The Sandbox Collective is bravely portraying the pain of grieving, losing, and dealing with mental illness through the award-winning Broadway musical, "Next to Normal."
It tells the emotive story of a mother, Diana Goodman, who is struggling with bipolar disorder and how her family deals with it.
"Next to Normal" first debuted on Broadway in 2009, with the book and lyrics written by Brian Yorkey and the music composed by Tom Kitt.
It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2010 and the Best Original Musical Score, Best Orchestration, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Musical) at the 2009 Tony Awards.
Meanwhile, the Manila staging is produced and directed by Toff De Venecia, while Ejay Yatcho is the musical director. It will run until February 23 at the Power Mac Center Blackbox Theater in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati.
Here are some of the reasons why the show is a must-watch:
1. Spectacular cast members
"Next to Normal" has a good mix of veterans and a new breed of theater stars that will take you into a whole new realm and an emotional rollercoaster ride.
Among the lead stars are Shiela Valderrama and Nikki Valdez, who will be alternating for the role of Diana Goodman. OJ Mariano and Floyd Tena will alternate in the role of the husband, Dan.
Mariano, Sheena Belarmino, and Jam Binay will play Natalie, the daughter.
Vino Mabalot and Benedix Ramos as Gabe Goodman, Omar Uddin and Davy Narciso as Henry, and Jef Flores as Dr. Madden are also among the cast.
2. Iconic songs and touching lyrics
This rock musical will hit you hard with its songs and lyrics. A bunch of quotable lines will definitely leave or live with you as the show ends.
Among the notable songs are "Just Another Day," "Perfect For You," "I'm Alive," and "Maybe."
3. Let yourself out for a good cry
Raw, beautiful, yet painful. The actors are in their own world, but the audience could feel their pain. The story itself will have you thinking, "It's not easy to deal with such illness."
A tissue upon entering the theater is a must-have in this musical. Don't say I didn't warn you!
4. Understanding family members
As they say, you don't know someone unless you're in their shoes, so it's always better to be kind, especially to our family members.
This musical highlights that communication is important in family and other relationships. Problems may sometimes seem unsolvable, but having a shoulder to cry and an ear to vent to can make a difference.
As the song says, a life that's normal is too far away; at least, something next to normal is what we can try.
"Next to Normal" tickets are available via Ticket2Me, with prices starting from P2,500. You can check out the schedule of the cast below.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
4 weeks ago
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