NEXT TO NORMAL to Play The Merc, 7/11-13

The startling, acclaimed rock musical Next to Normal, starring Susan Jordan DeLeon and Victor Hernandez, will kick off Cabaret at The Merc's 2014 brand new Summer Series on a dramatic high note, playing for ONE-WEEKEND-ONLY! Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards (Best Score, Best Actress in a Musical, and Best Orchestrations), Next to Normal features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Fresh from a remarkable Broadway run comes one of the most lauded musicals of the new century about an American family on the brink. This emotional tour de force features provocative lyrics and an electrifying score.

The cast is led by long time San Diego actress Susan Jordan Deleon (Disney's Beauty & The Beast, 1st Natl. Tour; Little Women, SDSU; Baby, NCR) in the role of Diana. Joining her onstage is Victor Hernandez as Dan who recently played Dan at Seven Angels Theater, other credits include (Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde and Corny Collins in the West Coast Regional Premiere of Hairspray). Rounding out the rest of the family is Susan's real-life daughter, Jordan Deleon (13 the musical, Fine Arts Network; Parade, Grossmont College; LES MISERABLES, Rent, San Diego Junior Theatre; Making it on Broadway Workshop) as Natalie and Zack Zumbek, a Senior Musical Theater student at Oklahoma City University (Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game, Best Actor Finalist on Broadway and Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Mille) will be playing the role of Gabe. David Baca, currently a Music Major at Occidental College in Los Angeles (Jack in Into The Woods, Brother in Joseph and the Amazing...) joins the cast as Natalie's boyfriend, Henry. Matthew Malecki (Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Performance Riverside and featured ensemble in The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Los Angeles at Rockwell Table and Stage) plays the role of Doctor Madden.

Audiences have come to love the monthly series by Producers Jordan Beck and J. Scott Lapp, that is presented on the last Sunday of every month! Now, these up and coming theatrical heavy weights are expanding the brand with their first annual Summer Series of fully produced musicals in an intimate, immersive environment! "We're excited to bring an immersive, innovative new style of musical theater to Temecula! Our audiences deserve a high-quality, consistent, professional company and that's what we're striving to bring," said Lapp. "We're really trying to push the boundaries of theater and what can be done in this untapped area. I'm thrilled that we're one of the few companies around to be offering equity contracts. We want to set ourselves apart, I believe we're off to a great start!" said Beck. For more information, visit www.CabaretAtTheMerc.com

Next to Normal will play one weekend only, Friday July 11, Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13th 2014 at The Merc in Temecula, California. Tickets are priced at $30.00 and can be purchased by visiting www.CabaretAtTheMerc.com or www.TemeculaTheater.org or by calling the Old Town Community Theater Box Office at 1-866-653-8696.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lead Performer in a Musical - Top 3

1. LJ Benet - The Lost Boys, A New Musical

20% of votes

2. Joshua Henry - Ragtime

16.8% of votes

3. Sam Tutty - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

9.6% of votes

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