[NEohioPAL] Cleveland's Acclaimed premiere: Next to Normal: Final Weekend

[Martin Friedman]

Lakeland Civic Theatre's intimate production of 'Next to Normal' sets the bar high 
 “The first local “Next to Normal” of 2013 sets a high standard. As directed by Martin Friedman, the Lakeland Civic Theatre’s production pierces the heart of the subject and draws the audience deeply into the journey of a mother suffering from bipolar disorder….
 The Lakeland production underlines the central issues in striking visual terms. Trad A Burns’ set is a phalanx of lamps, chandeliers and overlapping lines, emblems fro brain wavesand the nerve endings constantly on edge in the interactions of the mother (Diana), her family, her doctors and her daughter’s boyfriend ….
 The power of the show lies in its unstinting – and, yes, entertaining – portrayal of the impact of mental distress on everyone in Diana’s purview. 
 Those emotions often reached the boiling point in the national touring production… . But seeing the show in an intimate space, such as the theatre in Lakeland’s Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, thrusts the viewer directly into the roller coaster of moods and impressions.
 With so many buldbs turned on and off throughout the show, Burns’ lighting provides apt symbolism for the journey from darkness to illumination. The final song in “Next to Normal” happens to be “Light,” an anthem of hope in a musical about mental illness that is – of all things – exhilarating.”  Donald Rosenberg, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
 “Next to Normal,” a rock musical about mental illness, could easily be a downer, but the luminous Lakeland Civic Theatre production of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics) proved an exhilarating high.                                                                                                                            Fran Heller, Cleveland Jewish News
 
I saw the Broadway and PlayhouseSquare productions of this revolutionary musical, and the intimacy, clarity and raw emotional power of this unforgettable production surpassed both prior experiences. Everything about this remarkable production smacked of greatness.
Director Martin Friedman’s boldly original concept and staging; set and lighting genius Trad A Burns’ hypnotic play of light and darkness; the pulsating music of musical director Jordan Cooper and the orchestra, and a bravura ensemble of penetrating characterizations and rich vocals held me in thrall throughout."
"The Lakeland production, under the adept direction of Martin Friedman, with the set and light innovations by Trad Burns, is mesmerizing....The composite cast is outstanding.  Amiee Collier wraps herself in the role of Dianna.  She is so real that the character’s pain is Collier’s pain.  She sings meanings, not words.  She makes us writhe in suffering, her suffering.  This is a performance which rivals Clevelander Alice Ripley’s amazing Tony winning Broadway presentation."Roy Berko, Cool Cleveland
 
"Next to Normal” is most certainly somber and thought-provoking and, under Martin Friedman’s sensitive direction, this production is emotionally taxing and thoroughly engaging from start to finish.  It is so engaging that you forget to blink during much of the show and forget to breathe during most of it.  It is so emotionally taxing that the person you hear fighting back tears throughout the performance is you" 
 Bob Abelman, News-Herald 
 
 
 "The vocals are tight, the music is incredible, the subject matter is gut-wrenching, the cast is brilliant, the themes are deep, the staging remarkable and Dr. Martin Friedman's direction is spot on. Next to Normal at Lakeland Civic Theatre is a DO NOT MISS production."
Kory, CBS Radio, WDOK-102
 
Lakeland Theatre
announces
the Northeast Ohio professional premiere 
of the PULITZER-PRIZEwinning 
next to normal
 
Music byTom Kitt
Book and Lyrics byBrian Yorkey
 
The Cast
Diana: Amiee Collier
Dan: Rick McGuigan
Natalie: Emma Wahl
Henry: Pat Miller
Gabriel: Ben Donahoo 
Dr Fine/Madden: Tim Allen
 
Directed byMartin Friedman
Set and Lighting Design byTrad A Burns
Musical Direction byJordan Cooper
Costumes Designed byStephanie Fisher
Sound Designed byR. Eric Simna
Production Stage ManagerJoel Rathbone
Next to Normal: Following their acclaimed productions of Sweeney Todd, Assassins, Anyone Can Whistle and Death of a Salesman, set and lighting designer Trad A Burns and Friedman again pick up the gauntlet to present their take on the Pulitzer Prize-winning examination of mental illness and the family in Next to Normal. With music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, this 2008 Tony Award-winning musical concerns a mother whose struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry and suburban life. According to the Pulitzer Board, Next to Normal is a "powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals." 
Production Dates: Next to Normal will open on Friday, February 1and run through February 17, 2013. There will be 9 performances over this period. 
Friday, February 15 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, February 16 @ 7:30pm
Sunday, February 17 @ 2:00pm
 
Immediately following each performance there will be a post-play discussion.  
 
For more information please feel free to either email me, Martin Friedman, at martinfriedman98 at yahoo.comor call my cell 216/233-5441. 
 
Ticket Prices:$15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for students. For ticket reservations call 
440. 525. 7134. 　Group rates are available. 
 

DIRECTIONS TO LAKELAND:Take I90 east and exit at the second exit, Route#306. Turn right (south) on Rt. #306. Turn left into the Lakeland Community College, the first light. Get in the right lane in this access road. Turn right at the stop sign. Turn right at the next stop sign. Turn left into the faculty/staff parking lot. Parking in the Faculty/Staff parking lot is free after 7:00pm. The gate will open at 7:00pm. Park at the other end of the parking lot. The PAC is just past and to the left of the Clocktower. 
 
 






 

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