Mental illness proves a worthy subject for the 2008 musical
By Eric Marchese
The idea of building a stage musical around the subject of mental illness may seem unusual, but that’s exactly what Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt did with “Next to Normal.”
With book and lyrics by Yorkey and music by Kitt, the 2008 show covers such facets as depression, suicide, grief, the ethics of psychiatry, drug abuse, and the dark, often unseen aspects of suburban life.
The show’s focus is Diana, a wife and mother navigating life with bipolar disorder while trying to live a normal existence and maintain the effects her condition has on her husband and children.
Now, the show is on Cabrillo Playhouse’s schedule.
A small-cast dramedy that fits the bill
Michael Lopez, Cabrillo’s artistic director, is trying his hand at directing “Next to Normal” for the first time. He describes it as “an award-winning musical about a typical American family dealing with the daily aspects of a mother with mental health issues.”
“I was initially looking for a ‘dramedy’ that we would typically do in this time slot, and this show somehow came up in my periphery. I loved the show, the music, and also knew that it would be challenging. I also loved that it was a small cast.”
In the process of casting, Lopez sought “strong singers,” explaining, “The vocals in this show are very difficult. When you're doing harmonies and you are the only one on that part, you are really exposed if you’re wrong.”
“Of course, the acting is also very important,” he added. “I got lucky and I got all of it, as well as a cast that has great chemistry.”
His cast: Cindy Mendez as Diana, Jon Korbonski as her husband Dan, Braxton McGrath as their son Gabe, Sammy Spiegler as their daughter Natalie, Ramy Alhawari as Natalie’s classmate Henry, and Kathy Villanueva in the dual roles of Diana’s psychiatrists, Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine.
Set design proves a challenge
He calls the set the biggest challenge in that “it requires multiple locations. I had to come up with a concept that will show a change of locations without having to build multiple sets.”
Set designer Rebecca Rubino is giving Lopez everything he needs to fulfill the show’s themes.
Lopez says the most enjoyable aspects of directing the show are “overcoming the challenges of the show and having a great cast.” He praised the cast as “truly professional, on time to rehearsals, always prepared, coming back each day improved from the previous rehearsal, and having a live band for this show.”
The production and design team members are set designer Rubino, Brian Vidales handling set construction and Sarah Kemp as set painter; Nicholas Rudder as costume designer and props manager; lighting designer Jeremy Plant; and stage manager Lisa Garcia.
Songs and score communicate the show’s concepts
How do the songs and score communicate the issues of mental illness? “Most of the songs are either dialogue or internal monologues of the characters feelings and reactions to the situations.”
David Diiorio is not only working as musical director, but also as keyboard player and conductor of onstage musicians David Lopez on guitar, drummer Joseph Pena, violinist Eric Romero, and cellist Mimi Parker.
Lopez said that as director, he’s finding that “tempos and pauses in the music are affecting the story a lot,” enhancing the show’s themes.
Keeping love visible
The primary themes are “family, love, and heart.” To enhance these themes or bring them to the attention of your audiences, Lopez and company “make sure that love is always visible throughout the show.”
Do any of these themes resonate with Cabrillo as a theater company or with Lopez as director?
“I personally have not had to deal directly with mental health around me, but we all know that these issues are not always visible or known. It is something that I know is becoming more visible, and to be able to present this show, which is not done very often, is a privilege.”
What does the show have to say about mental illness? “Next to Normal” “brings the issue of mental illness and its effect on a family straight forward without pulling punches. The treatment of mental illness has progressed since this show premiered, but it still brings it all out in the open.”
What can Lopez, cast and crew do with the show to create something singular and/or memorable for your audiences?
“Telling this story in a way that the small stage and limited sets all fade away, and being true to the story and making the characters real.”
Eric Marchese has written about numerous subjects for more than 40 years as a freelance and staff journalist at a wide variety of publications, but is best known as a critic, feature writer and news reporter covering theater and the arts throughout Orange County and beyond.
‘Next to Normal’
Cabrillo Playhouse
202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente
January 17 - February 9, 2025
(949) 492-0465, CabrilloPlayhouse.org