BWW Interviews: Steffi Didomenicantonio Tackles Natalie in NEXT TO NORMAL

Clearwater Theatre's production of Next to Normal received rave reviews last year and is back again at Tarragon Theatre for a limited run this week. The Tony and Pulitizer Prize winning show tells the story of a family struggling to cope with issues surrounding mental illness, and packs a hefty emotional wallop. With some fantastic tunes and a heartfelt story, this is an eye opening musical likely to make you laugh and cry.

Joining the cast this time around are Steffi DiDomenicantonio, Marty Burt and David Coomber. We spoke with both David and Steffi about what the experience has been like. Adding tot he fun is the fact that David and Steffi have known each other since they were eight years old, bringing a unique chemistry to their roles as Henry and Natalie. Today Steffi talks to BWW about her Next to Normal journey, the emotional nature of the show and meeting Alice Ripley:

First, congratulations on joining Clearwater Theatre's Next to Normal!

Thank you! It's really exciting to be a part of this intimate telling of this heavy and hopeful story.

We heard brilliant things about this production last year - what's it like joining a cast that has done this before? Has it been a challenging experience?

I had the privilege of playing the role of Natalie in the Manitoba Theatre Center's production of Next to Normal last year, so having that experience under my belt was really helpful and insightful going into the rehearsal process for Clearwater's production. It was really interesting to create the show from the ground up all over again with new cast members and a fresh view on the story, thanks to Kate Stevenson's awesome direction. The most exciting part of the process was creating new relationships with the new cast members on stage.

Have you both seen the production before? If so, when and where?

I've had the privilege of seeing Next to Normal a few times with a few different casts! I first saw it on Broadway after it swept the Tony Awards; I had gotten a standing room only ticket in the back of the theatre and it turns out I knew the sound guy working on the show and he ended up giving me an available seat in the first few rows! Then, I had the chance of seeing the National Tour in Toronto... And got to meet Alice Ripley- the Tony Winner, in the flesh!- thanks to a Spring Awakening friend of mine, Emma Hunton. I also saw Clearwater's production of the show last year!

This show deals with some incredibly difficult subject matter - how do you get (and stay) in that headspace for the show but keep your bubbly personalities intact?

This show kind of feels like running a marathon. I'm not a dark and pessimistic teenager in everyday life (even though my mom still thinks so) and so I always have to take a moment to myself before and after the show to get in Natalie's shoes (literally and metaphorically) before I step onstage.

Do you think people who've had personal experiences with mental illness should be concerned about coming to the show, or embrace it as a way to raise awareness about an important issue?

What's amazing about this show is that it depicts mental illness in a really honest way and alleviates the stigma associated with it. I would encourage anyone who's had personal experiences with bi-P

polar disorder to see the show and embrace the beauty and hopeful message the story has to offer. There will be light!

Do you have a favourite song? Which song is the hardest for you to perform?

I have so many favorite songs! But two of my personal favorites are "Wish I Were Here" and "Catch Me I'm Falling". I find the hardest songs to perform are probably Hey #1, Hey #2 and Hey #3 because I hate rejecting David Coomber's Henry every night! It's the worst! Henry is just so sweet, its hard to believe that Natalie rejects him that many times. Also, a little fun fact: I've known David since I was 8 years old. We were in the same acting classes growing up and I always admired his talent so much.

If you could play one other character in the show (gender/age not important) who would it be and why?

When I get older, I would love to have chance to tackle the role of Diana. It would be such a great challenge to carry this kind of show. If I were a strapping young gentleman like James Daly, I would love to play Gabe! Gabe is such an interesting part because he's a sweet as well as manipulative and malicious presence throughout the show.

Finally, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come out and see the show?

I would encourage all of the younglings to come see the show for so many reasons, one of them being that the music is absolutely incredible! You'll want to listen to those songs over and over again after you leave the theatre. My actor friends who don't like musical theatre saw it and absolutely loved the show! It's also the first musical to tell a really good 21st century story for our generation. I would also encourage all of the teenaged girls to come see the show because the boys in our cast are super handsome!

When and Where?

Next to Normal

Tarragon Theatre

On now until June 16th, 2013

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office or online at https://tickets.tarragontheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login&event=0.

For more information, visit their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/clearwatertheatrecompany.