Ripley & d'Arcy James in 'Next to Normal' 2nd Stage Musical

Second Stage Theatre has announced that Tony nominees Alice Ripley and Brian D'Arcy James will star in their upcoming musical, Next to Normal, featuring music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by two-time Tony nominee Michael Greif.  Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Next to Normal will begin previews on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street) and officially open on Wednesday, February 13, 2008.  Tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by calling the Second Stage Theatre Box Office at 212-246-4422 or online at www.2ST.com.

"In this over-stimulated and pharmaceutically-obsessed world, one almost average suburban family comes to grips with a long buried secret in this haunting and darkly funny new musical.  With provocative lyrics and an electrifying score, Next to Normal explores the lengths to which we'll go to keep ourselves sane and our families in place," describe press notes.

Next to Normal will feature set design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Jeff Mahshie, lighting design by Kevin Adams and sound design by Brian Ronan.  Musical staging will be by Sergio Trujillo.

Tickets are $80 and may be purchased by phoning 212-246-4422 or 800-766-6048 or online at www.2ST.com.   Patrons under age 25 may purchase a limited number of specially-priced $25 tickets in advance. A limited number of student rush tickets are $15 and are available 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Group tickets are available by phoning 212-889-4300 or 800-331-0472. Box-office hours are Monday, 10AM-6PM, Tuesday 10AM-7PM, Wednesday through Saturday, 10AM-8PM, and Sunday, 10AM-3PM. For more information, please visit www.2ST.com

Alice Ripley appeared in the original Broadway casts of King David (Disney), Side Show (Tony, Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress in a Musical), The Rocky Horror Show, James Joyce's The Dead, Sunset Boulevard, and The Who's Tommy.  Her off-Broadway and regional credits include Tell Me On a Sunday (Kennedy Center, Helen Hayes Award nomination), Company (Kennedy Center, Helen Hayes Award nomination), Shakespeare in Hollywood (Arena Stage, Helen Hayes Award nomination), Five Flights (Rattlestick Theatre Company), The Vagina Monologues, Li'l Abner (Encores!), Cather County (Playwrights Horizons), Nelly Bly (York Theatre), Rock Shore (O'Neill Theatre Center), On The Twentieth Century (Cutler Majestic, Boston), and The Baker's Wife (Papermill Playhouse).

Brian D'Arcy James most recently starred on Broadway in The Apple Tree with Kristen Chenoweth.  Recently Brian played the role of Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Broadway and originated the role of Brendan in the Broadway production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh.  He received a Tony nomination and Drama Desk nomination for his portrayal of Sidney Falco in the Broadway musical Sweet Smell of Success.  Other Broadway credits include Titanic, Carousel, Blood Brothers, Les Miserables (national tour).

Photos: Brian D'Arcy James and Alice Ripley

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