TheaterWorks Announces Complete Cast for NEXT TO NORMAL

TheaterWorks (Rob Ruggiero, Producing Artistic Director) announced complete casting today for NEXT TO NORMAL the 3rd show of TheaterWorks 31st Season. The production runs March 23 through April 30, 2017.

The cast features Tony nominated Christiane Noll (Diana) and Australia's David Harris (Dan) in the Pulitzer Prize winning drama with music by Tom Kitt and book & lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Christiane is familiar to Connecticut audiences for her work at Goodspeed, Shubert, The Bushnell and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. David has been charming Australian audiences for years but recently relocated to New York. Local audiences have seen him in Terrance Mann's Les Miserable at Connecticut Repertory Theatre and Goodspeed's Anything Goes.

The cast also includes newcomers Maya Keleher (Natalie), John Cardoza (Gabe), J.D. Daw (Dr Madden), and Nick Sacks (Henry).

Rob says, "I couldn't be more excited to bring this musical to TheaterWorks - with complete orchestration this will be the largest musical produced in our history. We have put together a stellar cast lead by Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll and popular Australian artist David Harris. We are also introducing some incredible new talent. This brilliantly structured musical is relevant, provocative and entertaining and I am sure it will be experienced through a new lens in our very intimate space".

NEXT TO NORMAL will be directed by Rob Ruggiero. TheaterWorks' Producing Associate Taneisha Duggan says: "What I admire most about Rob's work is his mastery in pulling us deep into the relationships of a story. But - what will be new to our audiences is how he brings this same sensibility to musicals. It's no wonder that he's garnered such acclaim nationally and internationally, as he's able to take the vibrancy of a musical and root it in the stories of the characters we grow to love."

NEXT TO NORMAL follows the story of Diana Goodman, a suburban mom, as she comes to terms with her bipolar disorder and the effect her struggle has on her family. It is a gripping and honest portrayal of how one suburban family grapples with mental illness touching on issues such as grieving, suicide, drug abuse and ethics in modern psychiatry. This contemporary musical deals tenderly with how far two parents will go to keep their family's world intact.

Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards, NEXT TO NORMAL is one of the most lauded musicals of a generation. This emotional tour de force features provocative lyrics and an electrifying score that includes more than 30 original songs.

The creative team includes Adam Souza (Music Director), Wilson Chin (Set Design), Tricia Barsamian (Costume Design), John Lasiter (Lighting Design), and Ed Chapin (Sound Design).

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