Prepare to be spellbound by the award-winning musical Next to Normal, playing this weekend at the Elgin Community College Arts Center.
Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner for Best Musical Score, Next to Normal is thrilling, courageous and timely storytelling at its best, all set to a contemporary rock music score.
Nothing has to be perfect. Just Next to Normal.
Meet the Goodmans. From outside, they are just another normal suburban family. Inside? They’re anything but. Diane, the mother, suffers from bipolar disorder, and her struggles with delusions and depression are affecting everyone in her family. Her husband, Dan, longs for the wife he once knew and to get his family back to “Better than Before.” Diane’s daughter, Natalie, tries to cope but feels like an “Invisible Girl.” With the help of psychiatrist Dr. Madden, Diana and her family hope there’s a “Light in the Dark.” But, the meaning of “Just Another Day” is different for everyone.
How far will two parents go to keep their family’s world intact?
Tickets are $22 ($20 for seniors and students) and are available here.
Note: “Next to Normal” contains adult language and deals explicitly with mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and grief. The production includes references to a suicide attempt, the death of a child, and the use of psychiatric medication. Additionally, there will be flashing lights, strobe effects, and haze used during the performance. Viewer discretion is advised.
Elgin Community College Arts Center is located at 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin.
