Susie McMonagle to Lead NEXT TO NORMAL at Drury Lane Theatre; Full Cast Announced!

Drury Lane Theatre will present the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, previewing August 15, opening August 22, and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as "Diana" ("Fantine" in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Dan" (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

NEXT TO NORMAL has been hailed as a "Brave, breathtaking musical!" by The New York Times; "An emotional powerhouse. The best musical of the season-by a mile. It'll pin you to your seat!" by Rolling Stone; "Uplifting, marvelous, groundbreaking!" by the Los Angeles Times; and "The future of American Musicals!" by The Washington Post. NEXT TO NORMAL opened off-Broadway in 2008 and moved to Broadway in April of 2009. The groundbreaking production is one of only eight musicals in history to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. NEXT TO NORMAL was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, including Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations. The musical features a Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey and Music by Tom Kitt (American Idiot).

The riveting story is an unconscious dissection of a "normal" suburban American family. Driven by a provocative score featuring more than 30 original pop/rock songs, the narrative digs into the household's foundation, unearthing skeletons of the past. This is a musical that asks the question: Can the seemingly perfect family survive an insurmountable event and tender the untenable? NEXT TO NORMAL is one family's unflinching, authentic and ultimately hopeful journey through the trials and tribulations of modern life.

NEXT TO NORMAL also stars Skyler Adams as "Henry" ("Claude" in Hair at The Paramount Theatre and The Adventures of Pinocchio at Chicago Shakespeare); Callie Johnson as "Natalie" (Saloon at Peninsula Players and Porchlight Music Theatre's Pal Joey); Colte Julian as "Dr. Fine"/"Madden" (Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater) and Josh Tolle as "Gabe."

Jeff Award nominee Ben Johnson serves as Musical Director of NEXT TO NORMAL (Vocal Coach for the National Tour of The Lion King; The Goodbye Girl, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Mame at Drury Lane Theatre; and Passion at Chicago Shakespeare). The production is choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader (Hairspray at Drury Lane Theatre). The intricate set by Scenic Designer Scott Davis (Sunset Boulevard at Drury Lane Theatre and Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare) is a perfect replica of suburban America. Lighting Design is by Heather Gilbert. Costume Design is by Sally Dolembo. Prop Design is by Nick Haggestad. Sound Design is by Jeff Award winner Ray Nardelli (Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theater).

The performance schedule for NEXT TO NORMAL is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35) and 8 p.m. ($45), Fridays at 8 p.m. ($49), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($49), and 8:30 p.m. ($49), and Sundays at 2 p.m. ($49), and 6 p.m. ($45). Lunch and dinner theatre packages range from $50 to $74 depending on the day of the week. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and Senior Citizens start at $32 for matinees and $47 for a matinee luncheon package. For reservations call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at800.745.3000 or visit www.drurylane.com.