warren.
The stellar all-Australian cast will include: Rosie Hosking as Diana, Paul Talbot as Dan, Mitchell Sanfilippo as Gabe, Emma Bargery as Natalie, Scott Reynolds as Henry and Rod Schultz as Doctor Madden / Doctor Fine.
The musical opens in less than 2 weeks and tickets are now on sale. For more information, or to book for this exciting premiere go to next2normal.com.au or book at BASS.
When: 9 to 26 May
Where: State Opera Studio
Bookings: next2normal.com.au or BASS
