Andrea Rivette and Duke Lafoon to Lead Cadence Theatre Company & Virginia Repertory Theatre's NEXT TO NORMAL

Cadence Theatre Company, in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre, closes its 2012/13 Season with the emotionally packed Broadway rock-musical Next to Normal. Performances will begin at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Marjorie Arenstein Stage on Thursday, April 25, 2013 and run for four weeks only through Saturday, May 18, 2013. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal examines the powerful story of Diana, a suburban housewife suffering with bipolar disorder, and the effects of that illness on her family. This is the groundbreaking musical that leaves audiences astounded and uplifted at the difference that understanding, hope, and encouragement makes in our lives. Cadence Theatre Company and Virginia Rep will be partnering with NAMI, The VCU Department of Psychiatry and the ReelAbilities Film Festival for this production.

Directed by Virginia Rep Associate Artistic Director Chase Kniffen, the production will star Andrea Rivette (Broadway's Miss Saigon and Jekyll & Hyde and Virginia Rep's White Christmas) as Diana and Duke Lafoon (Westchester Broadway Theatre's A Wonderful Life and Virginia Rep's Doubt) as Dan. The impressive cast of six includes Christie Jackson, Terence Sullivan, Russell Rowland and John Mincks.

Next to Normal features Music by Tom Kitt and Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The award-winning creative team includes Kim Fox (music direction), Brian C. Barker (scenic design), K. Jenna Ferree (light design) and Sue Griffin (costume design). The original score is performed by a live rock band conducted by Kim Fox.

Next to Normal is the highly acclaimed, groundbreaking rock-musical "that pushe[d] Broadway in new directions" according to Rolling Stone, and that The New York Times called "much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical." With a thrilling contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. It's the uplifting story of a mother struggling with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family; the pulling together as one to face and conquer such crucial human issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and, perhaps the most complicated of all, modern suburban life.

Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal also won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Original Score, and 2009 Tony Award nominations for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical.

The mission of Cadence Theatre Company (CTC) is to inspire and transform our community by presenting contemporary, award-winning plays and musicals that uplift the spirit, challenge the mind, and honor both our individuality and our shared humanity. In pursuing its mission with a commitment to artistic excellence, CTC in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre, presents a three-show season that celebrates the world's most renowned playwrights, composers, and lyricists. CTC is further dedicated to accomplishing its mission by offering a variety of original educational programs and activities that foster inclusion, empathy, and critical dialog across age, gender, and cultural ancestry.

Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combined the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia's leading professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals including classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep's Children's Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and Virginia Rep's Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern.